What Is One Man's Trash

Santa Creeps Me Out

2012-01-27T09:06:00.000-08:00

Sledding

2012-01-26T09:02:00.000-08:00

I think he liked it? :)

Tree Hunt

2012-01-25T06:48:00.000-08:00

We went tree hunting with a group of other families (Allen's, Quigley's, Godfrey's)where our collective lump of children equalled 9. That amounted to a lot of snow playing, squealing, and turns being taken of crying (mostly from the cold, I think)

Alden pulled the classic move of walking just outside the warmth of the circle around the fire to a clearing in the trees to poo just moments after getting him suited up in layers of borrowed snow clothes.

It was a great time and every family found their tree for the season.

His Body is a Temple

2012-01-11T09:52:00.000-08:00

Ever since Dustin made jerky out of the deer he killed this year, I've heard nothing but sighs of happiness as he gnaws on a piece after dinner. And then there is the whimpers of distress later in the night while we try to sleep. Night after night he wonders why his stomach hurts so bad. Every evening he worries in the darkness over if he has an ulcer. Each morning he awakens as if nothing has happened and gets right back to chewing on a piece of dehydrated, salty tendon.
We had just finished watching a movie when I started into my weekly moan about how I need to go to bed earlier. He started into his literally belly aching. Well, I know what my problem is but this dude is in straight-up denial. His body is a temple. Of doom.

Party Animals

2012-01-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

A brief but telling glimpse into our sons' college days...

Milk kegger at the Greek pledge house Wanna Hug A Mama (I)(.)(.)

Rock out 'til you konk out

Cold pizza breakfast in boxer shorts

Thanky Day

2011-12-20T09:28:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it is so random who will gather together. I love that my family is so close that we can all join efforts and enjoy this time of year. We each bring our talents to the table.

Love the decorations that my sis-in-law, Megan, made.

Pies, cakes, and brownie dollops. Duh-lish!

Nothing says "comfy" like laying on your cousin.

Ears to You

2011-12-14T08:59:00.000-08:00

Grants Pass Half Marathon

2011-12-13T13:15:00.000-08:00

Nearly two months ago, I ran in the Grants Pass Half Marathon. The swag bag for the event was loaded with goodies and I was super impressed with the quality of warm up jacket. Love the colors, love the luxe-ness, love the Grants Pass Pride!

I was already pretty proud of myself for running at all and had pretty low expectations for killing the time. I just wanted to feel the pavement under my feet and take in the course. It started at the All Sports park, over the pedestrian foot bridge, over the 6th St. Bridge, up and around G. St, and back to the All Sports Park. That took care of about 4 miles. Then down Lower River Road and back Upper River Road. I have been driving that loop for a looooong time. I went to elementary school out that way and even lived on the deadly curve on Lower River Rd. There are some fond memories on that road and now I have one more to add to it. The course was even, relatively flat, and smooth. I finished the race almost before I knew it. 13.1 miles in the bag on a Saturday morning.

I crossed the finish line 10 minutes earlier than the other half marathon I ran BACK WHEN I WAS 26! How's that for killing time? Game on, Aging Mom Body! The time on the clock behind me is 10 minutes AFTER I had finished since my cheering section was a bit late for my crossing. No big whoop! They were there in the beginning of the race and later on 6th St. Alden was so confused as to why his mama was running toward him and then away from him without stopping to hug.

Gettin' My Hairs Did

2011-12-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

Growing up and, until about 5 years ago, I knew that I probably wasn't going to have children but - in the event that I change my mind - I did know that I wanted to have long, rock and roll, sexy mom hair. I loved the long golden mane of a mom of some family friends had. Suzie could totally pull of the look. Me? Not so much. But I tried it anyway for a couple of years.

I've run the gamut of hair styles and colors. I've done permed bangs (thank you, second grade), I've had the obligatory mullet (thank you, fourth grade), I've tried razor cuts, near crew cuts, faux hawks, bottle blond (thank you, hair crumbling off at the top on my head at 19), bangs part two (no thanks, twenty-two), henna, braids, blah, blah, blah. Each style fit for the time and I was mostly happy with the results. Mostly.

But now I am super pumped!

I Want to Be Two Years Old

2011-12-09T13:30:00.000-08:00

I Can't NOT Post These Pictures

2011-12-08T14:56:00.000-08:00

Orange You Glad

2011-12-06T12:18:00.000-08:00

To know me is to know I am more than fond of the color orange. So none of us should be surprised that Alden is really fond of it, too. Right down to his hair! I had picked out these pj's months ago hoping that he might like them. He do, he do!

Pouty Pants

2011-11-08T09:30:00.000-08:00

So far our version of the "terrible twos" is not too intense. Alden is mild in comparison to other kids but he does need a bit more hugging. I'll take it!

Trick or Treat and No Trust

2011-11-02T09:10:00.000-07:00

This year we posed as a work crew. Dustin was Construction Foreman. I was Lunch Lady. And Alden was Digger Operator. We had all of the gear except for the hairnets and knee high hosiery. Dustin fashioned a vehicle for Alden (which he refused to wear) and we were off to the Allen's Annual Halloween Party.

We need the profile picture from Shaunna where D and I are looking at each other. His F.U.P.A. and my BOOBS fit together like a yin and yang symbol. That's when you know it's real, y'all.

Parked for the night (but only after dragging it around the neighborhood in hopes of Alden trying it out again).

It is pretty difficult to gather kids in the first place but even more so when they are awake late on a school night, fueled by awesome outfits, and free candy. Tonight we spooked them into one room and got nearly all (Claire Bear? Where are you?)

Alden really got into Halloween this year. Last year was an exercise of just newly walking and learning to knock on doors. This year, he could knock, mutter "Trigger Trees" and "Sank You". He liked the candy portion of the exchange and would look back over his shoulder as he walked away, completely shocked that those people just gave him candy. For no reason! It must have something to do with his facial hair? Yes, that's it.

Alden had been content with either Dustin or myself escorting him to the front doors but then I blew it by trying to convince him to drop the candy in the bag we had. After falling twice in the dark and not catching himself because his tiny hands were fused to candy grenades, I tried to take the candy from him. That is not easy like the old saying goes. He shrieked and ran away from me saying "I no trust". Me? Or the bag? Or both, I asked? He confirmed with "I not trusting". And that was that.

Fishing Buddies

2011-10-17T07:51:00.000-07:00

These two are bound going to get a lot of fishing in at this rate. Look at this whopper! Bro-in-law Max is liking the fishing. Dustin is liking that someone other than he likes fishing, now. And I am liking the fresh fish to over cook.

