As Good as it Gets

I keep telling myself...

2010-11-03T10:39:00.000-07:00

that today I'm going to update the blog. But, I can't ever seem to make it happen. Between school, an overwhelmingly fun and silly 2 1/2 year old, and my mouth (which is falling apart), it's hard to find time.

There is a lot to share. Unfortunately, today won't be the day that happens. However, I am just going to post the things that I think you should see. Some videos and some photos that highlight some of the best of the past 3 months. Okay a lot of photos, and in no particular order. Enjoy!

She's just too cute. I had to share this from this morning...

So maybe it's TMI, and maybe one day she'll hate me for it, but I'm just so proud of her...

Family photos by Erika.

My sister is quite the talented photographer. Here is the Capitol Building in DC. Ryan with Lego Woody on our trip to Disneyworld. Maizey and her cousin Cash, on our last summer trip to the cabin.Snotty, and in more ways than one...
We had a lot of fun on our sissy trip, even if there was some drama and moments where I felt like this. I love her.
Richie's Wedding in DC. Man alive, I love this boy. SO happy for him.Maizey representin'
My lovely cousin on a night out on the town--DC style.

Getting her toenails painted. I'm in love with Ben Feldmand, my cousin's VERY famous friend. Too bad I'm married and he's gay, or we'd be a match made in heaven, I just know it. Bringing West Coast Classy to our nation's capitol. My boys. Cousin Rich and Jon.
Ryan stylin' in a Chevy Malibu. We upgraded to get this fancy car. ;-)

I love this man. Maizey on a hike, she yelled "I did it" when she got to the top of this hill.

Her 3rd Salmon Days.

Ryan at his dream school.

She's really got the smiling-for-the-camera thing down. Very natural.

Maizey and Harper on a walk. So cute together.

The Gebows, looking east coast awesome.

My lovely auntie Soo, or as Maizey calls her "Harper's grammy."

Children of the corn hugs.

Trouble.

Hay ride.

Getting her face painted at the opening of the new South Lake Union Park. Hosted by my amazing friends at the Adventure School.

This dude and I became fast friends in the bar of my hotel in DC. Our friendship was built on matchinr Ray Bans. He was wearing khaki shorts with this blazer and tie. How chic. How intentionally chic.

Auntie convinced Maize to swim in the frigid water of the canal (even in August). She loved it.

Pretty Girl.

Richard's new in-laws must have been so impressed.

What I love about this photo is that it was taken at the Republican Club of Capitol Hill, that's why I'm doing my best George Bush Jr impression.

Pretty girl's not-so-pretty mama.

Standing in the center of DC!! This was on our backstage, all access tour of the Capitol Building. Thanks to the Salb family for making it happen! Ryan enjoying a glass of frozen (1000calorie) butterbeer.

Erika dissing the GOP elephant. We Gebows really know how to class up a joint!

I live for sweet kisses.

Our balcony in Flo-rida.

Our new baby, Amos (on the right), with his cousin Cash.

Acrobats at the monument. Me.

My sister.

There is that natural smile again. Aliya and Travis looking marvelous on the way to the "Pre-Hoe Down Throw Down."

The cabin squeezed in all of Aliya's nearest and dearest ladies for the pre pre hoedown throwdown. We're throwing up 101010s here, in case you were wondering.

It was amazing to have these girls be in the same place with me, all at once. It had been 7 years since that had happened. At Aliya's Hoedown/Committment Ceremony. She looked beautiful.

Maizey was so excited to be at the Space Needle. Now, anytime she sees it she shouts "Space Needle ma! I been there!"

The committers on their way to the elevators up to the ceremony!

Our family, waiting in line to get to the top!

Maizey was a ladybug for her school Halloween party last Friday night! A very cute ladybug!

She bobbed for apples...

Danced in the disco room...

and just really rocked the whole ladybug thing. She hid under the table when it was time to go.

For teick-or-treating Moo dressed up as a Rooster, we went around Nan and Pop's neighborhood and she made out like a bandit.

We made a bed in the living room, watched a movie, and stayed up late eating candy. I don't know who had more fun, Maizey or Ryan and I.

Dirty 30 and Other Adventures.

2010-08-04T22:39:00.000-07:00

So, it's happened. I've turned 30. And, to make matters worse, the "Terrible Twos" do exist. Actually, being 30 has been pretty great. The pressure is off and I'm ready to embrace my greys (no, not really). I've had such a fun summer. I've gone out more with my friends in the past month than I have since I was in my early 20s. We've spent ample time at the cabin and I've even managed to get a little tan.

