Friday, January 6, 2012

Six months of Chickie!


We aren't sick of her yet-- are you? She's been six months old for over a week, so here are the pictures:




I promise she doesn't have a lazy eye... it's the angle


She's been perfecting the raspberry

More spitting


Crazy Chickie.


Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Another observation from John

John: When a little girl plays with a monster truck everyone is like, "Oooohhhh, maybe she'll grow up to drive a monster truck!" but when a boy plays with a Barbie everyone is like, "Put that way and go play with your monster truck!"

Me: Do you want to play with Kitty's Barbies?

John: Not unless I can torture them.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Chomp, chomp Chickie (literally)

It's been five months and Chickie's cheeks are finally bite-able.  It's true, I bite baby cheeks, I prefer to call it love bites. As Bogda would say, "Emily is to eat." 

The picture quality sucks because I couldn't find the camera and had to use the iPad...



She likes to bite cheeks too.


Tuesday, November 29, 2011

A love letter from John

After a pretty animated tantrum and mounting consequences, John found himself grounded from all electronics (including the TV), without dinner, and confined to his room.  He handed me this letter as I passed his door on the way down the hall:

Dear stupid Mommy and Daddy,

You are the most idiotic and stupidest people I know. You don't love me. You don't like me. You guys are the worst. I wish I could run away. I'm starving. I wish I had a phone, I would call the cops. Chickie is the only one who loves me. You think torturing me is fun. I hate you guys, I don't love you and I don't like you.

From your thoroughly tortured son: John

P.S. You think I'm worth $0.00

Later, when he had "thoroughly" calmed down, he said to me, "I wish I could go back in time and not give you that letter."

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Trying to be the fun mom always backfires

Sometimes I try to redeem my status as a mother.  These are the days when I let Kitty help me make cookies, I consent to play a game of Sorry! or UNO, I say yes to dessert, I let John make a "potion", or I remember Chickie and take her out of the car.  These things are hard for me, I don't know why, but they are.

My latest attempt has been in the form of a new holiday tradition that I guess everyone else already knew about-- Elf on a Shelf. I forked over the massive amount of cash for the "kit" which consists of a cute-ish vintage looking elf and a story book.  For the money I thought the elf would at least have bendable limbs, but alas, it is more authentically vintage than you would think.  Anyway, the elf watches all day and reports back to Santa each night. He/she can't move when anyone is watching and the touch of a human will destroy its magical powers.  Fun, right?

Kitty was first to notice it, we got excited, read the book and decided on the name Winkie.  But after about five minutes Kitty got all skittish and started jumping at the slightest noise. Then there were tears, screaming, and the shakes. Then came the demands that I accompany her everywhere.  She was thoroughly freaked out by the thought that Winkie was alive and watching her every move. Fun mom fail.

Luckily by morning she was used to the idea and now I am stuck with the job of moving Winkie every once in a while to keep it fresh-- it's more work than you'd think, and Winkie is kind of starting to freak me out with her crazy eyes.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Another entry for mother of the year

Last night I attended a baby shower for a friend of mine. I got there a little late and upon entering I said some hellos and helped myself to the good food. I went and sat down thinking that no one had mentioned that I didn't have chickie. But then my friend Niki said, "so you got away without the baby", and I started to tell her that yes, I got away but was certain Jared would be calling any minute to tell me she was awake and crying when it occurred to me that at the last minute my original plan to leave her at home changed and that I had brought her with me! Poor chickie was waiting patiently in the car. I can't believe I totally forgot her out there! Everyone consoled me telling stories about the times they forgot their babies. I felt like one of those moms that you see on the news who leaves their baby in the car while they spend three hours in the bar. Except it wasn't the bar and it was only about five minutes.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

I totally copied Natalie.

So I just read Natalie's latest post and it contained all of her facebook status updates.  I liked it.  I copied her and went and retrieved mine, you know, for posterity. I noticed a few recurring themes: Irritation, procrastination, and the weather interspersed with the occasional NPR/Spongebob reference.  Yep. Pretty much sums me up.