Hide-and-Seek

2011-10-13T07:26:00.000-07:00

Wheeeeeere's Alden?

I can't find him ANYWHERE! I hope he comes back soon... I miss him.

He can stand here for over five minutes letting the tension and anticipation build until his toes are actually tapping. He's thinking, "Mama is so silly. I am pulling a fast one on her big time!"

Things on Faces

2011-10-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

Ok. Picking up where I left off in AUGUST, my blog has decided to let me back in. My email account that had been linked to the blog had been hacked. I couldn't get into either account and have been cursing up a storm since. Then, on attempt #78, I got in this morning at 6:22 a.m. I'm still in shock.
Anyhow, the following is from May-ish when we were still in Seattle and Dustin was trying something new...

It is not like me to rush into things. I get an idea and I think about it. For a long time and from many angles. I then make a decision. And then doubt that decision and then start over. With that being said, I am changing my rules and jumping ahead of myself. I am pleased to introduce you to the new man in my life... Moustache.

For over a month now, Dustin has been growing out Moustache for me. He has been asked to allow Moustache into our lives for some time now. I have an odd fondness for moustaches. Don't tell me it a father-issue thing, it's a Hulk Hogan thang. Hubba-hubba, right? I love a good moustache on a dude that can treat it right.

Do the Thomas Dance

2011-08-17T07:46:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to keep Alden shielded from things like Barney, The Wiggles (terrifyingly odd men with Australian accents dancing to long and complex songs), and Thomas the Tank Engine. I was trying to keep him interested in simple things like rocks and sticks and books. Selfishly, I didn't want to have a house filled with gadgets and commercialized toys that I would inevitably step on in the night and that would possibly become boring in too short of time.
Well, then enter in the era of working from home. I make over 150 phone calls each day and need to have a relatively quiet back ground so I can a) maintain professionalism, b) hear, c) not be distracted, and d) hear. Alden likes to play and talk and sing just two feet from me or often sitting right on my lap. I turned to our local Seattle library to borrow some educational videos and books on tape. We tried The Wiggles (which Dustin banned for Alden and Alden's future children), we tried Lamb Chop (a personal favorite of mine), and Pat the Bunny which is a somber look into the 3-D world of the classic touch-and-feel book. Lastly, we found Thomas. And life hasn't been the same since.

See? What do I know about the joy of children? How can you deny that? I stand corrected.

Vintage Alden

2011-08-16T07:40:00.000-07:00

This is a decades old white poly tee with fine point red and blue stripes. Which are enhanced by the blue cloth diaper and the model's red hair.
1972 called and wants their baby back.

Second Year of Swimming Lessons

2011-08-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Alden loves "SHIMMING" so much that he gets all worked up the night before a lesson and practices in the bath tub. We have to spell "SHIMMING" so he can't gather what we are talking about.

This summer, we were lucky to get into the very popular Saturday morning class. It's popular for many reasons but, I think for moms everywhere, it is coveted because it gets the dudes out of the house for a precious hour on a weekend. Love it!

Copper Locks that, when wet, drizzle down to his upper scapula. Tough guy.

Too Tight

2011-08-11T10:12:00.000-07:00

Easter Weekend

2011-08-10T09:18:00.000-07:00

Alden may not have entirely understood what was going on during the Easter holiday but he now thinks that all eggs have candy in them.

Sequim-ming Weekend

2011-08-09T11:18:00.000-07:00

Being the youngest in my family, a Pieces, and sort-of (read: completely) obsessive-compulsive makes it a bit difficult for me to do things out of order. That includes blogging. So, I have to back track and tell you about life that happened clear back in February. Don't worry, we'll get caught up soon because of all of the aforementioned tics I have...

About six months ago, Seattle had one of the windiest weekends on record. The wind was so strong that folks were having the inside-out umbrella moments and no jacket was strong enough to keep the biting cold away. We tried to have a nice family walk to a local breakfast spot and nearly lost Alden to the gales. Our faces were chapped in minutes. So we decided to ditch Seattle and take the ferry to Port Townsend. Which was not windy and so very quaint (think Jacksonville, OR in July but a little more updated and an ice cream shop). That turned into a "why don't we drive to Sequim since we have come all this way?" which turned into "well, now it's 6pm. Why don't we stay out in Sequim and try to see the lavender farms tomorrow" which turned into the best spontaneous weekend. Spontaneity is also something that I don't do. But this time I was able to loosen up and just go with it. I'm so glad that these two boys in my life help me do that.

This place had funk factor times 1,000. I loved it. The smelly little hosts' cabin had a video check with such gems as Zorro and E.T. Which we watched back-to-back while eating dinner out of boxes amidst the indoor "a.b. bugs" (that's Alden's term for ladybugs). If you look closely at this toilet decoration, you would find that it is one end of a pair of bookends. I'm sure that the other side was tragically broken from the back of the toilet when the tomb Atlas Shrugged finally pushed them apart.

Alright, so the pictures are a little out of order but, I am trying to challenge myself and let that be ok. I want to update you so we can get to the juicy stuff like Alden's 2nd Easter, moving, being home in our home, and Alden's 2nd birthday!

Things that are NOT Worth Packing

2011-06-25T21:14:00.000-07:00

For every time we've moved (over 14 times) in the 15 years we've been together, Dustin and I have learned a trick or two on how to do it successfully. In learning to do it right, one often has to do it wrong...

Don't bother packing the following and don't ask why:

32 ounce Costco size of vegetable oil

Open jars of pickles

Fish bowls with the fish still in them

Be Happy. Then Be Sad.

2011-06-10T10:16:00.000-07:00

Watch this.

Be happy that it is laughable.

Then be sad that it is not a joke.

A real video made by a real person with a real job.

Really?

From the Archives

2011-06-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

When D and I were living in sin in Salt Lake City back in 1999 (we were 19 and unmarried and drinking. Gasp.), I was preparing us and his older brother, Ryan, cocktails in the kitchen. The kitchen was a beyond a disaster. Sorry, Ryan, but it was. It was scary. It was dangerous. Literally every surface was covered with materials for Ryan's architecture assignments. Even the floor. And, yes, the cupboards. The top of the fridge. The sink. Everything. We didn't even make food in there because it was so encrusted with paper, card stock, foam core board, exact-o knives, pins, shavings, wood, plastic sheeting, etc.
Whatever. I'm sliding right back into the complaint department. I was making cocktails that only a 19 year old has the money and interest to make: screwdrivers. I wasn't aware that Dustin was watching me from the kitchen doorway while I pushed aside debris to make room for our three mismatched mugs. I poured the two ingredients in each and began half-heatedly looking for something to stir with. Spoons would be the obvious answer but, no. We didn't have any. Clean ones or otherwise. Take-out chop sticks? Nope. The handle of a peanut butter smeared knife? How 'bout that plaster spattered, dust tinged Phillips head screw driver? Yes. I stirred each drink contentedly as Dustin crept up behind me, gave me a big hug and whispered, "That's muh gurl."

