Tales From the 'Vine

oops

2009-01-29T18:51:00.000-08:00

This poor little blog gets so neglected. I hope anyone reading this knows, but we had our second child. About a month a go. Oops. Here is a photo of the boys. I will try to keep this one more up to date with pictures, especially for the grandparents. But two kids is hard. Especially with our Cupcakes and Cutlery blog. That is much more of a priority. And if I get 10 minutes to post, I have to do it there since we have actual followers. Not many, but a few. So, I guess, happy new year!

Elf on the Shelf

2008-12-10T18:41:00.000-08:00

So Grandma Marilyn got our family this really cool holiday keepsake. It is called Elf on the Shelf and I should put a link in here of where you can buy it, but I am too lazy. Anyway, starting at the beginning of December, you place the Elf, which your child names (ours is named Carl) on a shelf and the story goes that he goes back to the North Pole every night to tell Santa if the child has been good or bad and also what they want for Christmas. So someone is supposed to move it every night so it is kind of like a scavenger hunt for Carl. Last year, O was okay with it, but really didn't know what is going on. But this year, when we started talking about him, the mere idea of Carl was too evil for O. But we got him out anyway and placed him on a shelf. It has taken a few days for him to be okay with Carl being in the home and now even kind of likes him. Every once in a while though he freaks out about Carl. Like when he saw me taking a picture. He was yelling at me to stop taking pictures because Carl was so special. But here are a few that I got. It really is a fun tradition and I can't wait for O to teach baby brother all about him. And if any of you were wondering if O's 15 minutes were up yet. No, they quite clearly are not considering that this is he and his friend, E, at the Mission Viejo Mall last week. We are still semi-famous.

my guy

2008-11-21T09:26:00.000-08:00

O and I have taken to doing crafts. He likes the idea but when it comes right down to it, he doesn't understand that there is an end to the project. We recently put together a foam gingerbread house. We had gotten it all put together and I had even let him be in charge of the glue...and then he started ripping all the pieces apart again. But I managed to get him to stop and put things back on so that we could show daddy when he got home from work. Every time we go to a craft store I buy a little, cheap craft and we have a lot of fun doing them. He is really looking forward to making foam ornaments but today we have to back a cake on account of daddy's birthday. Happy Birthday Daddy!

My sister and her family are stars

2008-11-07T14:10:00.000-08:00

So my sister loves good food. She is a good cook herself, but like me, of course we like it more if people cook for us. She had an amazing opportunity to have a chef come to her house and cook a Thanksgiving inspired meal for a spread in a local magazine. And the meal was cooked in less than an hour. Apparently, it can be done. So check out the article from the local magazine's website. I can't wait to see the magazine when it comes out!!!! Aren't my nieces so cute!!!! That is little B staring at the food. Sis, maybe you should feed her more...

Soda tried to eat my son

2008-09-10T07:21:00.001-07:00

So last night. O was sitting on his dad's lap. And Dad went to take a sip of soda. O decided it would be awesome to grab the can and ended up with soda all down the front of him. Dad removed his shirt and O went off to play. A little bit later, I noticed that O was scratching his stomach and when I took him to better light I found he had red welts all over his stomach and some he was scratchy until they were bloody!!! I immediately gave him some benadryl and then kept him up a little while longer to make sure his breathing was normal. The only ingredient listed in the soda that looks like it could be a problem was "caramel color" which can sometimes contain milk. Now I have never tried pouring milk on my son to see if he reacts, but I don't think I will now. That was the worst hives I have seen him have ever. There is a chance it wasn't because of the soda, but I have no idea what else it could have been. And his dinner was something he has eaten before. I hate food allergies. And just in case all you relatives want to make sure that this doesn't happen on your watch, the name of the soda rhymes with Tepsi.

Totally out numbered

2008-08-18T06:51:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to make sure everyone knew!! It's a boy! Another one. I'm totally out numbered and will have to learn how to wrestle now!!! O can't wait to meet his new brother. No names picked yet. Hopefully we'll find some that we like soon.

CPK I heart you!

2008-08-07T21:29:00.000-07:00

Tonight I discovered a very exciting thing. California Pizza Kitchen has their allergy info on their website. Which means that since I was already getting myself food, I could also get something for Oliver. He had the kids chicken and broccoli which looked amazing and to which I added lentils and fresh blueberries to round it out. Amazing. Usually, even if I eat out I have to cook his dinner so I can only be half lazy. So this was an amazing surprise to not have to. But to my dismay I looked at their locations list and think the closest CPK to where we are moving is 20 minutes away. So again, I feel dejected. I better go eat a gallon of ice cream to feel better.

a few more from Reno

2008-07-29T21:07:00.000-07:00

so what

2008-07-29T16:41:00.000-07:00

I know it has been a while since I posted. It has been very low priority. But I just finally sat down and went through the photos from our Fourth of July trip to Reno. I know, about a month ago now. But you all should be happy that there is a new post up at all and enjoy the photos.

Boom

2008-06-18T17:03:00.001-07:00

I have no idea what I am going to post about on Cupcakes and Cutlery tomorrow so I am procrastinating. But here is a post I have been meaning to put up for the past few days. Yup, I'm pregnant. Baby #2. Life as we know it is over. I am 11 1/2 weeks along and due Jan. 4, 2009. Seeing as O was a few weeks early, I am anticipating the same with this baby. I just pray it isn't born on Christmas. And I can say "it" because I don't know if it is a girl or a boy yet. And we're not sure we are going to find out. And just because I call it an "it" doesn't mean I love it any less. So there. This baby likes peaches and Taco Bell and gets lots of both (incidentaly, I have had more Taco Bell in the last two months then I did all of last year.) Okay, I better figure out what to post on my other blog now or my cohorts will be all over me.

We saw it

2008-06-05T18:27:00.001-07:00

So here is a pic from the day we went to see his ad in person. It was a lot bigger than I thought it would be. I saw his little face immediately when we got off the elevator from across the department. It was kind of weird. There was no one else in the place so we couldn't even really show off. And O was SSSOOOO not interested. He wanted to be running around the store instead of looking at himself. So far, the Mission Viejo Mall is the only place the photo is. So he is not nearly the star that he thought he was. We are going to cut his appearance fees for parties to $1,000 a piece. It's only fair.

Yeah, he's a star

2008-05-29T16:30:00.000-07:00

So O is the big time now. He now part of the display for Split toddler clothing at Macy's. Yeah. This was spotted by T during a shopping trip to the Mission Viejo Macy's. I wonder if he is anywhere else? My son is cooler than your son today.

