Guthrie is currently sleeping. In his own bed. By himself. In his room. In his bed. By himself. Alone. Sleeping.
I'd take a picture, but the flash would wake him up.
How'd he get that way? (Asleep. Alone. In his own bed.)
His amazing, incredible, miraculous, wonderful, super big sister, Samantha. Yep.
Okay, that combined with the threat that Daddy was going to pick him up and take him to bed. He closed his eyes to pretend he was going to sleep, and really did!
If only it would last.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
We're home
We're unpacked. The floor, which less than 24 hours ago was spotless, looks like the Christmas gift Grandma (thank you!) train derailed on it. We have all our little ones with us. We are (or at least I am) exhausted. And so no news for now. I leave you with pics, and will tell tales of travels, toddlers, and testosterone later.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
My husband announced
that the women he drools over are, not necessarily in this order,Julie Adrews and Ingrid Bergman. That, if given the choice, he would take Julie Andrews over Lauren Bacall.
Prompted, I'm sure, by watching the last two nights, Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music.
Since all of these women, now, are either old or dead, I'm not too worried. I'm still not sure how I feel about it though.
Julie Andrews?
Prompted, I'm sure, by watching the last two nights, Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music.
Since all of these women, now, are either old or dead, I'm not too worried. I'm still not sure how I feel about it though.
Julie Andrews?
Saturday, December 16, 2006
"Ouch," cried Turner.
The title is a quote from Guthrie last night. He "pushed" Turner down (it was a rather gentle push, more of a "helping him into a sitting position"), and then made the above statement.
Made me wonder if he doesn't hear a few TOO many stories. I know that's not really possible, but the kid has suddenly been speaking as if the entire world is a giant storybook to be narrated.
Could quite likely be his newfound obsession with all things Thomas, and the way the Thomas movies (which we so kindly - or crazily - bought him to get him through his illness) are narrated, the characters themselves not speaking the words but instead George or Ringo (or whoever it is who does it on the videos we have) altering their voices and reading the storybook.
Anyway, it's cute as all hell, and had me cracking up for hours afterward - I just kept looking at Eric and saying " 'Ouch,' cried Turner" - but I don't know if it's really a good thing. He plays with his little trains and toys, and instead of just making them speak, he does the, " 'Hello,' said James, 'What are you doing Percy?'"
Cute kid. Weird kid.
"What do I do with him?" said his mother.
Oh, and I might add, that with this newfound Thomas obsession, not only is Eric's friend officially "George the Steamroller," and his friend Gordon a "talking train," but I am Mama the Tank Engine. We're all trains. I'm a steamie, Daddy and Guthrie are diesels. But Turner is just a boy. Shows what he thinks is important.
Made me wonder if he doesn't hear a few TOO many stories. I know that's not really possible, but the kid has suddenly been speaking as if the entire world is a giant storybook to be narrated.
Could quite likely be his newfound obsession with all things Thomas, and the way the Thomas movies (which we so kindly - or crazily - bought him to get him through his illness) are narrated, the characters themselves not speaking the words but instead George or Ringo (or whoever it is who does it on the videos we have) altering their voices and reading the storybook.
Anyway, it's cute as all hell, and had me cracking up for hours afterward - I just kept looking at Eric and saying " 'Ouch,' cried Turner" - but I don't know if it's really a good thing. He plays with his little trains and toys, and instead of just making them speak, he does the, " 'Hello,' said James, 'What are you doing Percy?'"
Cute kid. Weird kid.
"What do I do with him?" said his mother.
Oh, and I might add, that with this newfound Thomas obsession, not only is Eric's friend officially "George the Steamroller," and his friend Gordon a "talking train," but I am Mama the Tank Engine. We're all trains. I'm a steamie, Daddy and Guthrie are diesels. But Turner is just a boy. Shows what he thinks is important.
HO! HO! HO!
Why do we feel the need to subject our children, our beautiful babies, who we got fat and ugly while pregnant with, and nourished with only the milk from our own bodies for goodness knows how long, to this sort of strange torture? Especially when we know that, decades from now, they will turn crimson in embarassment when we show these pictures to their girlfriends, college roommates, and future spouses?
But ain't he cute? It's a naked elf eating Eeyore.
Those Crazy Vegetarians
This news story didn't surprise me in the least. The higher a kid's IQ, the more likely they are to become vegetarian as young adults. A new idea for why higher intelligence is related to better health.
Totally is supported by my experience, too. I can't say I've ever known a dumb vegetarian. Usually, it is the stupidest people, too, who are most appalled at the idea of giving up meat, and who can't fathom how could possibly get everything you need without eating a dead animal.