Maizey being in the t-twos has been simultaneously stressful and exhausting, but with a little dash of hilarious that seems to make it just barely bearable. Luckily I have such an amazing support team that I can get a break when I need it. She's super opinionated and has learned that crying and whining can get you just about anything you want, or at least she thinks it does. She even will turn to me and say "Maizey crying, mama hold me" to get me to pick her up when she's being a stinker. The most hilarious/insane comment came when she kicked me in the face while we were playing in bed and then said to me (in a snotty tone) "mama need Tylenol now?" She only wants to wear pink dresses, but will allow other colored dresses sometimes, and pants only very occasionally. She always asks to see her poop after I change her diaper. She WILL NOT sit on a potty anymore. She says "excuse me" after she burps or sneezes or coughs, but says "gas" after she farts--sort of just to let you know in case you might be wondering. Her favorite foods are oatmeal, eggs, pizza, chocolate, and lollipops (which can either be lollipops or popsicles). She is giving out unsolicited "love you ma" and "love you dad" comments, which break my heart. She hates the car when it's hot. She wants to do everything "maself." She's super into dinosaurs and is beginning to learn the names of the different dinosaurs, super into her dance/tap class (even though I hate it), and super duper into her kitty ("lallie cat"). She's sick again, for probably the 3rd or 4th time since I've been out of school, so that sucks. But, she's starting school/day-care in September 3 days a week and we're very excited for her. She loves to be with kids more than anything.

Summer activities have included: spray parks, petting zoos, live concerts (um, Tim Noah for example!!!), free kids movie Tuesdays at the movie theater, movies under the stars at the park, lots of cabin time, hiking, 2 sailing trips, kayaking, Little Gym and Tap/Ballet classes, lots of gardening with nan, and lots and lots of time at the mall with mommy and auntie(Nordstrom sale!!!!). We've had a great summer so far, full of super fun activities, but I really miss school. Actually, I should say I really miss adult time. Actually, I should say I really miss me time.

Ryan and I will get plenty of quiet, adult time soon. We're going to Florida (um my husband loves Harry Potter and has wanted to go since the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened up--and Hawaii was totally booked except for old, ghetto condos, so to Florida it is). I will be going to DC the weekend before for my cousin's wedding. It should be a blast, a good portion of my family will be there and the wedding is at the Capitol Hill club--very fancy. But, I'm nervous. I haven't been on a vacation without Maizey for more than 3 days. I will be away from her for 10 days in a row and I'm not sure it won't hurt a little. She's staying with my parents and Ryan's parents so she'll be in good hands. I'm hoping that after a LONG summer of staying home with her that 10 days will be no problem. It certainly sounds good to me right now.

Okay, it's time to go nu-night. Here's a few photos of my fun nights out, and be sure to scroll down to see even more updates!!! Go me!

Sailing with the family on Elliott Bay. Tap and ballet class. Practicing while we wait for class to start.

So stinkin' cute. My 30th. Cake time.

My "special" sign at BalMar.

90210 style.

I heart him.

Can you tell?

Not sober. Erika and Amy.

Brothers (again).

On our way out for the night.

The BP Eclipse premiere--we're very important people. Team Edward and Team Jacob.

My friend Connie from school is the singer in a band we went and saw. So fun. The band is so good--check 'em out: dysfunksionband.com

The funny face series:

Jessica

Georgia

Me.

Dancing.
Connie on stage.

Aww. Fun.

Cara's last night before she left for the summer. Another reason I'm looking forward to being back in school.

Celebrating another successful quarter.

Petting Zoo

2010-08-04T22:30:00.001-07:00

If you haven't been to the petting zoo at Forest Park in Everett, you should. It's free. What more can I say? They also have an awesome spray park. We've been twice so far this summer. The second time Evening Magazine was filming there. Maizey was in several scenes on TV running around in the background. It was very cute.

Little pig cooling off. Pork stew.

Maizey found her favorite goat both times. Baby Mooshu.
Just being her silly, diva self.

Maizey and Mooshu, again.
The sweetest, little calf ever.

I told Maizey she can feel good about herself when she goes to the petting zoo, she doesn't eat these animals (or any animals). The other kids do and they shouldn't be allowed to pet them. ;-)

4th of July in Tahuya

2010-08-04T21:18:00.000-07:00

Let me just tell the story of our 4th of July celebration through photos. A lot of photos. In no particular order thanks to Blogger formatting...