Fancy Pants Dinner

2011-06-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

These pictures are from March but I am still hanging on to it as it's proof that a) we have friends and b) we had a dinner party for four. In 2011, I had pledged to have more dinner guests. So far, this is a fanciest it has been but I am counting it as a huge score. Trevor bought the grub and we cooked it up while he serenaded us with music he has been working on. Fun times.

Alden enjoyed some of the "crap" (meaning CRAB in his language) but mostly he is a fan of the beets. A "bigk" "faaan" of "bits".

Dairy Delivery Makes Mama Feel Like a Smarty

2011-06-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

Having daily delivery makes sense on so many levels. The best part is that you only have to have a minimum of a $10 order per week to get the free delivery. Considering that 1/2 gallon of organic whole milk is the price of a gallon of gas, we have no problem get that delivery free every time. It is so nice to not have to go to the store for the daily staples. I find that my grocery bill has gone down because I am no longer picking up impulse items along with the usual suspects each visit to the store. We are keeping it local. We are getting it fresh (the eggs are picked up the night before from the nests). And who among us doesn't like to have a magic box that promises cheese every Tuesday morning?

Wire-Hair Brothers of the Fur

2011-05-31T07:14:00.000-07:00

Making "Herb-a-din" Rolls

2011-05-27T07:58:00.000-07:00

Alden is all about learning to assist. When I suggested that we make some cinnamon rolls, he was game. As we scooped out the spices, he helped me smell the cinnamon for freshness. His declaration? "Mmmm, herb-a-bin!"

I Am a Robot!

2011-05-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

This is the moment I have been waiting for an enjoying every week for nearly a year now...

Before we knew if Alden was a she or a he, I bought this robot sweater vest (read svest)with the hopes that no matter what, the little person would like it as much as I. Oooh, he loves it, indeed. Squawks "i-bot" when he sees it in the closet and must wear it.

I, personally, cannot rock a svest to save my life. My middle area is a little too pear-y shaped to not look like an intellectual carpenter ant (you know, thin arms and bulbous abdomen?). But Alden can make svests look like a great idea.

Pleasant Spring Time Growth

2011-05-20T11:40:00.000-07:00

Last March, in our yard, Alden was checking grass out for the first time.

This March, he is checking IT ALL out. Up, down, rolling, yelling, etc.

From the Archives

2011-05-13T12:51:00.000-07:00

While sitting on our porch in San Diego over three years ago (wha?), I observed a group of Emo kids trudging their slack butts along the perfectly sunny sidewalk doing their best to bring the clouds of misery with them.

Me: (not trying to hide my older lady judgement) "They all look androgenous. All their very thin bodies. Like a tube. Like a lollipop."
Dustin: "Yeah, a lollipop that fell on some hair."

Life Is Too Short...

2011-04-26T09:31:00.000-07:00

... to buy generic Kleenex.

I'll spare you the details. Just go the extra mile and shell out the extra fifty cents. Treat yourself.

From the Archives

2011-03-24T20:35:00.000-07:00

May 15, 2008

Upon moving into our first home and upon removing the disgusting carpet.

Dustin: violently jabbing at the carpeted stairs… “I want that.”
Me: circling around him in a frenzy… “Git it. Git it.”

Nearly three years later absolutely nothing has changed about our approach to life. Nothing.

Worth It

2011-03-17T08:08:00.000-07:00

Click here and laugh and laugh and laugh.

It is worth it to look at every product and read the captions.

Filing Petition

2011-03-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

Now that I have my very own red headed babe, I am keenly aware of how many negative stereotypes there are about them. The sayings, "I was (fill in the blank) like a red headed step-child" or "Hey, carrot top, why so red?" are mean and ineffective as I know plenty of folks treated poorly by family no matter what their hair color not to mention that carrot tops are technically green. The villan in most kids books are freckly, pale, menacing red haired little boys while red haired little girls are cast as adorable yet quirkily unpopular. Click here to see what I mean.
Well, if you know Alden, you know that he is far from mean spirited or unpopular. He gives red heads a new beginning.

Read This Book

2011-03-08T10:35:00.000-08:00

www.TheKidsAreAllRightBook.com

Damn You, Country Music

2011-03-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

You know you've gone off the deep end of P.M.S. when you find yourself FULL ON BAWLING while stuck on I-5 traffic on a Friday afternoon. And it's not the traffics' fault. It's that Trace Adkins singing "You're Gonna Miss This". And you're crying not only because you can relate but because you know that you are only 31 and that you already miss being 8 years old, 12 years old, 17 years old (my favorite), 23 years old, 28 years old, etc. You don't have to wait to be some wizen older woman, reminding youth to slow down. You currently, desperately miss the simplicity of those ages and the stupid things that seems so intensely important.

Frankly, I'm a little ticked that I couldn't just be that dumb bunny thinking that life is about moving on and moving up. Nuh-no. I am the sort that knew while I should be happy in my first dumpy apartment, I should be even more excited to grow up yet here I was sabotaging the present by thinking of the future Erica saying that she missed those old days. Crazy making, right?

Like as I remember sobbing in the hallway of North Valley as Dustin and I patched things up after a little disagreement because I already KNEW that we were going to be together for a long time and this was the simple time and that it was almost over already.

Or as before I left the house I had grown up in, I secretly went to every room and wrote down the details; of how the light came my bedroom window in the morning and made me feel like I was in a movie because it made my stuff so glinty and bright; of how the screen door sounded as it slapped shut; how Riley, my dog, would shake the house as he ran around the porch; or how the buzzer on the stove sounded so blandly but with force. I ran my fingers over the grout in the hall way tile, remembering how my sister and I wiped the tile clean once it was laid. I was happy to move on to a freedom that was new and different and long overdue but I already missed the silence of napping - escape - that was our home for so many years.

I don't have a point in writing this. I suppose it just feels good to recognize that the good times are always happening right now and that we are bound to miss even the crumby times because we don't know how much worse it can get. Until we are there. In rush hour traffic with an empty stomach and an empty tank and a crying little guy in the back seat....See? Missing it already.

