One
Two
Three
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Caricatures
I have zero artistic talent but I am really, really proud of these. Those of you who know us have to admit you'd know who we were even without the names.
Monday, August 24, 2009
The Joy Of Camera Phones
Believe it or not, my old cell phone did not have a camera feature. The one I had before it did but almost two years ago I downgraded to a simple phone. It wasn't a big deal, except when people would send me pictures on my phone. I couldn't see them, and it drove me crazy!
This week I'd finally had my phone long enough for a free upgrade. Eric and I have been like two little kids giggling and sending each other pictures. Last Friday I was at the cabin, and I can't explain the joy I felt when Eric sent me this:
This week I'd finally had my phone long enough for a free upgrade. Eric and I have been like two little kids giggling and sending each other pictures. Last Friday I was at the cabin, and I can't explain the joy I felt when Eric sent me this:
Sunday, August 23, 2009
So Happy Together
I know I've used that title before but it's just so darn appropriate.
I am amazed by the connection between Eric and Matilda. I'm not saying there isn't a strong connection between Eric and Sam, or Matilda and me, but Eric and Matilda have something special.
They just get each other. To this day Sam will panic if Eric tries to throw him in the air or hang him upside down. Matilda can't get enough of it. Eric throws her higher; Matilda laughs harder. There are times when I try and try to calm Matilda down and nothing works. Eric can walk into the room and smile at her and suddenly she's Smiley McGee. It goes the other way, too. No matter how tired or frustrated Eric gets he never runs out of patience with Matilda. I've seen them catch each other's eye across the room and both burst out laughing. They are both in on a joke that no one else can understand.
Shannan took this picture. I love it so much, I can hardly stand it.
Thank you, Shannan, for capturing this moment. I'm going to treasure this picture forever.
I am amazed by the connection between Eric and Matilda. I'm not saying there isn't a strong connection between Eric and Sam, or Matilda and me, but Eric and Matilda have something special.
They just get each other. To this day Sam will panic if Eric tries to throw him in the air or hang him upside down. Matilda can't get enough of it. Eric throws her higher; Matilda laughs harder. There are times when I try and try to calm Matilda down and nothing works. Eric can walk into the room and smile at her and suddenly she's Smiley McGee. It goes the other way, too. No matter how tired or frustrated Eric gets he never runs out of patience with Matilda. I've seen them catch each other's eye across the room and both burst out laughing. They are both in on a joke that no one else can understand.
Shannan took this picture. I love it so much, I can hardly stand it.
Thank you, Shannan, for capturing this moment. I'm going to treasure this picture forever.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Non-Negotiable
Eric has been a member of a gym for close to a year. I am able to go for free as his guest and the kids go to the day care. We all enjoy it but it isn't always ideal to go in the evening when Eric gets home from work. I've been daydreaming of having my own membership so I can go anytime during the day.
Last week Eric saw a promotion and made an appointment for me to join. I'm not going into all of the details, but they were advertising what we were willing to pay (very, very little). Eric called and confirmed that that would be our cost with no additional fees. I called on Monday, a few hours before our appointment, to ask a few questions.
Well, in the course of my conversation, higher rates and additional fees kept being disclosed. By the end our initial out-of-pocket expense would be NINE TIMES higher than the price we had previously been guaranteed! The woman I spoke with was very rude. I cancelled our appointment and just may have hung up on her.
That night Eric and Sam went to the gym and Matilda and I stayed home. I don't know why I was surprised when Eric came home with my membership materials. When he wants something, he gets it, and he had gone right in and talked with a manager. He got me a contract for the price we were given in the first place - no additional costs, no additional fees. Yippee!
This morning was my first daytime trip. I got up at 6:30 so we could leave by 7:30. I wanted to be there when the day care opened at 8:00 as Matilda would need to be home for a nap a little after 9:00. I got us all fed, dressed, and packed and headed out. We signed in, I dropped off the kids, and I got on an elliptical.
About 6 minutes went by before I heard over the loudspeaker, "Emilie...please report to the child care." I heard Matilda screaming when I was still halfway across the gym. I went in and found her as mad as I've ever seen her. She just didn't want to be there. When Matilda does not want something, she DOES NOT WANT IT. (Hmmm...I can't imagine where she gets that...)