Help me, help you

2008-05-24T18:31:00.000-07:00

So, O watched an episode of Dora the Explorer today. I used to limit the shows that he watched on account of their lameness and I'm selfish and feel like as a family, we are much cooler than the shows...but the joy he has when he watches them overpowers all of that. But I digress, so I took him in to change his diaper and he was laying on the changing table when he started saying, "ayudeme! ayudeme!" Luckily this is one of the words I still remember from junior high school. "Help me! Help me!" he was saying. It made me laugh really hard. He had no idea what he was saying but he just kept saying it and I just kept laughing. He is getting so funny. I think he will give his father a run for his money in the comedy department.

Surprise, a new post!

2008-05-21T16:19:00.000-07:00

Are you amazed to see a new post? I am quite frankly. I am sure you know that most of my time is now spent over at Cupcakes and Cutlery. It is a fun undertaking, but I had no idea just how long it would take to post an item. Needless to say with the working 6 hours a day, paying attention to my son and cooking dinner, there is not a whole lot of time for extra computer stuff. Celebrity gossip I miss you. I now have to catch up on it on my iphone when I use the restroom. Was that sharing too much? But I'm a multi-tasker. That's what I do. So to catch you up, O is now sleeping in his big boy bed. I was unsure of how to introduce it and did some very brief reading on the subject. That led me to have B put the bed together and leave it in our living room for weeks talking about it. Really we needed to further O proof his room and were just being lazy about it. So last Friday, was the big night. It had also been my intention to take the pacifier at the same time. The bed thing worked out pretty well. Taking the pacifier, not so much. He got out of the bed only once and now he waits for me to get out of the bed in the morning. But the pacifier, wow. He really likes that thing. He was hysterical for an hour and I couldn't console him. It was then that B and I discussed that if he wanted to use it until he is 8, then he can. So there. But only at night mind you. Not out and about. And I'm sure you will notice the jammies above. Yes they are Christmas. And yes it is May. So.

First Sixth Annual Grilled Cheese Invitational

2008-04-28T19:47:00.000-07:00

Many of you have inquired about this fine event that I recently went to. Me and the girls (T & E) had tried to go last year but didn't make it. In previous years, the event was very underground. The organizers are a rag tag bunch of crazies from Los Angeles who didn't permit the event and would just tell everyone to show up at a certain location at a certain time and be ready to cook your grilled cheese sammiches. But since more and more people have found out about it this was the first year that they decided to go legit and permit it. But then a few key media sources linked the addy and the organizers advised to arrive as early as possible and that they would have to close the event when it reached a certain limit. So, any who, we left a very important bridal shower early to ensure that we would make it in. And we did!!! Oh the joy! You could smell the grilled cheese in the air. We first came upon the Kraft (a big sponsor for the event, given that it is grilled cheese month after all) tent handing out free 1/4s of grilled cheeses. We visited them often. I think we may have had about 6 1/2 total sandwiches each from them. Then they announced how the competition would work and then it was under way. First up was the "missionary" category. Only white bread, cheese and butter allowed (other categories include dessert and anything goes). A few hundred people gathered around the grilling area as the teams began putting together their masterpieces. It was here that past the man in the long sleeve fish net shirt with an amazing amount of chest hair and hair down to his waste, that E spotted a table of young hipsters deep in competition mode. Unfortunately, that did not include any kind of sanitary practices as we spied that they were not wearing plastic gloves and running their fingers through their haphazard hair dos and also licking their fingers when they would get something on them. And then touching their sandwiches. Which we were supposed to eat. I tried to suspend my normally stringent cleanliness codes to embrace the devil may care attitude of the event. So we waited for 10 minutes and finally got our hands on a 1/4 of a grilled cheese sandwich from a nice clean looking lady wearing a baby. It tasted...like a grilled cheese only slightly less better then the ones that kraft was giving out. After another 10 minutes of not seeing another sandwich even come close to our vicinity, we realized that we would, in no way, be close to trying most of the sandwiches, nor make it to the dessert round. So we cut our loses and drove to Sunset for dinner at Ketchup. But not before grabbing another 1/4 from the Kraft table. So you would think we had enough cheese to last us a lifetime right? No, E ordered a grilled cheese for dinner!!! (in her defense the menu said it was white cheddar and who doesn't love that! I had a great time that day with my girls as we were also celebrating my birthday and spent some quality time together. I propose our own OC grilled cheese cook off...in a nice clean kitchen with some nice refrigerated cheese and butter and clean hands and hair nets...

Head

2008-04-17T15:47:00.001-07:00

So O is all about putting things on his head right now. If anyone knows why, please let me know (Grandma GG I think this may have your name written all over it...:) If there is a hat lying around, he'll put it on. He especially loves daddy's hats. But lately he has been putting tote bags, lunch pails, etc. What a nut. And on the way home today, he kept saying "suck". And then he started shouting "suck mom" so I am thinking that I truly offended him in some way. If I figure out how I wronged him, I will let you all know. Also just wanted to let you all know that I will be attending the First Sixth Annual Grilled Cheese Invitational this weekend. Rest assured I will let you all know how that goes.

Happy Birthday Everyday

2008-04-15T19:47:00.000-07:00

Let me first start by apologizing to my sister in law, Alyson. In no way, did I intend to offend her or infer that she is a terrible mother in my previous post. I had not been thinking clearly when I titled the post Horrible Mother and then uploaded a photo of her daughter to be run immediately after the title. She is not a horrible mother, in fact she is the best mother in the world. Even more motherly than Mother Theresa...okay I might be pushing it a bit now...So again, sorry! I'd also like to say that I realize I have been neglecting this blarg (which is now what B and I call blogs after watching a super funny episode of Miss Guided on ABC. Do you guys watch that show? It is one of my favorites which must also mean that it is awful and doomed for cancellation...) because i have been having soooo much fun at my other blarg. If you haven't seen it yet, you have to go look. now. I'll wait.... So, with all of the birthdays that have happened recently, it has gotten us singing Happy Birthday rather often. So often in fact, O now asks for me to sing it to him every night after we read our book before bed. Since I only know, Itsy Spider and Twinkle Star, I am okay with having another option. And at first we sang it to different family members. Then it branched out to his friends at daycare. Soon we began singing it all the way to daycare and he then added in Starbucks, trees, houses and cups to the list. But it took a weird turn last night. First we sang it to the color Blue (or maybe he has seen Old School and was singing it to the old man character named Blue). Then we sang it to banana and I tried very hard to keep a straight face. And then, hold on to your hats and glasses, we sang it to time out! I just about lost it. I hurried and laid him down and ran out to tell B about it. So funny! And again, tonight, we sang it to time out, but this time also added, lion, diapers and potty. And since I had encourage singing Twinkle Star instead of Happy Birthday, we capped off the night singing Happy Birthday to Little Star. This kid is so funny! And I came across the above picture and had to post it. Everyone always says O looks like my dad and they certainly do resemble each other. I think O has the same size head!