Bare Bear

2011-02-03T15:18:00.000-08:00

Nothing quite like a little nay-nay butter bear ploppin' around the living room. Nope. Nothing like it at all...

The 13 Year Old GIRL Version of Dustin Came Out

2011-02-02T08:53:00.000-08:00

Back in early November, we went south of Seattle to see a puppet show at a little library in a quiet little town. Afterward we realized how close we were to the hugely coveted Cabela's outdoor store. Until now, every time we've headed south, we had be on a mission to get to Portland before midnight or to Grants Pass in the next decade. Dustin would wistfully say, "I'm sure I'll go there... (whispered) someday." A boy can dream. Well today we had no mission. There was nothing going on. We decided to visit and the squealing started about 10 miles north of the exit and didn't stop until we were driving home over 4 hours later.

The following is a pretend text from the 13 year old girl version of Dustin to whomever would answer him first...
"OMG! @ Cabelas!!! shoot me now! so x-ited! LUL! hahahahaha!"

Alden and I, understandably, gave Dustin nearly an hour head start because we both knew that Dustin wasn't ours anymore. He was one of the many other plaid wearing, overall protecting, hunter/gatherer folk that were flocking to the front door. I put a cap on how much he could spend and that if he felt dizzy he should sit down on a fake rock or lean against a fabricated tree.

When we all joined up to get a proper tour, I immediately became swept up in it all. It was fantastic. We almost bought a wall tent and a fish shaped mail box. Almost. Gazing into the plastic eyes of the taxiderm-ied elk, I saw what was happening. Cabela's is a ruse! It is a master plan of all the hunted animals in the world to lure us to a spot, close us in, and hunt us. We left soon thereafter. But not after buying a bag of jerky and a pair of "super sweet" boots for Dustin. He hasn't taken them off since.

Married to a Rock Star Doppelganger

2011-01-31T09:32:00.000-08:00

Back in November, in our extremely family event friendly neighborhood of Magnolia, a mom woman approached Dustin, excitedly asking, "Are you Caspar Babypants?" Dustin, completely bewildered but trying to be friendly, answered, "Sure? What? Yes. No."
Later, he admitted he hadn't been hit on in a while so he was pleased that she noticed him but, upon my explaining who Mr. Babypants is, he was less flattered. I think it is a sign of the times when you stop getting compliments on being Woody Harrelson's or Bruce Willis' doppelganger and get CASPAR BABYPANTS. Da-da, much?

Git.

2011-01-26T15:46:00.000-08:00

With a stunning vocab of over 60 words, this is still our favorite!

A Very Merry Un-Birthday

2011-01-24T08:53:00.000-08:00

This morning, at 8:17 a.m., Alden turned 18 months old. We have one of those! And 18 month old! He marked the event by climbing up on his orange chair and then up on his art table while I typed this blog. Clearly, times are changing around here. I've gotta go...

Get In Line

2011-01-18T21:06:00.000-08:00

The next group of people that are the lucky ducks to stay at our home as guests get to go on this tour with us. Set aside $25 per adult and $15 per child and get ready for the time of your lives. I'll spring for the $2 Wacky Quacker as a thank you.

I've been wanting to go on this tour since we lived in Seattle the first time. Surprise, surprise, not a single one of our family members or friends wanted to join me. They'd rather have gone to bars and clubs and museums and open air markets. Bah. Been there, done that. Let's see Seattle from the inside of a wheeled boat. On water? Sure. On land? Yep. Crowd participation? All the way. Singing, quacking, waving. It's like cheerleading without the polyester skirts. Cheering without skirts? I'll bet that got the guys interested. So. Who will it be?

A Wrap Up of the Holiday Unwrappings

2011-01-16T15:35:00.000-08:00

This marks only the second time that Alden has had a "stranger danger" moment. Not a bad record for a near 18 month old.

At least he recovers nicely.
Here is our Super Man on Christmas morning. His new custom chair was a hit... he is obsessed with his own chairs (the high chair, his potty, and now this).
I found this table in a neighborhood yard marked free. I balanced it on the top of the stroller, had Dustin cut the legs down, sand, and paint it up for a new play station. One side is chalk board and the other is ready for paint, food, clay, and whatever else. He is thrilled.

Green House

2011-01-09T15:14:00.001-08:00

To the tune of dueling banjos:
Bern nern nern nern nern nern nern nern neeeeern.
Bern nern nern nern nern nern nern nern neeeeeeeeeeeern.

I know we live in the city. I know white plastic wrapped green houses are faux pas. But, damn it, we have plants to keep alive all winter so I can kill them properly in the summer!
This thing is quite cozy. Pretty sure a stray cat has been snugged up in there on loooong winter nights lately. Lucky kitty smells like six different types of lavender now.

Reindeer, Camels, and Mini Donkey Time

2011-01-09T15:08:00.000-08:00

Not only is Swanson's Nursery already really cool to visit, now they have a visiting tribe of wooley beasts to look at.

Fair enough. Thanks for the warning. Now I am terrified. I'll bet the reindeer just want to speed up the process so they can get back to facebooking.

Little sleigh for a little guy.

Donner and Blitzen.

Curly and Moe: the true meaning of the season.

Fall(ing Behind)

2011-01-09T14:57:00.000-08:00

I am appalled that I haven't been posting lately. But. Again. No computer. Busy times. Holidays. It's boring to have to spell it out... so I won't.
Here is evidence of a great time spent at a gloriously chilly fall day playground. Alden was overjoyed to collect the largest maple leaves we've ever seen and then dole them out to other park folk. We were overjoyed to watch him do it.

Dey Call Me Chompers! Chompers, I say!

2010-11-19T08:30:00.000-08:00

"Say, how are ya? I'm good. Real good. What's that? You wanna know how many teeth I have now?"

"Well, c'mon over a count 'em up, why don't ya?"

"Get close."

"Closer..."

Hillbilly Toy

2010-11-18T08:30:00.000-08:00

You can take the boy out of southern Oregon...

Sounders, Sounders

2010-11-17T08:30:00.000-08:00

Thanks to a nice guy at Dustin's work, we received tickets to a Seattle Sounders soccer game. We'd never been so we were eager to go! It was loud, late, and totally worth parking 18 million blocks away to get there.

Dustin got a player's signature on the ticket, I got to cheer a little (still my favorite sport next to heckling), and Alden enjoyed his first and last bite of stadium nachos.