I had no choice but to pack us all up and leave. I was in the gym from 8:02 to 8:16. I'm going to have to just keep trying...maybe I should get Eric to talk to her!
Last week Eric saw a promotion and made an appointment for me to join. I'm not going into all of the details, but they were advertising what we were willing to pay (very, very little). Eric called and confirmed that that would be our cost with no additional fees. I called on Monday, a few hours before our appointment, to ask a few questions.
Well, in the course of my conversation, higher rates and additional fees kept being disclosed. By the end our initial out-of-pocket expense would be NINE TIMES higher than the price we had previously been guaranteed! The woman I spoke with was very rude. I cancelled our appointment and just may have hung up on her.
That night Eric and Sam went to the gym and Matilda and I stayed home. I don't know why I was surprised when Eric came home with my membership materials. When he wants something, he gets it, and he had gone right in and talked with a manager. He got me a contract for the price we were given in the first place - no additional costs, no additional fees. Yippee!
This morning was my first daytime trip. I got up at 6:30 so we could leave by 7:30. I wanted to be there when the day care opened at 8:00 as Matilda would need to be home for a nap a little after 9:00. I got us all fed, dressed, and packed and headed out. We signed in, I dropped off the kids, and I got on an elliptical.
About 6 minutes went by before I heard over the loudspeaker, "Emilie...please report to the child care." I heard Matilda screaming when I was still halfway across the gym. I went in and found her as mad as I've ever seen her. She just didn't want to be there. When Matilda does not want something, she DOES NOT WANT IT. (Hmmm...I can't imagine where she gets that...)
I had no choice but to pack us all up and leave. I was in the gym from 8:02 to 8:16. I'm going to have to just keep trying...maybe I should get Eric to talk to her!
Monday, August 17, 2009
It Talks
No, really. Matilda is talking. I'm sure people won't believe it but it has happened way too many times to be a coincidence.
For a few months she's been calling me Ma. At first she'd just yell, "MA!" when she was really mad, but now it's all the time. She will call for me and when I walk into her room she'll laugh and laugh. If I surprise her, she'll turn around with a start and gasp, "Ma!"
Last week the Dadas started. Eric walked into the room and just like that, Matilda lit up and said, "Dada!" We all looked at her, surprised, and she said it again. "Dada," she cooed, reaching for him. Eric stayed with the kids all weekend and reported that in the morning he'd hear her yelling, "Dada!" from her crib.
This one doesn't have any other witnesses but I know it happened. I always call the kids Brother and Sister when talking about the other. I never planned it, and don't really even like it, but it's what happens. Sam and Matilda were standing at the coffee table and Sam did something that made Matilda laugh. "Bubba!" she cried, laughing happily. She said Brother! She did again, later in the day, when Sam ran into the room. She jumped, yelled "Bubba!" and started after him.
I begged and pleaded with Sam to talk and I have a feeling I'm going to be begging Matilda to stop!
For a few months she's been calling me Ma. At first she'd just yell, "MA!" when she was really mad, but now it's all the time. She will call for me and when I walk into her room she'll laugh and laugh. If I surprise her, she'll turn around with a start and gasp, "Ma!"
Last week the Dadas started. Eric walked into the room and just like that, Matilda lit up and said, "Dada!" We all looked at her, surprised, and she said it again. "Dada," she cooed, reaching for him. Eric stayed with the kids all weekend and reported that in the morning he'd hear her yelling, "Dada!" from her crib.
This one doesn't have any other witnesses but I know it happened. I always call the kids Brother and Sister when talking about the other. I never planned it, and don't really even like it, but it's what happens. Sam and Matilda were standing at the coffee table and Sam did something that made Matilda laugh. "Bubba!" she cried, laughing happily. She said Brother! She did again, later in the day, when Sam ran into the room. She jumped, yelled "Bubba!" and started after him.
I begged and pleaded with Sam to talk and I have a feeling I'm going to be begging Matilda to stop!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Miscellaneous
1. It is our 5th anniversary today. How can 5 years simutaneously feel like both an instant and an eternity?
2. Jackie and I are going to the cabin this weekend. Just the two of us!
3. If you do nothing else today, go watch this video. It makes me so happy! (I hope you don't mind the link, Tali!)
I'll be back Monday, tired and smelling like mothballs...