Though I don't understand the appeal, the hit the buoy with a rock contest remains one of the cabin's most popular activities.
Even the kiddos get in on it.Erika, red wine and babysitting by large bodies of water don't mix. The balloon house at Tahuya days. Very cool.

Sparklers and Toddlers? My dad would not be pleased.

But both the girls did a good job.

Though this swing is new, generations of Gebows have swung from this very tree.

Alcohol+Cabin Fever= Interesting Ideas

My brother and his wife (Brion and Mistilyn) sailed up to the cabin and stayed on their boat and took us for a trip. Here is there beautiful boat.

The sailors in my family.

The non-sailors.

Docking the boat in Hoodsport for the street fair.Jim, Ryan, and I went to the street fair in the aluminum boat. And got wet. Next time we'll be on the big boat.

Brothers (in-law). Ryan was a hero and wore my soaking wet sweatshirt and I wore his less wet sweatshirt. Jon and the kids in Hoodsport.

Maizey, bringing glamour to the beach (and everywhere she goes for that matter).

And yoga chic in the front yard.

Daddy giving moo a ride at Tahuya Days.

Though Grandma and Grandpa Gebow died several years ago and we already had big memorials, it took us until this weekend to spread their ashes and get real closure. We all told a story and then we all spread a scoop of their combined ashes and a flower into the canal. It was really lovely. This is exactly what I want done for me when I pass.

Then we told Cliff stories. His ashes were placed in a memorial stone beside the campfire--Cliff style.

Sandals and Socks guys. My brother and my dad. So very northwest. Maizey on the deck. Cute.

Cousins. Ari is Maizey's idol.
Cash is Maizey's bff.

Toddlers racing at Shelley and Jon's. We didn't get the jeans and no t-shirt memo.The blue is genetic. The pink is coincidence.

Maizey's favorite part of Tahuya Days.Harper. Very festive for the BIG parade.

Closing down the parade.

Darren. Such a little ham.Maizey in the hot tub. I love that little neck and back. I could just eat her up!!

Summer(ish)

2010-06-21T14:06:00.000-07:00

So today marks the longest day of 2010. I just wish that the longest day of the year would be one where you can actually be outside enjoying it. Not inside with the curtains closed.

So far summer break has been sort of a bust. Maizey and I have both been sick with the devil's flu. It's lasted for weeks for both of us. I just went to the doctor today and found out what I already knew: bronchitis and asthma. But, the good news is that after using my inhaler once I'm already feeling some relief. Maizey is coming out of it too. So, at least we're on the mend.

But, I am looking forward to a summer of fun and relaxation. I'm so excited to get my read on. I've started The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo--me and everyone else in America, and I have three more waiting for me in my nightstand. I can't wait.

Ms. Moo is becoming my best friend and the funniest person I've ever met. She's also so considerate. When I cough she always asks me "Kay ma? Okay?" And, if she happens to see me cry she says "No cry anymore ma" and pats my face. It's so adorable. She also LOVES musicals. She would watch Annie all day everyday if she could. She is learning the words and sings along. And, when I'm trying to get her to fall sleep at night she always, inevitably, lays in bed for awhile singing to herself. She is starting a combo ballet and tap class in the middle of July. I don't really know what will be involved in a dance class for 2 1/2 year olds, but I know she'll love it regardless--if there is a mirror and music involved she'll be all about it.

As you probably know, yesterday was Father's Day. We had a fun morning (the rest of the day I was sick so Ryan didn't get the day he REALLY deserved), we took Maizey to Toy Story 3 and she LOVED it--but maybe slightly less than her daddy. He was very excited to share this with her. It was the first time she has been to a movie (except for the first few months of her life when we took her to Mom and Me at the Movies). She sat and watched the movie and ate popcorn and Skittles. Ryan had to hold her seat down the whole time because she was too little to keep it from folding back up. So cute. Anyway, I have to take a second to say what a wonderful father my daughter has. Ryan loves his baby so much. He is the perfect combination of supportive, loving, fun, and wise. He knows exactly how to make her happy and their bond is overwhelming to me.

On that note, I'm also a very lucky daughter. My dad defines the word supportive. Very few people are as unconditionally supportive as my dad. He gave me so much confidence growing up and I know that I wouldn't be as happy and content today without him. So, I love you dad. Happy father's day.