Breakfast of Champions

2010-11-16T08:30:00.000-08:00

To an outsider, Dustin looks like a man encircled in a shower curtain. I look like a woman street advertiser. Alden looks like a little cupcake. Close. But we are supposed to be a cup of coffee (Dustin), a sugar packet (myself), and a donut (Alden). Whatever.

Baby loooooves his first DumDum lollipop. Coconut flavor!

Alden totally got the hang of Trick-or-Treating and was knocking on garage doors even to get his goodies! He made some good choices for his first haul of candy.

You know you live in Seattle when even the Halloween candy is all organic. Jesus, people, really? I'm a mom now and can't even get behind that one. Just one day a year, let's let the little guys have some unadulterated, sugar infused good times. Totally reminded me of the house on Washington Boulevard in Grants Pass that used to give out toothbrushes every year. Climb off my back, ok? I promise to brush AFTER I eat ALL of the candy.

This is the only time I could get him to get near the donut. He liked looking at it but not wearing it. The frosting dollop hat totally works for him though.

Clean Up Crew

2010-11-11T08:30:00.000-08:00

I recall reading that the Leo baby is interested in cleanliness, organization, and rules. I knew, months before we had Alden, that this kid and I would get along! Now, I can really know for sure. I was proud when he took his first steps but this? This is stunning.

Wonder Where He Gets His Fashion Sense?

2010-11-09T08:30:00.000-08:00

Yes, that is a kimono.
Yes, he wears it every morning. By choice.
Yes, we are proud of him.
Yes, I take all of the blame.

A Flash Forward to Alden Studying for S.A.T.'s

2010-11-08T08:30:00.000-08:00

Tell me he doesn't look about 19 here. So studious. So disciplined.

Dustin's Birthday Soo-prize

2010-10-10T08:30:00.000-07:00

Dustin's job keeps him pretty busy. So busy that he hadn't even gotten to put his signature gray on everything. Well, for his birthday, I made my own stab at rad and decorated his office. With the help of Josh, too!

THAT is a live moss ball chandelier. In my spare time, I stuffed dirt in old baby sock's toes, formed them into balls, fastened them, cut of the excess and pinned moss from Discovery Park (illegal?) to them. I then kept them hidden for over 3 weeks in our house with Dustin none the wiser.

This all wood (over 26 pounds) ram head was spied by the two of us in Grants Pass when we moved there. As we were leaving, I couldn't help myself. I bought it. And moved it into our new home with, again, Dustin unknowing. It was on the floor of his closet and he never even noticed. I'm still waiting for him to notice that I had the baby. Sheesh.

Eat Our Dust, Laura Ingalls Wilder

2010-09-30T11:54:00.001-07:00

At the beginning of September, Dustin and I were on a mission to become more self-sufficient in the kitchen. Honestly, I have been prompted by Megan's tireless canning AND the price of groceries. Since when does bread cost $5? Where are we? Hawai'i?

Dustin's mama instructed me on making a pie crust. I had always been under the impression that pie was VERY difficult to make because of it's scarcity during the year. Why only Thanksgiving? Now that I can make a crust, we shall have pie any damn time we want it. Like now. And now.
And now.

Our second attempt with mozzerela. Waaay more successful both in process and end result. Shiny and tasty... just like in the Five Dollar Store.

Walker, I Am

2010-09-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

He is much smoother since this video but this is too precious not to share. Note the hands in front harnessing his chi.

house pics

2010-09-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

When we were moving, I came across these pictures that we had printed off at the San Diego Public Library so that we could sketch out our ideas on them. God, what a dump. A dump that we fell in love with...

Proof of Seattle Life

2010-09-23T20:30:00.000-07:00

I am not delusional. I know that Alden is a boy. I know that he is not Amish. But, c'mon, doesn't he make the cutest little Amish girl?

West Seattle sound water waves. Just 20 degrees colder than San Diego. If you just ignore the hippie with his socks covered feet stuffed into 1990's Teva's you could SWEAR that your in Southern California. Not.

There. There is the Space Needle and the awesome International Fountain. We do live here.

Again with the Ferry Ride... Seven Years Later

2010-09-21T22:34:00.000-07:00

The first time we had lived in Seattle, we spent our 2nd anniversary on a day trip to Port Townsend by ways of a ferry ride. Now, seven years later, we spent our 9th anniversary with our Alden on a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island. Tradition? Perhaps one in the making... every seven or so years.

Wait a Minute...

2010-09-21T22:01:00.000-07:00

If corn oil is made from corn and vegetable oil comes from veggies and olives produce olive oil then where does Baby Oil come from?

Ooooh. Those poor over-squeezed babies.

Diggin' Fer Gold

2010-09-13T20:30:00.000-07:00

Trying to get a little culture, we drove north to Mukilteo for their Blue Grass Festival. We heard some great artists and enjoyed the last of the summer days here near Seattle. Alden bopped along to the music and entertained several folks around us. Especially with this new obsession of his...

Magnolia Baby Race

2010-09-12T20:17:00.000-07:00

You know you live in a family-centric community when there is an Annual Baby Race held during the summer festivities.
Alden did not win the race but he was the first baby off the starting line. Once everyone cheered for him, you could see his overwhelm and tears start in. Just like how daddy starts off every Monday morning...

Teamwork

2010-09-06T20:30:00.000-07:00

Y'all has made it clear that we are on the top of her "People I am Utterly Disappointed With" list. It started when we left San Diego in May 2008. She loved it there. She had the sun, cool ocean breezes, her very own window to gaze out of, pretty birds to watch, and a neighbor cat, Nermal, to chat with. Then we moved back to Grants Pass, got Curtis, and brought Alden home. She went from one and only to sad and lonely in a 2 year period. But, in a moment of soft forgiveness, she allowed herself to enjoy Alden as we do. We each got something out of this little blissed out nap time. Finally, Y'all gives back.

An Odd Source of Comfort

2010-09-03T08:31:00.000-07:00

Right when I think that Alden will never sleep longer than the 27-32 minute time span he has held fast to for over 13 months... he finds solace in my left foot.

He slept like that for over 90 minutes while I worked on a project.

See? Tranny feet are good for things other than struttin' down a cat walk in acrylic heels on amatur night.

The Second of First Birthdays

2010-09-01T20:30:00.000-07:00

We hosted Alden's next first birthday down in Grants Pass so that he could be surrounded by all of those that have known him the longest... grandparents, greatgrandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and their children. It was great to come home and even greater to be surrounded by all that love!

Grandma Robbie let us host at her lovely home. Perfect day for some sun and fun.
We had some watermelon-mint lemonade, strawberry jam and Nutella sammies, artichoke spread, along with cucumber, carrot, and hummus faux rolls.