(Realize I'm making this argument as someone who is NOT a vegetarian. I have, at times, gone a month or more without meat, but am, by my own admission, too weak and lazy to go all the way. And could never, never, never go vegan. I love cheese. I mean I LOVE cheese. As in, a world without cheese makes me very, very sad. Gruyere. Bleu. Hell, sharp cheddar - I don't care. I freakin' love cheese.)
And even among the people I know who do eat meat, the more educated and intelligent the person is, the less meat they eat, the more open they are to eating meat-less meals, and the more they care, in general, about food issues.
Ha! Although we are going to the grocery store soon, where we'll be buying our "road trip" food - lots of soda, juice, Cheetos for GusGus, I want me some guacamole Doritos, and probably some lunch meat and cheese for sandwiches. Another veggie issue: how do you eat meat-less, and healthy, on road trips? Fairly certain we're not going to find a "great little vegetarian restaurant" in Guthrie, Oklahoma, or off the Kansas Turnpike. (Or we could take the Turner Turnpike north of Guthrie, to complete the namesake-filled trip. Ah, but we'll already be passing through the Turner Falls region of Oklahoma)
Curious about other people I know. Vegetarian now? Ever been? Open to meat-free meals? How does that relate to your IQ? (Yeah, I know, trusting self-assessment of IQ can be a bad idea: "I've never been tested, but my mom told me I was a genius!" does not cut it.) For myself: I'd actually have to dig up my score, which I'm not going to do, since I can't remember the exact number. I looked up a chart, though, and I fall firmly in the "gifted" range, and am heading further down the meatless path everyday. Eric is the same, although his number is higher than mine, and might be right up in the genius area.
Totally is supported by my experience, too. I can't say I've ever known a dumb vegetarian. Usually, it is the stupidest people, too, who are most appalled at the idea of giving up meat, and who can't fathom how could possibly get everything you need without eating a dead animal.
(Realize I'm making this argument as someone who is NOT a vegetarian. I have, at times, gone a month or more without meat, but am, by my own admission, too weak and lazy to go all the way. And could never, never, never go vegan. I love cheese. I mean I LOVE cheese. As in, a world without cheese makes me very, very sad. Gruyere. Bleu. Hell, sharp cheddar - I don't care. I freakin' love cheese.)
And even among the people I know who do eat meat, the more educated and intelligent the person is, the less meat they eat, the more open they are to eating meat-less meals, and the more they care, in general, about food issues.
Ha! Although we are going to the grocery store soon, where we'll be buying our "road trip" food - lots of soda, juice, Cheetos for GusGus, I want me some guacamole Doritos, and probably some lunch meat and cheese for sandwiches. Another veggie issue: how do you eat meat-less, and healthy, on road trips? Fairly certain we're not going to find a "great little vegetarian restaurant" in Guthrie, Oklahoma, or off the Kansas Turnpike. (Or we could take the Turner Turnpike north of Guthrie, to complete the namesake-filled trip. Ah, but we'll already be passing through the Turner Falls region of Oklahoma)
Curious about other people I know. Vegetarian now? Ever been? Open to meat-free meals? How does that relate to your IQ? (Yeah, I know, trusting self-assessment of IQ can be a bad idea: "I've never been tested, but my mom told me I was a genius!" does not cut it.) For myself: I'd actually have to dig up my score, which I'm not going to do, since I can't remember the exact number. I looked up a chart, though, and I fall firmly in the "gifted" range, and am heading further down the meatless path everyday. Eric is the same, although his number is higher than mine, and might be right up in the genius area.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Beta?
I think I'm finally going to attempt to upgrade to Beta. I've been having problems posting comments to other people's blogs, and wonder if this is part of the reason why. And I hate being behind the curve. :P Bare with me if this get weird. Wish me luck.
And, I finaly got around to coming into this decade and setting up a Myspace profile. It's lame and I need to add more, but Eric and I were browsing MySpace last night looking for people (we found mine, but not his), and I figured I should make it easy for people to find me too. Although the ease with which you can find your old people was a little bizarre, and I must admit I'm having a bit of a strange MySpace hangover this morning, having dsicovered the pictures and profiles of various people I haven't seen or talked to in nearly a decade. I knew I would have MySpace dreams all night last night, but instead it was X-Files dreams: I was Scully. And I wasn't doing what I wanted to be with Mulder. *sigh*
And, I finaly got around to coming into this decade and setting up a Myspace profile. It's lame and I need to add more, but Eric and I were browsing MySpace last night looking for people (we found mine, but not his), and I figured I should make it easy for people to find me too. Although the ease with which you can find your old people was a little bizarre, and I must admit I'm having a bit of a strange MySpace hangover this morning, having dsicovered the pictures and profiles of various people I haven't seen or talked to in nearly a decade. I knew I would have MySpace dreams all night last night, but instead it was X-Files dreams: I was Scully. And I wasn't doing what I wanted to be with Mulder. *sigh*
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Still sick
There is an advantage to having sick kids. You suddenly have very cuddly kids.