I don't think there is anything else to say????

Now! Photos!

Maizey's graduation from spring session of Little Gym. She got a medal and she wears it everywhere.

3 of my favs: my sweet Moo, spinach pizza, and my bed.

The wooden horse that my Gpa made. On one of the few nice days we've had.

My nursing school cohort on the last day of 2nd quarter.
My great friend Cara and I celebrating the last day of 2nd quarter.

Another attempt at getting a cute photo with my camera-hating hubby. I thought he looked so cute in this shirt. This was the best I could get... Maizey with her first set of big girl princess undies.

So I got home from the grocery store yesterday and this was what I found. My husband decorated my daughter like crazy clown. Maizey was so delighted by herself. She loves makeup so this was like a dream come true.

Mama's little clown.

This is a video of my girl all decked out. The video isn't great and I'm annoying as always. But, what-ev.

I'm On a Roll!

2010-06-05T23:09:00.000-07:00

WooHoo! You know nursing school is winding down if I'm posting twice in 1 day!

We had the pleasure of dear Auntie Aliya last weekend. And, always a pleasure to go to Uvillage. So I'm posting photos to prove it.

Maizey is starting to have vivid dreams--that include talking and laughing in her sleep (which is the cutest thing ever and it's how I woke up this morning--the best wake-up ever!!!), but on the flip-side, she's starting to have nightmares too. She just woke up from what was, presumably, a bad nightmare and is now in bedside me, at 11:20pm watching Monster's Inc. This would have been a really excellent post had my moo stayed peacefully asleep.

Anyway, here's a few photos to make up for it!

Breakfast with Auntie Al

Judy and Moo really had a connection. Judy said Maizey is an old soul. I agree with her.

Gram and Auntie My mom and Aliya's mom joined us for breakfast.

I was a very happy lady to have 2 of my fave girls in one room!

Attitude at Red Mango. Those teeth are off the charts adorable.
Uncle Travie too! I know she looks mad, but this is actually her camera smile. We're working on it.

This is me very sad that my daughter won't take a photo with me.

Leave it to Auntie to give moo lipstick to wear. Um, Chanel lipstick. Dangerous.

Maizey Grooves

2010-06-05T08:50:00.000-07:00

This is just a typical Friday night at our house, actually it's a typical M-Sun night. The girl loves to dance.

Lots of catching up to do...

2010-05-26T21:17:00.001-07:00

Hello. Do you guys remember me? Does anyone ever look at this anymore? Anyone beside the people who stumble here from Blogs of Note to leave dirty comments with links to their dirty websites.

Anyway, we have A LOT of catching up to do. Sorry about that.

So school is really winding down for me. Only 2 days this week, an exam and two clinicals next week, then the last week is an easy half day and a final test that we're required to pass but we get several tries to pass it and no grade for it, so mostly I feel like I'm done. That's an amazing feeling, two more weeks and I will be a third of the way through nursing school!!! That feels so good to say. This is the hardest I've ever worked for anything and I can't tell you the confidence it's given me. I finally believe that I may be capable of anything. This quarter was SO hard. I had to devote so much more of myself and my time. It cost me a lot of my family time, and that killed me, but Maizey barely noticed. She's very lucky to have such an amazing daddy and grammys who take such good care of her. I can't imagine doing this without them. I wouldn't.

RyRy has been perpetually sick for the last few months. It's been a bad cold, food poisoning, allergic reactions, you name it. He also lost his daddy toenail and it got really infected. I'm happy to report that I was able to heal it (well his immune system probably had something to do with it too) and apply all of my wound care knowledge. It was awesome, I knew what ointments to use, how to clean it, and how to wrap it. I felt very proud. But, back to Ryan. But, actually there isn't a lot else to say. I don't think??? He's good? He's been watching Maizey a lot lately and when he's not watching Maizey he's watching Avatar: the Last Airbender on Netflix watch instantly. God, I really hate the watch instantly option on Netflix. Who knew there were so many bad movies and television shows out there?