Horrible Mother

2008-04-07T19:13:00.000-07:00

How gross is it that I was almost happy that Oliver had to go in time out so I could start writing a post? Sheesh. Almost as gross as when I was at Target on Sunday and had a coupon for $10 off a purchase of $100 or more and was hoping it was more then a hundred bucks. Which really I shouldn't have worried about because it is ALWAYS over $100. The dollar section really adds up. Hmm, wouldn't you know it, when I went to spring O from the clink (timeout) he wasn't there!!! Seems I inadvertently left his bedroom door open and he was behind the rocking chair sitting with a book. So more time out. Yeah me! Anywho. Okay, i just put him down to sleep so hopefully he'll drift off in to never never land really quickly. doesn't he know that the Hills is new tonight and you can watch it on mtv.com before 10pm when it really airs? That is too late for mama. This is a photo of my niece that I just came across on the computer. she is five now. and super skinny. no more chubby cheekies.

Cupcakes and Cutlery is here!

2008-04-05T11:39:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I have not been posting here as frequently as I would like, but I wanted to let you all know about a new project I am working on with my sister in law, Alyson. You need to check it out and tell all your friends...Let me know what you think! I'm super excited about it. I think we could end up on Martha some day! www.cupcakesandcutlery.blogspot.com

Let them eat cake

2008-03-29T19:47:00.001-07:00

So we spent a chunk of the day at a park for cousin N's bday party. He is 1! It is crazy how time flies. O had a blast seeing the cousins and only nearly died a handful of times. And luckily when he found the knife to cut the cake with he didn't stab the little girl standing next to him. It would have been really hard to see him behind bars. Although he does look really cute in stripes. Here is the best part of the party. the before, during and after cake shots. Well, apparently my neighbors are having a party this evening so I am really hoping O can sleep through it and I can eat my ben and jerry's and read my us weekly in relative peace. Auntie mouse, the party turned out awesome. I can't wait for you to see the rest of the photos. P.S. I have one of who started smearing the icing all over N's face...

F U Earthquakes

2008-03-26T21:34:00.001-07:00

Stay tuned for a strongly worded letter to Earthquakes. But I am too shaken up at the moment to write it now. Pun intended.

Hmmmmm

2008-03-26T21:02:00.000-07:00

it seems like the time between posts is getting longer and longer... i guess the novelty has worn off again. i will let you know that i have all but given up hope on perfecting the iced tea. i think it may have been a gateway drug though as all of a sudden, i am CRAVING coffee in a big way. it doesn't even need to be from the bizzle. it can even have coffee grounds in it. that is how hooked i am. don't get me wrong, i still get the tea once in a while, but is it taking a back seat for good? that remains to be seen. i knew that i owe you a photo from the treat face post so it is above. As are a few other photos that you all may enjoy. what else can i update you on? this morning on the way to work/daycare, O started saying "w" over and over again. He usually doesn't say his letters until he sees them or we are talking about them so I turn around to see what he saw and he was holding up one hand and pointing to the last three fingers which resembled a "w." As if there was any doubt he was a genius. Hopefully by April 1, I will be able to direct you to a sort of secret project I've been working on. And that ain't no joke. But we probably could have thought out our launch strategy a bit better...what a fool. i'm being super lazy tonight cause i wanna go to sleep so i don't know or care what photos are in which order, but i am pretty sure you will be able to tell what's what. one is treat face, one is the local cousins on easter, one is oliver on easter morning with money he found in the first egg he found and then didn't care that there were more eggs and one is from the first time O had a soy cream sandwich, which apparently was very close to being another treat face incident...

O loves disco!

2008-03-13T07:06:00.000-07:00

This weekend we went to a little thing called Baby Loves Disco at the Shark Club in Costa Mesa. It was awesome. They turn a night club into a kiddie club from 2 -5 pm. The dj played disco and 80's and the dance floor had bubbles and fog. The full bar was open for the parents and they offered cocktail service to the seating areas. Not only could the kids dance and dance some more, they could also do baby yoga, get their hair done did with color sprays, get their faces painted, and play with all kinds of toys, they could also eat all kinds of provided snacks including juice boxes, cookies, crackers, cheese and fruit. The only hard part was making sure that O didn't eat any of the food that had been left lying around, on account of his dumb allergies. It would be so much fun to go with a big group of people...Let's do it! I will warn you though, the only thing I didn't like about this is that the floors were super sticky, like at a club. I don't know why, but for some reason, I thought they would have been able to clean this up...in any event, I wore flats and I kept walking right out of them as they stuck to the floor and I didn't...Now, stop thinking about how the kids are probably sitting on that floor from time to time, or picking things up off the floor. Just don't do it. Don't even let yourself think about it... And a big fat "What's Up?" to Allie C! I am up to 5 readers now!

On the fritz

2008-03-07T09:08:00.000-08:00

This is going to be quick 'cause I'm working for the weekend. Our home computer is in the shop. Not sure when it is coming back. But here is a quick thing that put a smile on my face this week. Recently, O has taken to waving and saying "hi" to Starbucks as we pass the two stores on our way to daycare. He doesn't even really see the stores, he just knows we are close and says in his pipsqueak voice, "hi starbucks!" and repeats this another 15 times before it is out of his system. It brings a tear to my eye...