This was how I spent my evening yesterday. Turner was asleep, and Guthrie fell asleep rather quickly. Excuse my exposed belly - at home I nurse and half the time I forget to cover myself back up.
This was how I spent my evening yesterday. Turner was asleep, and Guthrie fell asleep rather quickly. Excuse my exposed belly - at home I nurse and half the time I forget to cover myself back up.
Somehow, I've managed not to get sick. Eric came down with the stomach bug in the middle of the night last night, but is starting to feel better now - and managed to go into work today! Guthrie never got the stomach ickies. He was running a 103 degree fever off and on, had a runny nose, and just generally was tired and feeling bad, but no major symptoms. He's had this happen once before - high fever, no other real symptoms, over it in a few days.
He spent most of the day on the couch today, watching the Thomas and Friends movies Daddy bought him yesterday at the store.
He's feeling better now, I think. His fever seems to be gone, and he got off the couch to play with his toys for the first time today. The adventure will be getting him to sleep.
At least we got sick before our trip. And maybe I can get some sleep before we leave - with two sick kids, I haven't gotten much at all.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Sick
I've had fantasies of Guthrie some day just crawling into a comfy position and laying down to fall asleep. He's almost 3, and he's never really done it. Until today:
Unfortunately, it's because he's sick.
Poor things. Turner started throwing up last night about 9 o'clock, and kept it up off and on for most of the night. This morning it switched ends, and he had a fever. This afternoon, I was sitting in a chair holding a sleeping Turner when Guthrie climbed up next to me, and I noticed I was surrounded by little hot men - Guthrie had a fever too. Shortly after Eric got home from work, GusGus (he doesn't like being called Gus, but GusGus is okay) lay down on the floor, and when I checked on him he was asleep. I'm guessing he'll wake us up shortly with the pukies, too.
But in today's good news, we got our health insurance cards in the mail today. Yep, that's right, we're now insured! Isn't that the most amazing, incredible thing ever? And what timing - the boys get sick on the day we get our insurance cards!
We'll be taking off for Missouri in a week. So much to do to get ready - groceries, wrap gifts, laundry - I have 4 differents lists going! But we can't wait to see everybody.
No other news, really. Eric's friend George came to visit last week. In the Thomas the Tank Engine books, George is the steamroller. Guthrie was unable to say the name "George" without following it up with "the steamroller." George is getting a silly Christmas present from us soon because of that.
Turner sitting on a slide
Guthrie at the park
OH, and I might add that I'm still having a hard time with the fact that we finally put up Christmas lights and little miniature trees while our tree is still blooming and we had to turn the a/c back on today.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Heifer International
Click the link in the title to check out this organization.
I'd never heard of this group before this holiday season, but apparently they got my name through some of my crazy liberal associations. I've been looking for ways to donate and try to do more than give some toys or a Christmas dinner, and this looks like it might be it. I can't do so much as to give a heifer this year, but maybe something smaller.
I was trying to explain this to Guthrie earlier, too. I've been trying to think of something to do for the wonderful lady who does story hour at the library, who used to be a teacher and I'm certain has entirely too many cheesy knick-knacks and thank you plaques sitting around her house. We were thinking of making a gift of a beehive, or some chicks, or maybe a trio of rabbits in her name, along with a tray of cookies. She strikes me as the type who would appreciate that more than another apple paperweight.
If you haven't decided on your holiday giving yet, go check it out. It really struck home with me.
I'd never heard of this group before this holiday season, but apparently they got my name through some of my crazy liberal associations. I've been looking for ways to donate and try to do more than give some toys or a Christmas dinner, and this looks like it might be it. I can't do so much as to give a heifer this year, but maybe something smaller.
I was trying to explain this to Guthrie earlier, too. I've been trying to think of something to do for the wonderful lady who does story hour at the library, who used to be a teacher and I'm certain has entirely too many cheesy knick-knacks and thank you plaques sitting around her house. We were thinking of making a gift of a beehive, or some chicks, or maybe a trio of rabbits in her name, along with a tray of cookies. She strikes me as the type who would appreciate that more than another apple paperweight.
If you haven't decided on your holiday giving yet, go check it out. It really struck home with me.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Yes, it is okay
To whoever found me through a search for "is it okay not to have a large family, homeschool and grind wheat," yes, yes it is okay. And if you're doing a google search to find the answer to that question, I say it's probably best if you don't. Just my opinion though.
Thanks for putting a smile on my face, and leaving me a little confused.