Now, to my star. Miss Maizey Lou is 2!!! Can you believe it? I cannot. Time is going so fast. It's so fun to watch her grow up though. I am having conversations with her now and I don't think that there is anything cooler than that. It's so exciting and HILARIOUS! I can't believe the things that come out of her mouth. Ryan and I can often be found crying we are laughing so hard about the random, silly things she says. Lately she always wants me to "move, ma" or "go way, ma!" And though that is very rude, it's still very funny. That said, she has the best manners a mom could hope for. Everytime she asks for anything she always says please and she always says "thanks ma" or "thanks gam" (for gram). She also apologizes to everyone and everything (if she bumps into the wall or chair she apologizes to them too), and she's so lovely to everyone (most of the time). She always wants be sure we're okay after we sneeze or cough or say "ow!" She goes "okay ma? okay?" It's the cutest thing in the world.

I think that's enough typing for now. I will tell you the rest through photos. These are just a few months of catching up, I don't have early April or any photos from March in this batch--that would have been too much I think.

These aren't in order. Has anyone at Blogger ever actually used the product? It's so impossible to load and arrange photos.

Getting music lessons from Uncle Foos (short for Foosball)

Celebrating their birthdays at Brion and Mistilyn's

This is all Auntie Erika. She definitely knows how to capture my Moo.

Silly girls.

As you will see, Maizey has learned to smile for the camera. She has really taken it over the top. Hammin it up... The slide is where it's at.

Maizey wearing her "lipsss." She thinks chapstick is lipstick and she has to have it at all times. I swear I really tried to be gender neutral with her. But, she's a girly girl and I love it.

On a hike with auntie. Nothing better than hikes with cupcakes.

My little outdoorsy girl. She loves to go hiking and talks about it all the time.

We're rockin the same jeans and genes.

Soul mates. And, Maizey's back-up mom.

Sassafrass. I just want to eat her up.

Modeling her new "pincess jammies" or "nitedess" from cousin Ari (they were Ari's favorite too). She refuses to wear anything beside princess night gowns. It's annoying--mostly because I only have 2 of them. Auntie and Maize love their Red Mango (so does mommy). In case you are wondering, her pin says "Herbivores Score More" Auntie keeps Maize awesome and embraces her vegetarianism (unlike other family members who think that chicken is not meat).

She kept getting ice cream headaches! I've never seen a cuter ice cream headache.She finds bars to swing on everywhere.

See? Soul mates.

Mad gym skillz.

She does not have mommy's fear of heights (but she did get mommy's fear of worms--phew!)

Her favorite past time is dancing in her bedroom, lately she's really been liking Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z. She likes the Hip Hop.

Spending Maizey's 2nd Birthday at the Aquarium then to Uvillage for lunch and cupcakes and play with Grammy and Auntie.

Kissing the otters. They are sososo cute!

Maize and Dad ridin' an orca.

Getting her face painted. She chose the starfish.

We have this exact same picture from almost 2 years before.

I psychotically love this photo. It would be at the top of blog if it were not vertical.

I've been watching lots of "Say Yes to the Dress" lately and had been wanting to try mine on again. Maizey was captivated and quickly asked to wear a dress too. We felt very important. She followed me all over the house.

I want to get married over again. The trouble with getting engaged at 21 and married at 23 is you don't know anything and you have no taste. I wish I could have a cool, interesting wedding dress to give to my daughter, but oh well. I like my dress, but I don't love it (I didn't even love it then). Wow, I just went off. Sorry.

Marking her growth chart with her 2 year old height. She's 35inches. They say that your adult height is about twice the height you were at 2. If that's true then she will be 5'10"!!! Tall like her daddy!

We had Moo's bday party at Little Gym again this year. She just loves it!

Playing on the bars with cousin Harper.

OMG. Cute.

She blew out her candles all by herself. Our annual mother's day hike. This one was really beautiful but a bit treacherous at times.

Nothing puts her to sleep like the backpack. Last weekend we went to the Pacific Science Center and then to what's left of Fun Forest and then onto the Center House for pizza and ice cream. She loves bugs and was super psyched to find this slug.

Cheesin it up with daddy. She's so funny.

The rides at Fun Forest were simultaneously fun and depressing.

Assembling a bug.

Frightened by a GIANT fake bug.

The cutest picture known to man kind. We're hard at work potty training and I happened to catch this moment of her playing harmonica and trying to potty in a princess dress. She likes to be alone in the bathroom and promptly told me to "go way, ma!"

We pre-funked at Auntie's before the Taste of West Seattle--lots of dancing.

Fashion diva.

We're in a real in-between hair period. She has two looks 1. homeless 2. insane. We went with insane on this particular evening.
You see what I mean?

She loves scented candles.