2. Jackie and I are going to the cabin this weekend. Just the two of us!
3. If you do nothing else today, go watch this video. It makes me so happy! (I hope you don't mind the link, Tali!)
I'll be back Monday, tired and smelling like mothballs...
Thursday, August 13, 2009
It's Never Too Late
I think everyone remembers how it felt to long for that perfect present at Christmas or on a birthday. Hinting, hoping, shaking the box...
I received way more than my fair share of awesome presents over the years but there were a few things I wanted and couldn't help still thinking about as an adult. Three years ago Jackie gave me a tiny black-and-white TV as a gag gift. The screen was about three inches and there was a dial tuner on the side. I LOVED IT!! I always wanted a TV in my bedroom when I was younger. I thought that would be the coolest thing in the world. The TVs I'd look at in the store were all tiny black-and-whites with dial tuners. Jackie was baffled by my reaction - you know, because I'm an adult now with a large color TV with cable and Tivo - but there was just something about finally having something I'd always wanted.
The magic happened again this year. My uncle Bret handed me a brown paper bag and said, "Happy birthday!" I looked in and saw them: five boxes imprinted with NKOTB on the top. I stopped breathing. I started pulling them out and they were all there. Donnie, Jordan, Jonathan, Joe, and Danny, each in their original box. I thought my heart was going to stop and they'd find me unconscious on the floor surrounded by their little plastic bodies.
I didn't have New Kids on the Block dolls when I was 10, but now that I'm 30 - they're all mine!!
I received way more than my fair share of awesome presents over the years but there were a few things I wanted and couldn't help still thinking about as an adult. Three years ago Jackie gave me a tiny black-and-white TV as a gag gift. The screen was about three inches and there was a dial tuner on the side. I LOVED IT!! I always wanted a TV in my bedroom when I was younger. I thought that would be the coolest thing in the world. The TVs I'd look at in the store were all tiny black-and-whites with dial tuners. Jackie was baffled by my reaction - you know, because I'm an adult now with a large color TV with cable and Tivo - but there was just something about finally having something I'd always wanted.
The magic happened again this year. My uncle Bret handed me a brown paper bag and said, "Happy birthday!" I looked in and saw them: five boxes imprinted with NKOTB on the top. I stopped breathing. I started pulling them out and they were all there. Donnie, Jordan, Jonathan, Joe, and Danny, each in their original box. I thought my heart was going to stop and they'd find me unconscious on the floor surrounded by their little plastic bodies.
I didn't have New Kids on the Block dolls when I was 10, but now that I'm 30 - they're all mine!!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
39 - 18 - 33
I had a really good reason for getting my old Barbies out for Sam. I will explain in a later post.
I was surprised to just have one Barbie in my old toys box. I've weeded them out through the years and just have the one Crystal Barbie and a gallon-size ziploc of clothes. I brought them up to Sam and he was really excited.
Within 30 seconds Crystal Barbie's head was off. Sam paused just a moment, looking at the decapitated little body, and then worked it into his play. "AAAAAAAHHH!" Headless Barbie cried, as she ran around like, well, a chicken with its head cut off.
I wedged her little head on and gave her back to Sam. Sam started to laugh. "Mom," he said, "She is naked!" I offered to put one of her evening gowns on her but he refused.
Now Crystal Barbie belongs to Sam. Her head will not stay on. Sam put her head in his toybox and plays with her body. Headless Barbie is still completely naked, but sometimes holds a little pink ski pole. She spends most of her time talking with cars and riding on Sam's trains.
I've messed up again, haven't I?
I was surprised to just have one Barbie in my old toys box. I've weeded them out through the years and just have the one Crystal Barbie and a gallon-size ziploc of clothes. I brought them up to Sam and he was really excited.
Within 30 seconds Crystal Barbie's head was off. Sam paused just a moment, looking at the decapitated little body, and then worked it into his play. "AAAAAAAHHH!" Headless Barbie cried, as she ran around like, well, a chicken with its head cut off.