Yes, that is a stuffed felt birthday candle headband. Yes, I insisted he wear it just for 0ne picture. I carried him around for 9 months, labored for over 12 hours, and have been faithfully by his side ever since he arrived... I figured he owed me one.

He had a lot more experience this time around with the cake. It was everywhere... and I mean EVERYWHERE.
Ooooohhhh, that was fun. Let's do that again next year!

The First of First Birthdays

2010-08-27T17:30:00.000-07:00

Alden was a great host at his very first birthday held at our new rental home in Seattle. We had a quaint group of attendants that we've maintained close friendships with since our last time living here. I am quite sure that none of them ever imagined that they would be attending our child's birthday... and not just because they are really crappy friends who shouldn't get invited anywhere... but, over 5 years ago, we swore up and down that we were going to remain childless for the rest of our lives.

Having such a fine son in Alden makes us both so proud and glad to have changed our minds!

Sadly, little birthday man had a hiiiiiigh fever and wasn't interested in eating his cake. But he still had a pulse and couldn't resist smashing and smooshing it to goo.

Our friend, Sniffany (Stepha-roo, Stephanie), proved a qualified lap to rest on. Alden actually fell asleep as we laughed and ate and carried on around him.

Later, while watching the video, I realized that I had sort of blacked out while singing the "Happy Birthday" song to Alden. Similar to walking down the aisle or graduating, Alden's birthday was one of those moments that I had been waiting for my whole life and didn't even know it. Cliche, I know, but it really does feel like a second ago that we were laboring and delivering him. Now, 18 pounds, 28 inches, and 1 year later, he is a crawling, squealing, pointing, laughing toddler. And so it goes.

Curious George? Meet Alden!

2010-08-25T17:30:00.001-07:00

I'm all for milestones but walking is the next in line for us here and I'm a tad nervous. I am already pretty busy now trying to get our Cruisin' Bruiser from crawling up and on and over and in things. What will our lives be like once The Pointer Finger of Declaration gets bipedal? Pray for a late bloomer, 'k?

Remember when the OBGYN thought that Alden's in-utero measurements suggested that his humorous bones may be shorter than average? Like, as Dustin so bluntly clarified, "T-Rex arms"? Well, this kid has no problem reaching EVERYTHING he has his mind on reaching. Everything.

Fruition

2010-08-24T17:30:00.000-07:00

I get that gardens are supposed to grow. Plants plus water plus light equals growth but this seems a little intense here in Seattle. Dustin has a green thumb and then some.
As of May 30th:

Currently:

If you remember back to May 2009, Dustin began gardening with little more interest than wanting to provide food for our very future baby. He was suffering from the paternal worry that his love would not be enough to nurture the baby and I as we grow together as a family. He did get such a huge amount of produce from that first crop (over 30 pounds of tomatoes and Italian squash that would make many folks blush in it's phallic girth) but Alden was just a couple of months old and not ready for solids. But this year? Dustin not only picked, scrubbed, and cooked up this here carrot, but he wept while he did it. He is so proud to help feed our guy and not just make the monies.

Eleven Months Old and Snugglin' It

2010-08-23T17:30:00.000-07:00

Dustin and I keep taking turns saying that we can't understand where the baby months went in this past year! It's nearly over and our Alden is turning one on July 24th. I am very certain that I remember all of the long hours laughing and crying and snoozing and traveling and learning and wondering and asking and all of that but, yet, here we are about to leave the first year behind us and start in on a whole new Newnie Era and the past is already a blur!
Here he is (ignore the pink diaper, please) enjoying his splash mat from Grandma Robbie. It is waaaay to cold of water but he can't help himself.

Awww. The elusive Snoozer.

1-2-3 Catch Up

2010-08-22T22:16:00.000-07:00

The next few posts will be old news to most of you. But due to being busy and having very limited access to a computer, we have to play catch up now.
For starters, here is a picture of our home in Seattle.

We've been living inhere for 3 months now and really enjoying the neighborhood. It is super quaint and remote but just minutes for the city. I think they put something in the water so that only younger families live here.

Missing a Few of My Favorite Things

2010-07-19T23:07:00.000-07:00

I miss many things lately.
I miss my family.
I miss my friends.
I miss Grants Pass.
I miss our home.
I miss a working computer.

On the up side? Alden is turning ONE YEAR OLD on Saturday July 24, 2010. We are beside ourselves with excitement and wonder. More on that later...

Whirley Ball + Clown Outfits = Another Job Obligation

2010-06-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

The people in this video are part of the studio that Dustin now manages.
I'm not sure which I feel more sorry for, really.
Whirley Ball is made up of two teams with five players on each. Similar to bumpers cars, you are able to crash into others relatively harmlessly. Dissimilar to bumper cars, there is a whiffle ball being sought after and passed via plastic scoops. Getting the ball to the basket-y goal more than the others makes you a winner. Getting it there in a clown outfit makes you crazy cool.

You Pick. I Pick. We ALL Pick Berries!

2010-06-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

We weekended in Portland with the Anuschat Family and got quite domestimicated for Father's Day. We spent some quality time on a trailer ride out to the strawberry fields where we picked 'til we popped. Then we prepped for the next day's festivities of canning our first batch of jam. Megan and I pulled it together and made some really beautiful jars of jam while the boys worked on the back yard chicken coop. Then we all sat down and wrote some folk songs while whittling a loom.

Another Victim of Spaghetti Pie

2010-06-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

Wha? We're having WHAT for dinner tonight? Did you say Spaghetti Pie?
Don't get an ego, ma, it wasn't all that.

Alden's New Digs

2010-06-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

Jungle Garden Tour

2010-06-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

So after the wedding and after all of the extended family moved on to New Orleans, Dustin, Alden, and I were in New Iberia, LA for a day by ourselves. We went back to Avery Island where the Tabasco sauce is grown and produced. It was so fun the first time that we seriously thought about doing the tour again but decided to enjoy the Jungle Garden as it promised alligators and a Budda statue.
These trees are so peaceful and soothing. The limbs extend down to the ground and seemingly rest on it.
GATORS!
Joke Alert! What do you call a baby alligator? A GATOR TOT!!!! hahahhahahahahahha shut up.

I believe I asked for the large propeller boat. Sheesh.
Spanish moss... you know, like you can buy in the bags at Michael's?
The view that this Budda statue has had for over 70 years. I'd be blissed out, too!

Hot doesn't even begin to describe this day but it was worth it to get out of the car during the tour to see all of this!

