Four-eyes and metal mouth

You know how in elementary school you really, really wanted to have glasses? And if that wasn't enough you also really, really, really wanted to have braces? (Unless you actually had braces or glasses, in which case your feelings were probably reversed).

I was no exception. I cannot count the number of paperclips that were deftly shaped to fit my teeth, or the number of times that I borrowed my friend Kristen's bright pink glasses, just so I could wear them for the day (because that was awesome for my eyes).

When the yearly eye screener person would come to the classroom I would try my very hardest to get glasses. (Surprisingly, when the hearing checks were performed, I actually tried. Apparently hearing aids do not fall into the same category as glasses and braces).

But back to the screening. Because I was seven and had perfect vision at the time, I didn't understand what people would see if they couldn't see. So, instead of saying letters that looked close to those that were on the line, I would just say random letters. For example, if the line had C E D F O, I would say X P H M A. (How did those screeners ever see through my cleverness?)

Needless to say, it was not until 9th grade when I could not read the board from the back of the room that I had to get glasses.

And I've never had braces.

I know, you are totally pitying me.

Why the random story from the past? Because I was reminded of it this week and because it is my blog.

I hate it when the world hates me

Okay, so hate may be a little strong for my message but "I dislike it when the world dislikes me" just doesn't have the same ring to it.

Yesterday was just one of those days.

First we had to buy a new microwave. I believe all electronics should last forever. That would make the world a happier place. A place filled with wildflowers, ponies, bird songs and rainbows.

The microwave did not stop working per se, it just started to melt itself, creating a cancerous looking black spot on the inside that smelled really bad and smoked.

So we bought a new one. (With a timer on it and quick set numbers. See? Little things CAN bring me joy).

Then, a certain driver in our household (who is not me) slid on the slick roads, running into the curb and getting a flat tire. (In this certain driver's defense, this certain driver did take care of said tire all on their own so that a certain one year old could continue to nap).

And then....

Actually, that is it. For some reason the day seemed like more things went wrong. Oh, well--this is my blog and I can vent as much as I want.

On the positive side, we got free tickets to the Cowboy game from my boss and they won so the world is not completely hopeless.

I was victorious

Our apartment is set up as such that when the heater kicks on it takes all of the cold water available (please forgive me--I can't explain it much better that that. I don't really get it).

Ronnie and I have become very good at remembering to turn off the heater before entering the shower.

But today, I forgot.

About 3 minutes into my shower routine I remembered. And then I decided that the chances of the heater kicking on in the next 3 minutes were slim, so I did not get out to remedy the situation.

One minute after that, I felt it. Scalding hot water. This same thing has happened to Ronnie several times and he always gets out of the shower mighty quickly (or yells for me to turn off the heater, whichever is more convenient).

I decided that the apartment was not going to get the best of me. I was going to beat the heater.

So, I waited for my body to acclimate to the new water temperature and finished my leisurely shower.

I totally won.

(Unless you count the fact that my legs were BRIGHT red and had signs of first degree burns when I got out).

Lesson Learned

So remember how I love This American Life?

Well, I'm still dutifully working my way through the archives. (I'm in the year 2008--hooray!)

And now I have learned that I should never, EVER listen to an act dedicated to bed bugs.

My skin is CRAWLING.

All I want to do is take a shower.

And then rid the world of the nasty little things.

I'm looking so studious

Pretty much, this post is just to show off my new glasses.

Now I have no excuse not to be wearing either my contacts or my glasses (ugly glasses used to be my fall-back).

P.S. My mom looks WAY cuter than I do in these new glasses. If I can trick her into a picture, we may be doing some comparing.

13 months

Easton is 13 months! He is walking like a pro--which leads to falling like a pro. He jabbers all of the time (virtually never stops), but we can't understand a lick of it. He can say bamba, buh-bye, bock bock (the sound a chicken makes), ha-ha (panting like a dog), mama, dada and ba (ball).

He loves to make noise--be it banging two toys together or making his voice as loud as it can go. Echos are very fun for him!

Last night I decided to see how long a few pots and spoons would entertain him. He loved it--just watch the video and you can see for yourself.

Easton also is starting to get fixated on a few things. He has a few toys with different shapes that go in them and the star is his favorite shape with all of them. He will carry them around all day (therefore not allowing his hands to catch him when he falls). If the stars are missing (as they often are), the plus sign shapes are his second favorite.

He also now has a blankie that he will not sleep without. I'm doing what I can to find a back-up!

Easton still only has his bottom two teeth and as cute as that is, we are just hoping that there are some more in there!

He is eating all table food now and is officially weaned. I wish I could say that he is sleeping through the night, but that is not quite happening (so close though).

He is such a happy baby and is getting to be so much more interactive. We love having him as part of our family!

You may think me crude

but let's be honest, I don't really care.