Just waiting for my stinky boot to come out of the wash-- then I can go run my errands. (Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:51:20 GMT)


Knowing my legs will be peeling next week... guh. (Sat, 20 Jun 2009 05:03:19 GMT)

Alyssa One of my "suggested" friends was Chris Vanderveen from 9 news... I think that's funny, how did facebook know we met once? (Mon, 22 Jun 2009 04:37:54 GMT)

Alyssa Giving up on my virtual farm. I don't need the stress. (Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:16:04 GMT)

Alyssa Is looking forward to 110 in Phoenix this weekend? Not as much as I was in March! (Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:59:22 GMT)

Alyssa just watched Flo and Kay on TLC-- cracked me up. (Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:25:53 GMT)

Alyssa Loves the lake! (Mon, 27 Jul 2009 04:31:02 GMT)

Alyssa Will tackle the house tomorrow. (Wed, 05 Aug 2009 04:06:42 GMT)

Alyssa forgot about the laundry- again. (Sat, 08 Aug 2009 04:56:35 GMT)

Alyssa procrastinating work... so please people, give me notifications, photos, new blog entries! (Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:14:15 GMT)

Nutella and bananas... so good. (Sat, 22 Aug 2009 03:31:36 GMT)
Alyssa more Nutella and bananas, this is getting bad. (Mon, 24 Aug 2009 02:53:50 GMT)

Waaaaay too much Dr. Pepper today... I HAVE to quit tomorrow! (Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:25:04 GMT)

Guess what? It's called Medicaid! Oh yeah, and all the name calling and belittling on both sides is RETARDED. Yep, I said that. (Fri, 04 Sep 2009 02:19:25 GMT)

Oh yeah, and you can ask Jared how many people die because they have no insurance-- he treats them all for free in the ER. There, I'm done now. (Fri, 04 Sep 2009 02:24:56 GMT)

Healthcare reform gives me a headache... (Sat, 05 Sep 2009 02:44:04 GMT)

Figuring out wireless internet, yeah, I know, welcome to the 21st Century already! (Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:31:18 GMT)
Thanks for the comments... so many good memories (and some not quite so good). (Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:49:18 GMT)

Should I turn on the furnace? The thermostat says 59, brrrrrr. (Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:08:51 GMT)

Thinks Greg Dobbs is arrogant. (Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:29:57 GMT)

Munsell color chart... do I give in and get one? (Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:26:53 GMT)

Has anyone read "The Time Traveler's Wife"? Because it irritated the crap out of me. (Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:37:49 GMT)

Loves a tension headache... or is it a caffiene headache? (Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:51:40 GMT)
Alyssa Is cold. (Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:13:01 GMT)

Fitting into an old pair of Jared's pants, depressing on so many levels. (Fri, 16 Oct 2009 23:20:44 GMT)

Did Rick Springfield have a facelift, or is it just Botox? (Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:59:06 GMT)

Lenny Kravitz on NPR. Now I feel old. Hey, Lenny, do you remember when you had the whole audience snapping after your string broke on your guitar? (Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:02:13 GMT)

Putting it all off AGAIN... love Mondays! (Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:24:08 GMT)

If I can drive myself to the store, the sledding hill, and Highlands Ranch to the Dr., don't you think I should be able to drive my kids to school? Three snow days- Bah. (Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:50:54 GMT)

Trying really hard not to get annoyed. Maybe I shouldn't try and just go with it. (Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:37:15 GMT)

John said tonight at bedtime, "it's like you spend all these days getting decorations out and getting ready for one day that is over so fast. Halloween is like that." Wait until Christmas big guy! (Sun, 01 Nov 2009 03:13:32 GMT)

Meri is totally busted! (Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:57:54 GMT)

Loves our eight mature trees, except in the fall when they lose 15 bags worth of leaves. (Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:26:32 GMT)

Does adding a banana to a peanutbutter and chocolate milkshake change it into a smoothie? Kitty thinks so. (Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:42:14 GMT)

Tired for no reason. (Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:17:08 GMT)

Loves having a war hero at home, most days. (Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:41:47 GMT)

Remembering my youth when exclusion didn't feel good... Glad I've grown up a little! (Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:10:38 GMT)
Alyssa is working on it. (Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:37:22 GMT)

Andes mints: just too easy. (Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:08:49 GMT)

I just want to thank my family and friends for abandoning us for Thanksgiving. Thanks for nothing. (Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:01:50 GMT)

Stuffed from our early Thanksgiving dinner! Now to get through the long weekend... (Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:09:51 GMT)

Out of the blue my 6 year old: "you know Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me? You should go on that show. But you would probably be shy and embarressed" Never too early to introduce the kids to NPR! (Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:54:06 GMT)