Treat Face

2008-03-02T19:26:00.000-08:00

I knew one of the hardest parts about being a parent was going to be when O did something bad, that was at the same time hilarious, and trying to keep a straight face. Boy was I right. A few nights ago at dinner, O had some carrots. They were cut up in small pieces. I would love to know the thought process pulsing through his little brain that told him that pressing on the carrots with one finger as hard as he could would result in sheer comedy. I just sat there looking at him, like what is this little crazy doing? One finger pressed on to the carrot, so hard he was straining a bit. And then...a little carrot bullet shot across the table grazing my nose. He looked so startled, and after a moment of thinking decided, yeah, that was awesome! So he did it again twice more as I sat there shaking and sweating, trying not to crack a smile. But then, a few nights later, it was almost too much to bear. O has severe food allergies which two of my now three readers (holla jen m!) already know. I had found a recipe for a special treat that I knew he would devour. Since he can't have peanut butter, I found a recipe to make soy nut butter cups, complete with a layer of approved chocolate on top. I could see it in my head, he would love every minute of eating it and then be up for the next three days because of the sugar. But he's a kid and while I don't always indulge him, I had really been looking forward to making these. So, I made them and told him that once he ate all his dinner, he could have a treat. While finishing the green beans proved to be no easy task after a promise like this, he ate most of them and so I dutifully got up and broke off a piece of the soy nut butter cup. He took his first bite and you could tell he was in sugar ecstasy. I sat there are all warm and fuzzy knowing that at that moment, he liked me better then his dad. But after a few minutes I think the sugar started to kick in. He took the treat and put the chocolate side down on his face right between his eyes, and pushed it up his forehead and on to the top of his head leaving a chocolatey stripe in its wake. I looked at brian who was sitting across from me and had to put my head in my hands to keep from laughing or even letting O see my smile. And then he had it just sitting on his head, laughing maniacally (If you haven't seen this laugh, you all need to. It is crazy, and wonky eyed, and hysterical). Brian jumped up from the table and I think he's doing it so that O won't see him laughing. but he came back a moment later with the camera. You won't see a photo of him on this post though because at the moment, we can't download any photos to our computer. So check back often. I managed to tell him in a firm, but shaky voice that our food doesn't go on our head and eventually he took it down. While I cleaned up from one of the funniest meals ever, Brian took him in to give him a bath and showed him his face in the mirror. More maniacal laughing ensued. When the bath was over, O came out wrapped in a towel and chanted treat face, treat face! I love that kid!

Word to Brian's Mother

2008-02-18T22:28:00.000-08:00

Whose kid is this?

2008-02-15T16:06:00.000-08:00

O has been really funny since we got home today. But, I just sat him down with some juice and a snack he went crazy loco in the head. I gave him some dried blueberries (a superfood you know) and dried cranberries. He had asked for cookies, but we just have those a few times a week and we've already had several. Plus these berries are pure sugar. So I am feeling kind of bad, because I want to give him cookies every minute of every day because he's a kid and that is what being a kid is all about. And really good cookies too. With lots of butter and icing topped with sugar. But he can't have those kinds of cookies (on account of the devil allergies). I have cookies that he can have which he seems to really enjoy. But I also think of how healthy he is eating and I don't want all my hard work to go down the drain and give him empty calories everyday. Wow, but I digress a bit...and we won't discuss the cinnamon toast that I had for a snack...So he's just about done with his snack and he starts chanting something. And I'm trying to hear what it is. And then it dawns on me. He is chanting "vegetables! vegetables!" What the f? Seriously, who chants because they WANT vegetables. That would be my kid. I'm so glad that he likes vegetables. I don't know what I would do if he didn't. He's a good kid. I hope he doesn't find out that vegetables are good for him... Sheesh - again with the spellcheck! Looks like blogger is going to be on the receiving end of one strongly worded letter...

Straight up middle finger to the Bizzle

2008-02-12T17:05:00.000-08:00

Let me begin by saying I realize you all (all two of you) are probably really sick of hearing me talk about my adventures in iced tea. But I am going to have to retract my previous post about mastering it. Blame it on tea-overdosed taste buds, or a caffeine hallucination, but I still can't match the bizzle. Even the very next day, the tea tasted a bit different. And let me be clear, none of the tea has tasted bad. It just isn't the same as they make it at the bizzle. T Diddy schooled me on the fact that the bizzle using thrice filtered water. For not only their drinks, but also their ice. You heard me. 3 times filtered. How on earth are we supposed to duplicate that at home. The best I could do was to use filtered bottled water. But do you know where that water came from? What I'm about to tell you will give you an idea of the importance I am placing on perfecting the tea. The water came out of our emergency supply kit. And it has yet to be replaced. And there is one more jug of it down there that I am about to take as I need to dilute my newest batch. Oliver is covered. I have his stuff separate from ours and I know for a fact that we have plenty for him. But B and I will have to probably drink our own pee to stay hydrated. Wish me luck. My newest batch should hopefully have cooled enough for me to try. If this doesn't work we have to move on to T Diddy's two new iced tea makers to see if they can make the difference. Wish me luck. *Again with the spellcheck? What is this? Some kind of free service for people to use? At least it hopefully let me upload a picture of O. Please notice his middle finger which I chose in honor of my post title. But he's just a baby, he doesn't even know what he is doing is wrong. Please don't judge him and his lack of manners from this photo. He says please and thank you a lot.

Not so super tuesday

2008-02-06T16:17:00.001-08:00

How can it be called "Super Tuesday" if the only thing to watch on tv is Biggest Loser? Okay, One Tree Hill was also on, but I just never got in to that show. And the fact that K-Fed had/has a recurring role...need I say more. I hope that today is not "Wonderful Wednesday" so that all the normal shows are back on. I just really hate when politics creeps in to my life. I try really hard to be apathetic to everything and opinionless. Really, it leaves expectations really low which is a good thing in a president. Quite frankly I enjoy the Bush family. They have certainly entertained with daughters using fake id's to drink the Texas and made up words such as "strategery." If I had held him up on a pedistal, those things may have irritated me. When in fact it only made my heart grow fonder. I will maintain low standards for whoever takes office - crap we have a really long time of all this baby kissing and hand shaking until the actual elections - and imagine that they eat Chipotle just like me. Just stop f-ing with my tv shows. Note to reader (and I say reader because I think my mother in law is the only person who reads this): it would not let me use spellcheck so if there are any errors, I apologize.

Dwell has arrived!

2008-02-03T10:37:00.000-08:00

It is here!!!! I saw the ad for Target this morning and saw it. They are selling Dwell Studio now!! I know that I am not having another baby or anything right now and need absolutely none of the items, but I just love them. The cribs and other furniture are exactly what I wanted when we had O but they were like $800 at the cheapest. And while I still love the bedding my mom bought us the best, I would have happily settled for one of the new Target designs. Is this weird for me to be almost as excited about the new baby stuff as I am about iced tea? Okay, now I can go finish reading the rest of the ad. Hmmm, I wonder what is in the dollar section this week!!!!!!!