I mean I do, I really care about you, just not what you think of me.

Kind of.

Oh, who am I kidding.

I crave your approval.

Which is why I should not post the photo of the sign that Ronnie saw in the bathroom of a restaurant in Arcadia, CA. He came out, told me what it said and I sent him promptly back in to take a picture. (Much to his dismay).

Ready for Another?

I'll be updating you on Easton at 13 months in the next few days, but for now, enjoy this video of his animal noises.

And the whole time I know I am being ridiculous

I enjoy my sleep.


Even more now than ever before in my life (motherhood will do that to you).


So, when Ronnie got home from his early-morning church meetings, I handed the Easton care taking over to him and promptly went back to bed (the one blessing of 12p.m. church).


And then I dreamed. (Imagine that!)


It was a crazy, unrealistic one. This is where you are probably wishing that I won't bore you with the details, but tough, this is my blog and I can do what I want to.


My family was having a reunion. On BYU campus (this would NEVER happen in real life since many people I'm related to are not such big fans of the BYU). Anyway. So also on campus were hundreds of missionaries (though this is in no way related to anything else, they were there, so I am telling you). I was outside and ducked under a leafless tree and my hair got caught, really caught. Ronnie came over and started to get me untangled when he said that he was going to need a knife or scissors and went inside to find something. I waited.


And then waited some more.


Finally, I decided that I would take matters into my own hands and instead of being stuck under the stupid tree I would break off the branch and walk inside myself. (What a novel idea!)


When inside, I found Ronnie playing a board game with family members. He looked up and me and didn't say a word. This is when I started getting mad. Really mad. Really, really mad. And then I started crying.


Then I woke up.


And I was still mad. I knew it was just a dream and that Ronnie would never do anything like that in real life, but I was fuming. I laid in bed for a few minutes trying to calm down. After a while I thought that I could at least act normal and went out to the front room, didn't say anything and went about getting myself breakfast.


Ronnie noticed my stony silence and tried to get me to talk to him. I remained quiet. While I knew I was being ridiculous, I couldn't get over the feeling.


Luckily, it was Ronnie's turn to take his morning nap and in the next hour or so I found plenty of time to simmer down. (For goodness sake, it wasn't like I had dreamt that he yelled at me, or cheated on me, or anything truly upsetting).


So now I'm over it.


Have any of you ever done this? Let dreams dictate feelings?

Hollywood

While we were in Cali, we traveled to Hollywood.

See, I can prove it!

And in case you can't tell what that white line on the mountain says, here's a close up.

We also stopped by Grauman's Chinese Theater and took the obligatory photo. And yes, Easton was still with us, but it was freezing cold (well for southern Cali) and he was hanging out in the gift shop with Grandma.

We ate good food and Easton tried a lemon.

While at the mall in Hollywood, it was found that Easton LOVES escalators. Really, really loves them. Ronnie and I rode up and down and up and down and up and down and up and down and...well you get the idea.

But when you get this smile, you can't resist.

It was a fun day--even if an old lady attacked me at Grauman's while trying to get to my baby. It was terrifying.

When you are feeling blah about your blog

you just don't post as much.

Not that we didn't have fantastic holidays or anything, I just don't have a lot to say.

(A shocker for most of you, I know)

I'm counting on my groove coming back as our schedule gets back into a routine (Ronnie starts the new semester tomorrow).

Look for me more regularly then.

(I hope).

More Videos

I hesitated post yet more videos, but then I figured that if you are checking this blog, that is what you really want, so here we go.

Now you can all hear the horsey song that gets stuck in my head. Good luck!

And here Easton's chasing skills are showcased.

Videos for the Grandparents

I fully realize that no one short of relatives wants to watch my kid eat cake for 3 minutes, but when grandparents demand, you provide.

End of story.

Easton Eating Cake

Easton's Party, Guests, etc.
A quick note about this: obviously, I was not thrilled with what Ronnie was videoing--but now that I realize that I didn't get a single picture of the cloth garland I spent hours on (yes, Easton is a first child) this one is precious to me. (It's all about me people, me!)

Because it is my first day back at work

And because I have already discussed how I can't survive a single hour (let alone a whole day) without one of these calendars attached to the top of my monitor, I'm including the link for the 2009 version.

Calendar

Seriously, if you spend time at a computer you need one. Just trust me.

Birthday Party in Cali

We had another fantastic birthday celebration for Easton while we were in Cali. He's going to start expecting dinners of frosting pretty soon.

Grandma Cali made this cake especially for him.
And Easton clapped while we all tried to get him to blow out the candle.

So mom provided a little assistance.

And then he stuffed his face.

Next it was on to the presents. He liked playing with the ones that were unwrapped by someone else.

But really just preferred the bows.

Thanks everyone--he and we had a great time!