I wedged her little head on and gave her back to Sam. Sam started to laugh. "Mom," he said, "She is naked!" I offered to put one of her evening gowns on her but he refused.
Now Crystal Barbie belongs to Sam. Her head will not stay on. Sam put her head in his toybox and plays with her body. Headless Barbie is still completely naked, but sometimes holds a little pink ski pole. She spends most of her time talking with cars and riding on Sam's trains.
I've messed up again, haven't I?
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Where Did It Come From?
Sam should be an introvert. Both Eric and I have horrible social anxiety. Sam has spent 90% of his life inside, with me. He should be frightened around people and hiss at the sunlight. Perhaps all of the protection I have given him has caused the opposite effect - he couldn't be any less like his parents.
This weekend my great-aunt and uncle celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. A huge, weekend-long party was planned. We all reserved rooms for Friday and Saturday nights. I realized a few weeks ago that there was little chance I'd get Matilda to sleep in the hotel. (My trade-off for her sleeping so well in her crib - she will not sleep anywhere else!) I told my mom that we would not be staying in the hotel and she suggested that Sam go without me. I warily agreed. I repeatedly asked Sam if he wanted to go.
"Sam, do you want to go stay in a hotel with Bay - "
"Yes."
"...but Mom and Dad and Tilda won't be there - "
"Yes."
"...it'll just be Bay and Miranda and James - "
"An' Jackie an' Mike?"
"Yes. But not Mom or Dad."
"Oh. Yes."
I worried that when it came time to actually go he'd change his mind. Mom, Miranda and James came over on Friday to pick him up. He saw them pull into the driveway and ran to get his shoes. He wildly packed his Elmo bag with books and Big Bird and went outside. I could hardly get his seat into the car before he was climbing in and asking me to put on his seatbelt. He gave me a distracted kiss and impatiently motioned for me to shut his door so Miranda could back out of the driveway.
Well.
Matilda and I went over today to join the fun. I got story after story about Sam being sweet and well-behaved and happy and friendly. Distant relatives I rarely see came up to tell me about Sam running to them with a cheerful, "HI!"
Today before I left there was a random group of people standing together. Sam, with no prompting, began going around the group giving hugs. He had never met any of these people. One distant cousin looked to me with a smile and said, "Where does he get that?" All I know for sure is that it was not from me. I answered that it must have come from Jackie.
Sam at three years old is more outgoing and confident than I have been in my entire life. I don't know where it came from - but I am so thankful he has it!
This weekend my great-aunt and uncle celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. A huge, weekend-long party was planned. We all reserved rooms for Friday and Saturday nights. I realized a few weeks ago that there was little chance I'd get Matilda to sleep in the hotel. (My trade-off for her sleeping so well in her crib - she will not sleep anywhere else!) I told my mom that we would not be staying in the hotel and she suggested that Sam go without me. I warily agreed. I repeatedly asked Sam if he wanted to go.
"Sam, do you want to go stay in a hotel with Bay - "
"Yes."
"...but Mom and Dad and Tilda won't be there - "
"Yes."
"...it'll just be Bay and Miranda and James - "
"An' Jackie an' Mike?"
"Yes. But not Mom or Dad."
"Oh. Yes."
I worried that when it came time to actually go he'd change his mind. Mom, Miranda and James came over on Friday to pick him up. He saw them pull into the driveway and ran to get his shoes. He wildly packed his Elmo bag with books and Big Bird and went outside. I could hardly get his seat into the car before he was climbing in and asking me to put on his seatbelt. He gave me a distracted kiss and impatiently motioned for me to shut his door so Miranda could back out of the driveway.
Well.
Matilda and I went over today to join the fun. I got story after story about Sam being sweet and well-behaved and happy and friendly. Distant relatives I rarely see came up to tell me about Sam running to them with a cheerful, "HI!"
Today before I left there was a random group of people standing together. Sam, with no prompting, began going around the group giving hugs. He had never met any of these people. One distant cousin looked to me with a smile and said, "Where does he get that?" All I know for sure is that it was not from me. I answered that it must have come from Jackie.
Sam at three years old is more outgoing and confident than I have been in my entire life. I don't know where it came from - but I am so thankful he has it!
Happy birthday, Papa!
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