Thanks for putting a smile on my face, and leaving me a little confused.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Holiday Meme
Got this in an e-mail from my friend Tonya. Now everyone knows I'm a big old scrooge around the holidays, and get annoyed hearing holiday music starting in October and seeing lights up before Thanksgiving, but I do like the holidays. Really I do. So here goes.
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate. I hate egg nog. Barf.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? As a kid I think ours were wrapped. Eric and I leave the gifts from Santa out under the tree.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored. If we do lights this year.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Yeah, usually. Who doesn't want another excuse for a kiss.
5. When do you put your decorations up? Not until after Thanksgiving, but generally when we get around to it. Hopefully before the 25th. :P
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Pumpkin Pie Cake
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Getting my John Deere combine as a present.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I was 7. My parents told me, because they thought we were going to be poor that year and I wouldn't have presents and would figure it all out, so they told me first, in the summer. There's actually more to this, and the fact that this was one of the more traumatic moments of my life, but that needs its own post someday.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Christmas morning.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? With whatever we have - no theme. Handmade construction paper ornaments, glass balls, whatever.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Eh ... I'd like one snow and that's it. Not going to happen in South Texas, though.
12. Can you ice skate? Yeah, right!
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I'll have to think about it. I got my engagement ring from Eric around Christmas time, I guess that counts.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spiked cider.
15. What is your favorite Holiday dessert? fudge is good
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Driving around looking at lights.
17. What tops your tree? a star
18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving, especially to the kids
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? "God Rest Ye merry Gentlemen," and the tune of "What Child is This." I'll Be ome for Christmas always makes me cry, even if I am "home."
20. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? okay
21. Favorite Christmas movie? It's a Wonderful Life - need to buy it on DVD.
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate. I hate egg nog. Barf.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? As a kid I think ours were wrapped. Eric and I leave the gifts from Santa out under the tree.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored. If we do lights this year.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Yeah, usually. Who doesn't want another excuse for a kiss.
5. When do you put your decorations up? Not until after Thanksgiving, but generally when we get around to it. Hopefully before the 25th. :P
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Pumpkin Pie Cake
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Getting my John Deere combine as a present.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I was 7. My parents told me, because they thought we were going to be poor that year and I wouldn't have presents and would figure it all out, so they told me first, in the summer. There's actually more to this, and the fact that this was one of the more traumatic moments of my life, but that needs its own post someday.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Christmas morning.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? With whatever we have - no theme. Handmade construction paper ornaments, glass balls, whatever.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Eh ... I'd like one snow and that's it. Not going to happen in South Texas, though.
12. Can you ice skate? Yeah, right!
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I'll have to think about it. I got my engagement ring from Eric around Christmas time, I guess that counts.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spiked cider.
15. What is your favorite Holiday dessert? fudge is good
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Driving around looking at lights.
17. What tops your tree? a star
18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving, especially to the kids
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? "God Rest Ye merry Gentlemen," and the tune of "What Child is This." I'll Be ome for Christmas always makes me cry, even if I am "home."
20. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? okay
21. Favorite Christmas movie? It's a Wonderful Life - need to buy it on DVD.
These are the moments ...
Yesterday, I had one of those moments when I just knew what it was all about, what I was doing this all for.
The boys were playing (!) together (!) in their bedroom (!) in their little playhut school bus. I was on the floor next to them, watching. Suddenly, Guthrie just reached over, grabbed Turner and held him close, and said "I love you." Oh, yeah, it definitely did bring tears to my eyes. Eric walked in right after, and I was a bumbling mess.
I have to remember that moment when Guthrie is trying to drag Turner around and away from his toys. Or screaming at us because he doesn't want to go to bed.
In other, completely unrelated news, dishwasher cleaner rocks! We have the cleanest, sparklingest dishwasher ever right now. We also have a sink full of dirty dishes which I'm not going to bother with until tomorrow, but you should see our dishwasher! Totally worth the $5 (or however much it cost) for that stuff. And I think it finally got rid of the fish oil smell too!
The boys were playing (!) together (!) in their bedroom (!) in their little playhut school bus. I was on the floor next to them, watching. Suddenly, Guthrie just reached over, grabbed Turner and held him close, and said "I love you." Oh, yeah, it definitely did bring tears to my eyes. Eric walked in right after, and I was a bumbling mess.
I have to remember that moment when Guthrie is trying to drag Turner around and away from his toys. Or screaming at us because he doesn't want to go to bed.
In other, completely unrelated news, dishwasher cleaner rocks! We have the cleanest, sparklingest dishwasher ever right now. We also have a sink full of dirty dishes which I'm not going to bother with until tomorrow, but you should see our dishwasher! Totally worth the $5 (or however much it cost) for that stuff. And I think it finally got rid of the fish oil smell too!
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