"Do you know who is the best at everything? Tony Hawk." Katherine just informed me. (Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:44:38 GMT)

Alyssa is on the verge... (Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:28:13 GMT)

Alyssa loves me some Chubby Hubby... (Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:49:14 GMT)

Looking for a Barbie Dream Townhouse... who knew? (Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:53:15 GMT)

Alyssa hates cheap wrapping paper that costs the same as the good stuff! Grrrr.... (Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:36:36 GMT)

Remember when I used to stay up all night to ring in the new year? (Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:18:42 GMT)

Alyssa forgot how much I love Putty. (Thu, 07 Jan 2010 06:08:48 GMT)

What's for dinner? (Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:54:01 GMT)

Why did I have to become "friends" with the Great Basin Anthro Conference? The last interaction I remember irritated the crap out of me. (Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:12:04 GMT)

Am I the only one totally annoyed with 'Hope for Haiti Now'? (Sat, 23 Jan 2010 03:49:47 GMT)

Alyssa thinks it's funny that Jared likes to listen to The Smith's while he plays Modern Warfare. (Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:01:11 GMT)

Happy birthday to the coolest war hero I know! (Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:35:58 GMT)

Shed a few tears watching the AKC awards for service dogs. (Sun, 07 Feb 2010 03:37:21 GMT)

Why do I always get so cold when I'm working? (Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:40:08 GMT)

Are phone books obsolete? (Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:37:21 GMT)

Maybe I'll finally shower today... (Sun, 21 Feb 2010 20:21:14 GMT)

Loves LOST pop-up video style! (Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:36:22 GMT)

60 degrees and sunny never felt sooooooo good! (Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:11:03 GMT)

You know it's bad when the manager at the local 7-11 notices you "haven't been in for a few days". Little does he know I have to split my time with the little Mexican Sonic lady. (Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:11:22 GMT)

Alyssa doesn't trust the weather... (Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:08:00 GMT)

Is this week over yet??? (Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:18:39 GMT)

Had a brief taste of homeschooling today and it made me gag. (Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:49:46 GMT)

Listening to Steely Dan makes me want to repeatedly stab myself. Sorry Jared and Dad. (Sun, 14 Mar 2010 05:26:36 GMT)

Worked in the yard today! (Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:22:59 GMT)

Thought I would mess the house up and blame it on a pesky Leprechaun... too bad my kids wouldn't even notice. Maybe if I actually cleaned it and blamed it on the Leprechaun instead... (Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:36:02 GMT)

Hey Castle Rock friends! Korie is in town and we want to invite you all to Costa Vida at noon tomorrow! (Thursday) (Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:26:15 GMT)

Alyssa hoping the snow doesn't ruin plans for this evening... like it ALWAYS does. (Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:42:49 GMT)

Twinkle twinkle Patrick Star... (Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:57:01 GMT)

This is the second time in a week that I've sat next to someone at the airport who unabashedly farts more than once. (Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:36:19 GMT)

Martha Stewart is such a snob. Listening to her makes me cringe! (Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:24:10 GMT)

Why do Sunday's leave me with a headache? (Sun, 11 Apr 2010 19:24:58 GMT)

Sometimes all it takes is a little yard work therapy. (Mon, 19 Apr 2010 23:21:33 GMT)

Todays goal: get through all of Ab's with Shannon... ugh. (Wed, 21 Apr 2010 13:18:34 GMT)

Alyssa has a gassy dog. (Fri, 23 Apr 2010 02:59:51 GMT)

Who wants to go to the park today? Oh wait. It's snowing. (Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:23:20 GMT)

If anyone sees Dave Chappel tell him I miss him. (Sat, 24 Apr 2010 02:56:29 GMT)

John and I shared his first NPR "Driveway Moment" this evening. (Mon, 26 Apr 2010 03:42:49 GMT)

What should I catch up on today? Work or housework? (Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:52:29 GMT)

John watching Melissa Ethridge: "That does NOT sound like a girl..... She has a bad voice for singing..... why is she STILL singing.... someone should tell her to stop singing..." (Wed, 28 Apr 2010 01:14:25 GMT)

Alyssa on the verge of getting political. (Thu, 29 Apr 2010 01:42:39 GMT)

Just got in TROUBLE for having 30 items in the 20 item or less self checkout line at WalMart! GRRRR. (Mon, 03 May 2010 21:10:07 GMT)