Go Here. Do This.

2010-06-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

True, it is a fantastic waste of time. But fantastic nonetheless.
Go here. Now.

That's correct. You, too, can have Mena Suvari hairs or any celebrity hair style if you have a picture to upload and approximately 76 hours to waste trying on all 336 female celebrity hair options available.

LA Vacay

2010-06-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my cousin, Mark, and his new wife, Laurie, who were getting married in Louisiana in May, we got our first family vacation. Just 24 hours after moving into our new place in Seattle, we boarded a plane to the hottest place in North America: Lafayette, Louisiana. We arrived in the still of the night, rested, and then we got directly into the hotel pool. Aside from going to the wedding and being at the following pictures' locations, we stayed in the pool or laying down. Best. Vacation. Ever.
Eating fried food at The Bon Creole
Eating fried food at The Pelican... I tried the frog legs. Hey, I never said I didn't eat amphibian.
Blunt. But why? Maybe a patron or two got tipsy and fell into the croc infested water? I'll bet that's it. So, no, I won't sit.
The two July 24th birthday kids! Great grandma Shirley and baby Alden.
Sugar cane fields
Paying via a paddle fitted with a close pin to tack down money and receipt. Even the natives don't like sticking their arms out in the heat.
Tabasco barrel covered with salt from Avery Island. That barrel is better preserved than I am!

Lady Killaz (their rap name)
This church was beautiful and the ceremony was epic. Fairly short for a Catholic wedding which Alden appreciated. :)

Addicted

2010-06-14T15:11:00.000-07:00

Damn it.
I am addicted to this little kid computer game.
Check out www.miniclip.com and type in "bunch" into the search field.
See you in 4 hours when you finally pry your fingers off of the mouse and sit up straight.
There had better be a support group for this.

Moving Day

2010-06-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

How does one put a 1977 orange Fiat Spider that hasn't run in nearly a year on a trailer bed, exactly? Well, one doesn't. Four do. With the help of a tool endearingly called a "come along". And, of course, it was raining.

It took us a lot longer to load up than we had anticipated. About 4 hours longer. And that was with help. We don't even have that much stuff and I was so packed and ready. I think we were distracted with kind of not wanting to go and really wanting to stay.

We got as far as Cottage Grove before tapping out for the night. We got such a late start on the road and the rain wasn't helping so we got a hotel and some much needed sleep. Knocking just 90 minutes off of a 8 hour drive sure does take it out of a gal.

If you squint, that sign says "Welcome to Seattle". Admittedly, that did feel good to be done with the leaving part of moving.

This shows ALL of the change we've seen in the past two years. Grass, house color, new windows, awning, rock work, clean up, tear down, baby, gray hairs, more love and support, f.u.p.a., laugh lines, tear stains. Yup. All there. All worth it.

Thank you, little house. You've made adults out of us. You helped make us a family, too.

Final Walk Though

2010-06-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

The wood floors are cleaned and sealed (refinishing will come at a much, much later date).
The bathroom is textured, painted, trimmed, and tiled.
The hallway, office, and laundry room is textured, painted, trimmed, and tiled.
The kitchen has a new stainless steel counter along with wood decorative piece.
The front stoop has the best roofless "awning" ever... in time, wisteria will be the canopy.
The lawn and landscaping has an in ground sprinkler system.
The bathroom sink no longer shocks the person washing their hands with running water.
All of the paint, inside and out, has been touched up.
The garden has been tilled up and is ready for replanting.
Just like that, two years and 1 week, we are moving out.

Imagine the Sound of a Starter Gun

2010-06-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

Dustin came home from a 2 1/2 month job in Seattle with the GREAT news that his brief return to freelance was already over. He got a staff position as studio manager in Seattle. That's right, folks. Back to Seattle. In one month. Go.

Technically the work began just three weeks before the move date. Three weeks to finish off a house, find a renter, pack our belongings, nurture family and friend relationships. Super easy. Crap.

Next time, when we move into an old house and we can tell that the floor is rotting by the shower, we might just get on that a bit sooner than two years later. Maybe.

You can take the boy out of Merlin but you can't take the Merlin out of the boy...

All this dry wall dust and saw buzzin' has tuckered out lil' Newnie. He has taken to napping for longer than 27-32 minute periods. Totally worth it.

Alden in Drag

2010-06-06T22:58:00.001-07:00

At some point in May, we didn't have running water or a toilet as Dustin was hacking up the bathroom in preparation to rent our home. Alden and I needed both of those things to survive so we hung out at the grandmas' homes alternately during the days and evenings. In my hurry to leave one day, I neglected to grab a back up outfit for Alden should he have a diaper blowout. Never dispair! At Grandma Cynthia's house she has some of my and my sister's LITTLE GIRL clothes saved in a huge trunk. Rummaging through we found the following:

Yes, those are knee high striped socks, ruffle bottom daring red undies, and a S.N.O.B. t-shirt. Lookin' good. Lookin' fancy. Mom and I laughed ourselves silly and then some. Something about a ruffly fanny crawling away from you that does it.

Clap On. Clap Off. My Lil' Clapper.

2010-05-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

And Lo, the Angels Sang

2010-05-08T18:20:00.000-07:00

I am nothing if not obsessive.
There.
Now we can all say that the elephant in the room has been addressed. OK? Ok.
When I think of a solution to an issue, I don't stop until I find the exact, precise, perfect thing to make it work. I do not buy something that will do in the mean time. I go without until I have what I want. This isn't because I am spoiled or a diva. I just don't believe in having to buy things multiple times. I'll just work without the perfect thing until the universe deems it time for me to have the perfect thing. Like Alden, for example.
For those who are wondering what I have obsessed about in the past, here is a little list of items that I have researched, sought after, and ached for (all to Dustin's chagrin):
Curtis' dog bed
Y'all water feeder
Car floor mats
Towels for the bathroom
Face lotion (for both Dustin AND myself)
Fleece lined thongs
Ear gauges
Chalk board paint
Lunch bag systems
Thermometers
Cloth diapers