Mission: Accomplished

2008-02-01T20:37:00.000-08:00

If I die tonight it will be because my heart exploded from happiness. And there will Iced Tea everywhere. From my previous post you will know that I was not satisfied with my first attempt at duplicating the Bizzle Black Iced Tea, Unsweetened. My second attempt was even worse. I decided to not dilute the concentrate ahead of time, but just put it in the fridge and dilute by the cup each morning. Here's the thing. If you don't dilute the tea before refrigeration, it clouds. But not only does it cloud to a sort of rusty nails soaking in milk for days kind of color, it tastes close to something like that too. But given that I'm somewhat dim when it comes to all things kitchen related, I thought, wow, this is, like, SUPER concentrated. So I added a bit more water and off to work I went. a row. That morning, my heart started racing on account of the concentratedness of the tea. And I decided that the horrible taste didn't go away enough even as the ice melted and threw the batch out. Well, the taste and the insane mold that had started to grow on the top of the pitcher after only a day in the fridge. But tonight, T Diddy came over. And after hours of boiling and steeping and blind taste tests instituted by my husband, BG, we did it. We conquered the tea. After hours of them looking at me as if I was stark raving mad, and conducting wine-like tastings complete with swishing and swirling, we did it. With the help of reading the 77 reviews of the product on cooking.com, we found what sounded like a reasonable recipe and followed it to the tea (ha get it!). I almost started crying when I tasted the finished product. Pure heaven. I will not be able to sleep tonight because of the caffeine intake and am so full of liquid that I feel refreshed all over again every time I burp - ohhh snap, I should have warned the squeamish before that part. But it has all been worth it to know that I can save about 7 cents per ounce...well, factor in the 3 tea bags wasted during testing and that figures out to a savings of about 1/2 cent...but we won't dwell. I will be up first thing in the morning to ready my glass of tea. And if you see me on Sunday and I have a helmet on with those tubes leading to my mouth, it won't be filled with beer. It is not letting me post any photos for some reason, but T Diddy, there will be a special message up on here for you soon. Stay tuned!

Why?

2008-01-29T18:56:00.000-08:00

What is it about being a mother that makes us think it is okay to stick our fingers, the same ones that we eat with, up our child's nose to try to get a booger out? It's like, the minute the kid pops out, you lose part of your gross-out reflex. I say part of because I know I still have lot that I get grossed out about. But boogers, seem to be fine. I liken it to when you see one of those Survivorman types on some show trying to fish in a stream using only their bare hands. You start out slow and then before the child can figure out what is about to happen, you snap out and try to grab it. But kids are smarter then we think, and apparently my reflexes are not quite so cat-like as previous though, and the kid usually can turn their head at the last second. Which then usually ends with you grazing the side of their face and the look of astonishment as they look at you like, "why was my mom just trying to punch me in the face?" Even funnier is that it really used to gross me out when my husband would go on "boogie patrol" with my tweezers. Yes, my tweezers that I use to pluck stray hairs with not eat with. I had to buy him his own set of boogie tweezers, which is another post altogether, but as you can imagine, it is much like the game 'Operation.' I'm probably jinxing myself, but we have yet to deal with a real vomit incident. I imagine I will not be diving right in to that with the same abandon I have with boogers. I'll keep you posted...

Liquid Gold!

2008-01-24T16:55:00.000-08:00

It's here! And it couldn't have come at a better time. I only have $9.10 left on my last Bizzle gift card from Xmas. That is only 4 drinks. I was really worried that someone was going to have to find some sort of Iced Tea rehab to check me in to so I could kick the habit - or else I was going to have to get a second job or turn tricks to support my local Baristas. But now, I don't need them. I CAN quit you Starbucks! As many of you may know, the Bizzle Venti Black Iced Tea, Unsweetened is IT for me and T Diddy. The habit, at least for me, started after O was born. Sleep? What sleep? Sleep is for sissies. I know that tea doesn't have as much bang for your buck as coffee, but I have this weird thing where I don't like to drink calories - unless it comes in a glass with a paper umbrella and some alcohol. Sorry, where was I? I don't care that the tea comes with the Bizzle logo, but when I drink the tea, all is right with the world. Or at least in MY world (my world doesn't have impoverished children or hate - rainbows and kittens mainly). The taste is like no other, and believe me, I've sampled. And at $2.10 for 20 ounces, it is a small price to pay for pure joy - no?, my husband doesn't think so either. I only need one a day, and it lasts all day. It's not like I make several stops a day. (side note: vacations don't count. Then I can have as many as I want as evidenced in New York and Reno - but T Diddy was there and she is harsh with the peer pressure. I blame her.) I thought I got a lucky break a while back when the cafe downstairs in my office building started serving the iced tea!!! They charged a little less - but sometimes I got hooked up and only paid for the small size but got the large cup. AND there were free refills. Then one day I came in to get my tea. What the F? China Mist! Needless to say there was probably some inappropriate spitting for a food service establishment, but, gross. So, back to the Bizzle. So in an effort to figure out how they make it and why it is so good, I started asking around at the various stores. They played very coy and acted as if they weren't privy to that kind of important information. They'd throw out "Tazo" and "big tea bags", but that is about all I could get out of them. Realizing that my nice Xmas funded run with the Bizzle is about to be over, I knew I had to step my game up. I got on line and in a matter of minutes, I had my answer - and slapped myself for not utilizing this technology sooner. A former disgruntled Bizzle employee spelled out just how they make it and even where to get it!!! I'm going to be sending her a cookie basket real soon. Turns out, that while it is Tazo brand tea that they use, they have a special ICED tea bag that they brew in concentrate!!! Oh man!!!! I can almost taste it. As I start to search for retailers that carry this special bag, I find that most are SOLD OUT!!! So I buy it at the first place I see it in stock. $35 for 24 tea bags. Get up off the floor, let me finish. Each tea bag brews a gallon!!! If my calculations are correct - which they are most likely not, someone better check my math - I will be saving $0.07 cents an ounce. The Bizzle's bottom line won't know what hit them!!! In an unusual show of restraint, I didn't upgrade to overnight shipping. But it's here. It was waiting for me when I got home today. I turned on the longest tivo'd program I could find to babysit O. The instructions are clearly written...for industrial use. And T Diddy is wearing flannel in some motor home right now - which I will never discuss again, we all should just forget that was ever mentioned, cause if any of you know T Diddy, that isn't how she usually roles - and unavailable for my numerous questions. So I brewed the tea as closely as I can to what it says and I got out my cocktail shaker to make it ice cold, like the Bizzle. And then it was ready to taste. I gingerly lifted it to my lips, careful not to spill any, my hands were shaking pretty bad at this point and...it's OKAY. What? Just okay? Something has gone wrong. But I can tell I'm close. I think I may have diluted it too much. The flavor profile is there, but the punch - totally missing. But now I have close to a gallon of this liquid gold which I can't bare to pour down the drain. Luckily I still have that $9 to fall back on until I perfect it. And I will still send my teeth whitening bill to the Bizzle corporate office. I figure it is the least they can do after making what could rival O's college fund (if he goes to community college), off me on Iced Tea. Don't get me started on the baked goods. T Diddy, you better get your baking pans ready... *by the way, I haven't taken the time to figure out how to link stuff so the pic of brit brit came from: http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/blog/images/britney-starbucks.jpg

Dear Blog,

2008-01-23T19:46:00.000-08:00

I'm calling in sick. Yeah, you heard me. Not only do kids give you love unconditionally, they also give you their germs. So not only do I have O's head full of snot to contend with, I have my own. Can I take the Stuffy-head, achy all over - kick you right in the seat of your pants and make you sleep for 3 days medicine? No. Cause O is still having trouble getting through the night without my encouragement. (He's usually a really good sleeper so I can't complain too much if he needs a little more snuggling when he's sick). So I've got to be on my game. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he gets into a REM cycle before 10 pm tonight. Wish me luck.