Jared says that when a woman compliments another woman that she really is saying, "You look like a clown". We could argue about this all night. For anyone that cares, I am a sincere complimentor. (Thu, 06 May 2010 03:19:11 GMT)

The best time to wear a striped sweater is all the time.... (Wed, 12 May 2010 01:06:14 GMT)

If you are already in a horrible mood DO NOT clean the bathroom! (Wed, 12 May 2010 20:01:05 GMT)

Just watched Britney, I mean Miley, on Dancing with the Stars (waiting for Lost...) UGH. (Wed, 19 May 2010 04:03:34 GMT)

Finally got Kitty Kidz Bop 17. Now I hear it blasting from her room... (Thu, 20 May 2010 17:11:32 GMT)

Measure twice, cut once and ruin it anyway. (Sun, 23 May 2010 23:05:29 GMT)

Did I just watch Hanson on the Tonight Show and like it? Yes. Yes I did. Mmmmbop got some haircuts. (Thu, 27 May 2010 05:40:06 GMT)
I need a good book to read with no infidelity or cheesy love... I know that's a tall order. Help. (Sat, 05 Jun 2010 20:38:39 GMT)

A headache and a report the needs finishing... must focus. (Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:45:43 GMT)

Just walked into the screen door... (Sun, 20 Jun 2010 02:53:10 GMT)

Pulled a muscle putting on my seatbelt... getting old. (Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:58:23 GMT)

Might have to sneak some Mario time when John goes to bed... just rekindled the late night high school obsession. (Sat, 26 Jun 2010 21:55:23 GMT)

Don't hate me because I don't love Twilight. (Thu, 01 Jul 2010 01:08:16 GMT)

1. I need to order a "Booty Bop" and 2. Justin Beieber's mom is younger than I am. (Thu, 08 Jul 2010 04:33:25 GMT)

How was I able to pull off a 20 page research paper in one night as a college student and now I can't even revise a 10 page chapter for work in one weekend? UGH. (Mon, 12 Jul 2010 02:27:02 GMT)

My new favorite game: finish that Beastie Boys lyric. "I've got more stories than ______" (Wed, 14 Jul 2010 23:20:19 GMT)

Got me some of those new fangled Sketchers... They make me walk a little taller (ie platform shoes) and a little bouncier. I'm a little embarressed but my bad ankle/foot is thanking me. Not to mention my rear end they promise to firm... (Fri, 16 Jul 2010 03:42:37 GMT)

It's always funny when Jared calls to tell me to turn on the news when they are reporting from the hospital so I can watch him walking around on the phone in the background. (Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:11:26 GMT)

Alyssa was about to write a snide remark, but thought again. Phew. (Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:48:19 GMT)

Just dropping in on the internet for a minute from Priest Lake, then back to being disconnected... love it! (Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:05:29 GMT)

Who needs a ticket to the county fair when all you have to do is open your windows and listen to a live version of "Life is a Highway"? (Sun, 08 Aug 2010 05:10:10 GMT)

Swearing off Facebook for the rest of the day... time to clean the house! (Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:25:12 GMT)

Time to start trying again. (Sat, 14 Aug 2010 04:23:28 GMT)

Kitty has been in the shower for 20 minutes now... I don't even want to open the door to the flood I'm sure she's created. (Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:26:00 GMT)

Does the cry it out technique work on 7 year olds? (Thu, 26 Aug 2010 05:00:20 GMT)

John just told me I was gullible. It wasn't until at least 6th grade before I knew the meaning of that word. (Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:47:37 GMT)

Kitty is eating cantelope with ketchup, gag! (Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:01:38 GMT)

Just saw a guy in dress clothes walking barefoot... again. (Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:35:29 GMT)

Jared informed me that the original Back to the Future took place in 1985 and they went back to 1955. In 2015 a remake of the film could go back to 1985. I'm totally feeling old. (Mon, 13 Sep 2010 17:27:14 GMT)

LOVE Modern Family! (Thu, 23 Sep 2010 03:11:40 GMT)

Loving the Phineas and Ferb soundtrack as much as my kids. (Thu, 07 Oct 2010 16:37:12 GMT)

Ducky MoMo: I hate people. (Wed, 13 Oct 2010 21:49:10 GMT)