This last item is finally hitting it's stride. I use cloth diapers pretty much all day, every day now. I have the cleaning and sanitation down now and don't find myself grimacing when I discover that Alden has gone number two. A lot. But, in the mean time, when I am containing those cloth diapers to be washed, I was lacking a smell trapping system. I asked every modern mom I know and was directed several places. Where I landed was the Baby Trend Diaper Champ. It is a wonderful device that locks in the scent of poo, is curious baby deterrent and proof, and doesn't take a special bag which is important for the cloth option. Trouble was that the Diaper Champ model I was looking for is no longer made. Yes, the Diaper Champ 4100 is touted to be the best in smell lockage but was made obsolete as it was rather expensive and was losing the battle to the Diaper Genie which is excellent in it's own ways. So to compete, the Diaper Champ Deluxe came out at a lesser price and a lesser quality. Looking on Amazon, I could see that they had a limited supply of the 4100 model left. One, actually, in girly pink and white for $90. Ebay offered a used one which I bid on several times only to be outbid by the seller who probably knew the gold she had and wasn't willing to give it up for less than $90. I don't blame her. So. I quietly gave up and decided to keep the cloth diapers outside or in the washer. Not fun. Not easy. Not perfect. But ok.
As I continue this novel, bear in mind that I haven't truly forgotten about the Diaper Champ 4100. I would pause daily as I dumped a cloth diaper into the pail, a waft of ick coming out of it, and think about the glory of the 4100. But I was resigned. Until two past weekends ago when, visiting my sister-in-law in Portland, we went to the Goodwill bin warehouse. She calls the act "Treasure Hunting" as we paw through counter height bins of random items that have not been cleaned or priced or anything but dumped off for resale. You buy your treasures by the pound. It is awesome.
We'd been there for a little over an hour and hadn't come across much to call a treasure. Bored, I glanced around me to a few bins over to see if anything grabbed me. Oh, something grabbed me alright. There he was, like a shiny, beautiful beacon bathed in a pool of dingy Goodwill light. The Diaper Champ 4100. Furtively, after making sure I wasn't going to run over any children, I raced to his side to receive him as my very own. He is blue and white and relatively clean considering his job. I really had to suppress a shout of glee. Really. As I did, I ran over to Megan and stage whispered, "Do you know what this is?" She's like me in that we get focused on finding the best solution for any given issue so she was very happy for me, too. Even better? I only had to pay $3.50 for it. The sales girl almost sounded apologetic that it cost THAT much.
Now that I've been using it for over 2 weeks, I have had nary a scent o' diaper in the house and I shout in my head thanksgiving every time I turn the handle.

Laughing Can Be Stressful

2010-05-06T08:00:00.001-07:00

Watch his eyebrows... he seems a bit worried that the laughing will never stop. Never.

Rub-a-Flink-Dink in Da Sink

2010-05-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

This house went from washing dishes in the tub to washing babies in the sink! Next we'll be showering under the rain gutters!

Must Get OUT...

2010-05-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

Four Generations of Nut Ball

2010-05-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

Here we have, at my dad's prompting, a picture of four generations of the Gade lineage.
My Opa (Ray), My Oma (Lola), My father (Eric), My Aunt (Sally), Myself, and Alden.

Climbing Up

2010-05-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Easter Time is Cousin Time

2010-04-30T15:00:00.000-07:00

Growing up, I had 3 cousins that we would celebrate Easter with every year. Mostly we decorated and hunted for eggs at my Grandma Shirley's house in Stayton, Oregon. It started out innocently enough as we picked a theme for the eggs that year and grew to mischief as we aged. It was less about decorating and more about hucking eggs (Travis, Mark) and bemoaning our NEED for the sacred candy that we were advised to give up for Lent (Bekki, Merritt, Jill, and I).

Here we are as a family. First cousins on this side!

Wow. If Only the Pregnancy Had Gone This Quickly.

2010-04-30T09:53:00.000-07:00

Alden is forty weeks old today. That means he has been OUT as long as he was IN. At this time last year, I was totally fuh-reaking out that the baby room was not complete and that our home was so very, very, very dirty. Now, I am elated to have a little boy crawling around on our floors, climbing up his nursery room steps, eating toast sticks while squealing his own theme song. "Yi! Yee! Yah-gah!"
Happy forty week birthday, Newnie.

Seattle Aquarium = Fun Times

2010-04-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

Dorks.

This is a face that Alden has perfected. "Oooooh." or "Wha?"

I don't get out much.
And this is why.

Springtime

2010-04-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

We've been a little missing lately but, in the next slew of posts, I will get you all caught up. These date back to March 19th, the day before my pony princess birthday. The eve of the first day of spring, too. Alden loves him up some grass.

Ok. I'll Get Right On That. Not.

2010-04-22T10:02:00.000-07:00

I have been a sponge when it comes to reading information from a variety of sources about tips, tricks, and trends in baby raising. I shop for my information just like I shop from groceries... select the best brand for me, try different ingredients, experiment with new recipes, etc. Until now, I've been pretty open to everything. But, the most recent issue of "American Baby" magazine (April 2010) had this little tip that made me not just roll my eyes but throw the magazine right into the recycling bin. Take a listen, shall we?

Title: Protect Baby Teeth
Subtitle: Feeding baby during the night?
Article: "One her pearly whites start coming in, gently swab the inside of her mouth with a damp washcloth or dental wipe before putting her back to sleep, advises Michael Ignelzi, D.D.S., Ph.D., a spokesman for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. When milk sugar lingers in the mouth, it can cause severe tooth decay, and baby teeth may need to be crowned or removed as a result."

That advise, while important to follow DURING THE DAY, ain't gonna fly in THIS nighttime ritual. No, I won't let Alden's teeth rot in his adorable face but I am not on board with brushing up his pearly whites at 3 friggin' a to the m, ok? Mama is sleepy. Baby is sleepy. Period.

Pure of Heart, We Are Not

2010-04-14T20:30:00.000-07:00

I cannot be trusted to pick out an appropriate outfit for a visit to the dentist much less for being a guest to my cousin's wedding in May. In Louisiana. In a Catholic Church. So, I entrusted Dustin to do it for me this past Saturday. He sent me a series of picture messages from numerous stores in downtown Seattle which I then vetoed or asked for more detail. Exasperated, he called an described a strapless, dusty red pinstripe number that seemed, to both of us, perfect. My mother reminded me that the Catholic faith is modest and may discourage bare shoulders in the church. Not to be thrown off course, Dustin asked, "So, I suppose I should take back the vagina hat I bought you."

Celebrity Love or Hate Game

2010-04-13T22:39:00.000-07:00

On the t.v. show "Will and Grace" the main characters would play a game where one would name a celebrity and, without wiggle room, waffling, or explanation, the other would claim their love or hatred for them. Because I am lonely and have no one to play this with, I post my list now.
Halle Barry = hate
Rob Lowe = love
Anne Heche = hate
Jeff Bridges = looooove
Anne Hathaway = hate
January Jones = love