Fork

2008-01-21T20:24:00.000-08:00

Fork. When Oliver says this word, it sounds more like the word that really went through my head as I read him his bedtime story tonight. I grabbed "The Sneetches" on our way in to the bedroom. I have found, since having Oliver, that I really enjoy Dr. Seuss books. And Oliver tolerates them. I know that if I keep reading them, that one day they will profoundly influence him in some way and he will fondly remember me as the one who forced - I mean - shared these books with him. Tonight I also learned for the first time that the cover of the book jacket is truthful when it says "and other stories". To this point, we have never actually gotten all the way through The Sneetches which comes first in the book. Oliver usually closes the book for me, signaling that either he is very tired and ready to sleep or that I have over stayed my welcome in his domain. Tonight, however, we kept reading. All the other stories were pretty good, short and sweet. But the one that threw me for a loop was called, "Too Many Dave's." I liked the title right away and found the premise of the story - that the mother had 23 boys and named them all Dave, which later proved to be a bad idea (ya think?) - hilarious. So we read on. And the mom starts listing off the names that she sometimes wished she would have given her sons instead of Dave. Color me surprised when one of the alternate names is..."Oliver Boliver Butt." While I imagine this causes uproarious laughter in some children, Oliver didn't even flinch. But it was then, that "Fork!" sounded in my head. Aside from Smalliver, which O's auntie Karri so lovingly calls him, there aren't many nicknames that can come out of Oliver. Until THIS one was served up on a platter for all his future classmates to call him. My baby!!! I can't imagine how horrible that first day will feel when he comes home from school and tells me that someone called him "Oliver Boliver Butt." How his head will hang and his sad eyes will search mine imploringly for why kids can be so cruel. So as any good mother would, I am making it my mission to save him from the future troublemakers. I started out with a google search of "Oliver Boliver Butt" and found that he has a Facebook page and several other random websites and profiles. This tells me that the story is somewhat popular and that people willingly use the moniker. Okay, that is a start. I will need to get him used to the idea of being called this, so when someone says it disparagingly, he can pull out a handy reference sheet, that I have carefully typed up for him, of all the positive press "Oliver Boliver Butt" has gotten. He will be unfazed by the feeble attempt at a put down. And for the very next talent show O will perform the song "OBB" to the tune of Naughty by Nature's "OPP" which I will have rewritten for him to showcase his humor and amazing dance skills. He will not only win the talent show, but also the hearts of his classmates. He will be the next class president and then get into a great college by writing his entrance essay on how he was able to overcome adversity and flourish. Okay, okay. I may be a little bit carried away. I realized I have a few years before I really have to get this defense squared away. So for the time being, he will remain my little "Olligater." (a new nickname by grandpa John).

Take that Super Nanny!

2008-01-18T20:47:00.000-08:00

I'm not trying to brag or anything. But I watched 3 children all by myself tonight. It was the longest 28 minutes of my life. It went surprisingly well and no one was hurt or in danger in any way. And in an advanced maneuver, I even turned on TMZ. Thank goodness I did not get Taryn's text that said there were 36 people in line in front of her (Man, Chipotle goes OFF on Friday nights) or I may have started to panic. I will watch her 2 kids for 28 minutes whenever she wants. And now I must go to bed. I'm exhausted.

Why did no one ever warn me?

2008-01-17T19:32:00.000-08:00

This is going to be a quick post. I am about to go get fetal. In college you learn not to mix your beer with your liquor. But no one ever told me not to mix my fast food. I worked late again today and was starving by the time I went to get O at daycare and just wanted to run through some place fast. Fast food. And there it is, off in the distance, the holy grail...The KFC/ Taco Bell one-two punch. The Cheesy Gordita commercials have been taunting me for the past few weeks. For the first time since I can remember, Taco Bell looked good!!! Is it on account of the fact that I am a super hippie suddenly and aiming towards a whole foods diet? Could be. So I made a hard left into the center and pulled in to the drive thru. So many choices! And then I see it. The KFC side of the menu is touting their new snack sized "bowl" (don't act like you don't know what it is or that you have never wanted to taste one. You know. It is a bowl of mashed potaters, topped with some corn, some popcorn chicken, and shredded cheese. But I'm not done yet - then the bowl is covered with gravy. Boom). Well, that is a start. And it's snack size so I can get the Cheesy Gordita Crunch as well. (A girl's got to have some variety - TDS, you know how we do...holla atcha girl). Heck, let's throw in a Mexi Melt while we're ate it for good measure (in my defense, one of my items is "snack" size so that doesn't count as an entire entree). By the time I get my food, I am so excited! I knew as soon as I got home I would have to get O's dinner ready so that we could eat together and not have my food be a soggy mess. So I stepped on it and hurried home. At last, I sit down to eat. As I work through the "snack" I notice that I am beginning to feel quite full. Could the name have misrepresented itself and led me to eat more then I should? I shake away the thought and eat through the pain. One bite of the Mexi Melt and I knew that was enough of that. This one was way more Mexi then Melt so I set it aside. And then I took my first bite ever of the Cheesy Gordita Crunch - no sour cream. Yes, I think I like it. I'll just have another bite to be sure. Yes, Cheesy Gordita Crunch, I salute you. Wow, the cheese and the crunch! So I had a few more bites. And then it happened. The first of what is sure to be many angry noises from my stomach. I set down what was left of the crunch and pushed my plate away. I don't think my stomach is handling the KFC and the Taco Bell digesting at the same time with the dignity that I think it should. My body doesn't know what to do first. It's calling out for an antacid, pepto, something. O is already in his crib so now I am free to lay perfectly still in my bed in the fetal position. And I will stay there until the pain subsides and dream about how the KFC and Taco Bell should somehow be able to coexist peacefully in my belly. Is this the end of the KFC/Taco Bell for me? I will not surrender that easily. I will manage to conquer the discomfort with proper training and conditioning. So who's with me?