Kitty says: Omlet Joy (almond joy) (Thu, 14 Oct 2010 15:42:09 GMT)

Can't get enough political ads... (Tue, 19 Oct 2010 22:42:47 GMT)

Watching The View is going to give me a heart attack. (Wed, 27 Oct 2010 16:18:48 GMT)

I might be bugged... can't decide. I'll just let it go... or not. (Wed, 10 Nov 2010 04:29:43 GMT)

Always love my war hero-- but today I'm allowed to say it on Facebook! (Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:21:37 GMT)

Not feeling well= waaaaayyy too much time on FB. (Sat, 13 Nov 2010 04:22:35 GMT)

Modern Family made me laugh to tears... the dance was awesome! (Thu, 18 Nov 2010 03:31:01 GMT)

Good old fashioned case of pneumonia. Now I know why people used to die from this... ugh. (Tue, 23 Nov 2010 03:46:17 GMT)

I just wasted some time and saw that several of my friends are mutual friends with people I also know who I would never think they would know. (Thu, 02 Dec 2010 01:24:53 GMT)

Feeling the bruise on my chin from an unfortunate collision with the throw-up bowl. (Mon, 06 Dec 2010 21:43:48 GMT)

Puked all over myself in the car today. Sweeeeet. (Wed, 22 Dec 2010 03:45:58 GMT)

Major craving for pastrami from The Hat... (Tue, 28 Dec 2010 18:53:54 GMT)

Asked Kitty how she liked church today: "It was a rip-off." (Sun, 23 Jan 2011 22:15:39 GMT)

Love breaking the ice scraper on the ice of my windshield... awesome. (Mon, 31 Jan 2011 23:52:26 GMT)
John's dinner tonight: Easy Cheese and Saltines. Don't call CPS, it won't happen again. (Fri, 11 Feb 2011 04:04:37 GMT)

Because I know you've all been on the edge of your seats... it's a yankee doodle GIRL! (Tue, 15 Feb 2011 21:04:43 GMT)

Me to Melo: It's about time-- good riddens! (How do you like that Meri?) (Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:09:24 GMT)

Some people think they're being funny but really they're creeping everyone out. (Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:57:54 GMT)

Please, if your opinion doesn't match mine, don't post it on facebook. (Mon, 07 Mar 2011 23:15:47 GMT)

Finally took my emloyer's "timekeeping" quiz so I can get paid this week... failed twice... guess I'd better go through the tutorial. (Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:03:08 GMT)

Alyssa I think my unborn baby is asking for a peanut allergy... eating a whole jar of dry roasted peanuts thinking about allergies with every handful. (Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:34:06 GMT)

Am I the only one who gets super irritated at Bertha Lynn (channel 7 news)? (Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:15:32 GMT)

It's the first time I've really been able to pick out my own baby gear and now I'm at a loss, I don't want any unnecessary gadgets. So what is the best baby item you wouldn't want to live without? (Sat, 09 Apr 2011 01:34:32 GMT)

If I am ever a contestant on Jeopardy! I would make certain that my talking point story isn't lame like everyone elses. (Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:08:30 GMT)

Best news I've heard in a decade-- Bin Laden dead (Mon, 02 May 2011 02:59:00 GMT)

John just asked a question and when Kitty answered and he said, "Kitty, that was a retardical question, I didn't want an answer." (Sat, 07 May 2011 15:18:51 GMT)

Just saw an ad for the Big Head Todd concert with special guest Guster and thought I was back in 1997. (Mon, 16 May 2011 02:19:03 GMT)

Thanks for all the birthday wishes! Last year I didn't have my birthday advertised on FB and I thought no one liked me... Thanks for making this year better! (Mon, 16 May 2011 23:15:01 GMT)
The eternal pregnancy is over! Emily Alice was born yesterday, 7 lbs, 20 inches. (Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:28:19 GMT)

Finally uploaded some pictures... sorry it took so long. I didn't even miss being off the grid for a few days! (Tue, 05 Jul 2011 03:41:26 GMT)

Watching "Dance Moms" today made me want to beat up my TV. (Thu, 21 Jul 2011 01:05:02 GMT)

Just realized the reason my clothes don't "feel right" is because I've been walking around with my shirt on backwards all morning. (Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:21:50 GMT)
Am I the only one who thinks K.D. Lang and PeeWee Herman are the same person? (Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:54:17 GMT)