A letter to the guy that invented working,

2008-01-16T19:15:00.000-08:00

F U pal. What did I ever do to you? I can only imagine what traumatic incident happened in your childhood to cause you to want to punish everyone else in the world. Look, I understand that there is a global economy to be run and all, but what about having fun? That is important too. Without fun there wouldn't be a need for the Happiest Place on Earth (Disneyland, not Nordstrom like some of you are probably thinking) and without the Happiest Place on Earth, well, I can't even imagine what that kind of a world would be like (I'm thinking more places like Dollywood and Neverland Ranch). Now I realize that in order to run said Happiest Place, people have to actually work there. But to me that is what every one's work should be like. Dancing down the streets to piped in music and the smell of freshly popped popcorn (from the early 90's not the stuff they have now - it doesn't even make your tongue burn). I don't understand why you had to force people to work and toil their lives away filling them with stress, and creating flat butts from sitting in chairs all day. Couldn't you have made it a requirement to do something that you are passionate about and have interest in? What a novel idea. Doing something you actually love. Turns out most of us don't really know what that is you heartless bastard. It's not like we haven't thought about it. If I could figure out a way to sit on my couch and watch TV all day, I would do it in a hot second. But thanks to you, instead of really focusing on what I may be able to parlay in to a career, I am forced to clock in day in and day out to collect a paycheck. I know I went to college and double majored and am not using any skills I learned there. And I know that I did an internship in one field for a few months and then started working for a construction company. And then a few months after that I worked in catering and then changed to accounting and now have moved on to real estate. So I'm a little indecisive. Hey, do you happen to know the guy who invented therapy? I think I need to talk to him too. S

it's my potty and i'll cry if i want to

2008-01-15T20:22:00.000-08:00

It happened tonight. For the first time ever. I had the diaper off of O for literally a minute. I wasn't expecting it. Okay so I was hoping it wouldn't happen. And I really thought it was going to be fine. But somehow in the minute it took me to stand him in the bathroom bare buck nekked ready for his bath and for me to go 3 feet to the diaper genie, he did it. He peed on the bathroom floor. Now luckily we are only talking pee and pee that was not all over me, but he peed all over his new bath book (Merry Xmas Auntie Taryn!) and was a mere foot from the toilet. I thought we had gotten past this stage. I thought only daddy's were the ones that were supposed to have pee accidents for not monitoring the equipment. I mean, this is my big guy. My big guy who can lounge on the couch to watch tv and rival mom for the most comfortable spot. My daredevil who bleeds and a second later, while dad and I are trying to decide if we should take him to the hospital, asks if he can color. (Now I know what you are thinking. Oh look how cute he is in his yellow pj's with little puppies on them, but in my defense, O is very high maintenance in the textile department and requires 100% cotton jammies - and while Children's Place has cotton footie jammies, they also ensure that they use the dorkiest patterns possible. And now you are probably wondering, hmmm, those are lentils on the bottom of his cup - a lunch/dinner type food - yet O is in his jammies. And you are correct. It was lunch time and I was probably in my pajamas too. Don't judge.) My big guy who would certainly snag a few votes in any of the many primaries occurring currently. You would think someone who is smart enough to count from 9 -13 all by himself, and can feed himself with a spoon from a bowl would know better then to pee on the floor. It looks like we need to step up our game with the potty training. Wish us luck. I am guessing it won't be the last time my bathroom floor gets hit...but now when you come over to visit aren't you going to wonder just where IT happened in relation to where your feet are?

29...again?

2008-01-14T21:18:00.000-08:00

Sister, The US Postal Service has done it again. Of course I bought you a birthday card well in advance of your birthday like I always do. Of course I have it filled out with heartfelt sentiments about what a great big sister you are as you always have been. And of course, the Post Office is going to refuse to deliver said card to you on your actual birthday like they do every year. I think when I am done here, wishing you the bestest of birthdays, I am going to write a strongly worded letter to them. They really do owe you an apology. They need to apologize for not giving it their all. I mean, when I take your card in tomorrow morning, with the postage on straight and the address written neatly, all ready to go, they are going to laugh. They are going to laugh in my face when I tell them that I need them to deliver it by tomorrow afternoon so as not to miss your birthday. They are going to laugh and then call the other post office clerks over to laugh some more. Laugh about how I am wearing mis-matched shoes (on purpose in an attempt to get them to take pity on me and deliver your card post haste), laugh about the puffy glitter stickers I've stuck on the envelope (I found them in your closet at mom's house by the way - I think they are Precious Moments) and laugh about how I expect them to deliver the card to you on the same day I send it. Is that the right attitude I ask you? Aren't I the customer here? Shouldn't they say "How high?" (which they will ask that tomorrow in an attempt to find the answer to why I think they will put down their Star Magazine - Jamie Lynn Spears is on the cover with the unbelievable true story of the alien child she is carrying, and get your card to you on the most special of days). So let's just say it. The Postal Service has ruined your birthday. I don't know why they do this to you year after year. In any event, try not to let them spoil your day. I hope you have the best birthday this year! Did you already open your gifts? I bet you did... Happy Birthday sister - keep on keeping on. (and a note on the cheesey 1980's picture fading. you know I'm new to this whole graphic design program. Well, I was experimenting and put the effect on all the photos...and then couldn't figure out how to get rid of it. I blame this on the Post Office as well.) *And another note. I am really enjoying being creative with the photos I post, but as you can tell, I'm having a little trouble with white borders. Bear with me. At some point I will figure it out...or maybe I won't. I'm going to go to sleep now.

Brynn Taryn Fraczek

2008-01-12T13:39:00.000-08:00

Brynn was born on December 28, 2007 (Take that IRS!) in Reno, NV. I was lucky enough to be there for the momentous occassion. To be able to be there to support my sister was awesome especially considering that I couldn't be there when her first baby, Taylor, was born (I was about 100 weeks pregnant also). Here are just some of the 500 pictures I took in the few days I spent with them. I wish they lived closer so that I could see them grow up and spoil them rotten. Oh my god y'all (to be said like the mother of the year, Ms. Britney Spears) do you even know how cute they make little girls clothes?

it's been a long time, i shouldn'tve left you....

2007-07-30T17:06:00.000-07:00

does anyone but my husband get the old school rap reference? this is sweet little katelyn. you may remember that she was 9 pounds, six ounces when she was born. yeah. and her mother speaks of having more children. she crazy. this picture was taken when we were trying to get some good shots of her and ethan for her birth announcements. notice that ethan is not in the picture. he too, was perched atop a frog, but far, far away from his offensive little sister. okay, he doesn't really dislike her but would you hang out with your little sister when there are giant frogs to be jumped on? i'll admit. i got up there too. and then i saw ants crawling around and went to get down and then thought, I haven't jumped off anything in quite some time. It probably won't end well. so I carefully scurried down before taryn noticed my terror and would make fun of me. i just noticed that my son is IN his toy box right now. actually sitting in it. This puts him closer to the toys kepts in his old cradle. i think I better regulate. Oh and by the way, this was my first try at doing a little fancy photo editing. It's a little bit Alice in Wonderland and I think I like it.

you spin me right round

2007-07-09T18:50:00.000-07:00

y we took a spin on the merry go round at the spectrum this weekend. it was so great to see cousin paris and noah. Yeah, he finally made it on to the blog. although i took so many pictures that I didn't get a chance to hold him. i hope we have another playdate soon.

blankee

2007-07-04T20:17:00.000-07:00

it is hard to not grab the camera when your son wakes up smiley and laughing after every nap. he loves the blanket that meme made for him almost as much as mommy and daddy love theirs. meme's blankets are the best!

swim with the fishes

2007-07-01T21:35:00.000-07:00

grandma marilyn hates to be in pictures. i thought she wouldn't mind if just her feet showed. seeing as how we have 5300 pictures on our mac, it has taken me a better part of the evening to upload them and post. i'm done. i'm now going to dig in to the apple pie that my mamma sent me home with.

tv cute

2007-07-01T21:32:00.000-07:00

my boss, lea, says oliver is "tv cute". I can't help but agree with her. I know I am partial (aren't most parents?) but come on. he's freaking adorable.

ooops...i did it again

2007-07-01T21:30:00.000-07:00

I'd like to say that I did this on purpose. it was a fortunate mistake as I was going through the 300 pictures I took today. as you may have noticed, I like taking pictures of shadows. i thought this one was pretty awesome. my exposure was totally wrong, but so right at the same time.

i don't know what any of it means

2007-07-01T21:26:00.000-07:00

another shout out to my dads 3 window '32 duece coup with suicide doors. dad, am I forgetting anything?

peachy keen

2007-07-01T21:17:00.000-07:00

my daddy loves his hot rod. yet, he loves his grandson more. he let him climb all around in it today. Oliver wanted to touch every button, and every dial. but grandpa just smiled (mostly). I can't wait until Oliver is old enough to drive it. :)

i see london, i see france...

2007-06-30T20:57:00.000-07:00

It is amazing how far technology has come. This morning, Oliver and I got to video chat with daddy who just happens to be in France. It is a cheap alternative to overseas phone calls and daddy gets to see his little buddy. We had tried it once before when Brian was in New York, but Oliver was too young to know what was going on. This time though, he waved and laughed and knew it was dada he was talking too. We miss daddy very much and wish him a speedy and safe return. We will have another video chat tomorrow morning. We will be sure to let him know how Mr. Fish and his cousin from Mexico Senor Fish are doing.

how long do we have to stay here?

2007-06-29T19:09:00.000-07:00

Oliver and Ethan are so funny together. One minute Oliver is trying to take something from Ethan and Ethan is angry. The next minute, Ethan is trying to help Oliver up on to a swing (not sure if that is a nice thing or evil...). Please note the look he is giving Oliver in one of the pictures. I can't wait until they get older and really get to be friends.

Put the camera down and FINGER SWEEP!

2007-06-27T18:17:00.000-07:00

Oliver and I had a playdate at the park yesterday. Apparently there was a party in Oliver's mouth and the whole park was invited. Just as I would set up the best shot, I'd have to run over and finger sweep some bark out of his mouth, much to his dismay. I think he had a good time anyway. He got to play, or not play, with sweet little kaitlyn. Oliver's main goal was to steal her sippy cup, much to HER dismay. It was a pretty short trip to the park. The mama's were too hot, and I'm not talkin' bout temperature...Badabing...

Two little tea cups...short and Stout

2007-06-21T18:52:00.001-07:00

These are two of my favorite little kids!

if you can't stand the heat

2007-06-19T21:26:00.000-07:00

who knew food could be so fun. i guess you are supposed to cook it in a timely manner. it is interesting to me that when you bring home flowers and don't take care of them, they die. but when you bring home food and don't take care of it, it grows flowers. this was an attempt to branch out and try cooking some new veggies for oliver. turns out mom got hit with the lazy stick.

super cute

2007-06-19T21:23:00.001-07:00

so...these two weren't done on the manual setting. I just love these kids.

manual labor

2007-06-19T21:19:00.001-07:00

The last few days I have shot only in manual mode. It has been about 8 years since I last shot that way so I'm a bit rusty. Here I was playing with shutter speed although it is a pretty accurate display of his speed. He pretty much only runs now.

When toys attack...

2007-06-19T21:18:00.001-07:00

See my Tabblo>

I know the photos aren't technically good ones, but it was all shot manually and I thought it was so funny.

Work it

2007-06-15T20:16:00.000-07:00

Some photos that I took at the park before Christmas. There was duck poop everywhere. This was also one of the first days I realized he could sit up by himself. I sat him up and hurried to take the picture and he didn't immediately plop over...he finally did but I promise...no babies were harmed in the making of these photots.

O M G

2007-06-15T17:01:00.000-07:00

It helps that he is such a cute kid. It is not hard to get a good photo of him.

Taylor's First Birthday Party

2007-06-15T16:52:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from Taylor's princess party. She is so adorable as are her friends!

Easter, 2007

2007-06-15T16:40:00.000-07:00

We spent Easter in Reno this year, as it was also my niece, Taylor's first birthday!

2007-06-14T20:48:00.000-07:00

My favorite picture of Ethan ever, mid meltdown. And my niece Tony Danza at Oliver's party.

2007-06-14T20:39:00.000-07:00

Some photos from Oliver's first birthday party.

2007-06-14T20:33:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, sweet Katelyn. My friend Taryn asked me to take some pictures of her whilst pregnant with her second child. Little did we know that the sweet, stirring child inside her would end up being 9 pounds 6 ounces at birth. Bitch, please.

My first post

2007-06-14T20:32:00.000-07:00

Here it is...the start of my blog. Here's hoping I have a lot to say.