Here's a LONG video of us chatting tonight. It gets cute at the end.

see below...

Chat with Maize

2010-05-26T20:16:00.000-07:00

A Post for Post's Sake

2010-02-02T17:54:00.001-08:00

Hi. How are you? I'm good. I'm finding that I have a whole lot less to blog about these days. That's probably because it's not super interesting to sit down and blog about sitting in a class listening to lecture for about 8 hours a day. There is some interesting stuff but most of it I can't tell you because of HIPAA. Yeah, so there's that...

Maizey is moving right along. She's adjusted really well to her new routine. She's with my mom M-W, usually my mom comes and stays with us, but this week Maizey is down there (hence the free time to write this post). Thursday and Friday she goes to Ryan's mom's house. She often stays the night Thursday nights, which is also really awesome and gives Ry and I some time to go on a date or just hang out. I usually spend all Friday night and Saturdays with her. I look forward to it all week. It's kind of amazing how differently I feel about her and our relationship when I'm not with her 24/7. Being a stay-at-home-mama just wasn't for me. Sooooo hard!

So, what's new on the Maizey front? Well, developmentally she's moving right along. The girl is super coordinated. She does this thing in the shower where she grabs the bar of the little, built-in soap dish thing and then climbs up the wall (still holding on) and hangs with her head upside down. Sound dangerous? It is. Especially because after she hangs for a minute she counts to 3 and lets go, falling into the bath. It's awesome. It keeps me on my toes. She's talking a lot and can easily tell you what she wants. She's not using sentences or even really pairing words, but she is a master at the art of body language and can convey almost everything using her body and single words. She is also a master of manipulation. "Oh, here. Let me grab your finger and take you all over the house. I'll take you to the pantry and beg for 'choc' (chocolate) until you give in--and I'll cry if I have to." Also, she's a performer. My mom and I were at Starbucks yesterday morning before I had to go to school and Maizey was out in front of the bar (where people gather to wait for their drinks) dancing and jumping and talking a mile a minute to strangers. Puttin' on a show. She ran around from table to table waiting for people to look at her dancing and laughing and yelling. She then ran with all of her might to see a doggy, but wasn't paying attention and ran face-first into the side of a table. This caused her to breakdown and I'm pretty sure that I became "that mom" of "that toddler" at that point. Oh well. I think it's adorable and hysterical.

So, I'm really loving school. It's hard and it's challenging, but in ways I didn't anticipate. The workload isn't quite as big as I originally anticipated. And, the tests aren't that hard. Really. It was a lot of hype. In actuality, I'm not working as hard as I should be. I've done well on exams and assignments (half-way through I have an 88%), but as Ryan constantly reminds me--I don't want to just scrape by. He tells me that when my patient is "face-down in the muck," I will probably be hating myself for skipping that chapter in the book. He also paid waaaaaay too much attention during orientation and politely reminds me that my goal of maintaining an 80% in nursing school is actually barely passing (in the crazy nursing-school grade scale) and always says "I don't want someone who barely passed to be taking care of me when I'm in the hospital." I love him and his work ethic, but sometimes I want to punch his work ethic in the face. This is the man that graduated college with perfect attendance. Gag.

Okay, I need to wind down here so I can prepare for the big premiere tonight!!!! Lost is back for its final season and I can't wait for the nuts-o-ness to ensue! 3 hours of crazy tonight!

Here is a random assortment of photos that I managed to scrape together...

I finally loaded up our photos from Xmas tree hunting. It's a little delinquent, but we were in between cameras at the time and used our video camera to take stills. So, it's taken me a bit to remember to do this. Anyway, Ms. Maizey was awfully tired and fell asleep in the back pack. Soooo sweet.Aww...She loved hanging out in the back. And, as always, putting on a show for all the passerbys.
Here she is trying to plead her case about why she should be able to ride in the back with the window down all the way home. Oh the drama. Needless to say, she lost.

Fabulous dahling, I love the fringe.

No, those aren't her mama's sunglasses. They're her very own stylishly oversized sunnies. For all those mornings that follow very long nights. How very young, hip Hollywood. Couldn't choose between these next two. A fun morning at Jump Planet with mommy and grammy.

Those teeth? Are you kidding?

We're in the middle of---hmm, let's call it a bad hair quarter. More than a day or even a month. This crazy strawberry-blond mop has to be controlled. Thank god for Naartjie and their cute headbands!
Post slide. That's all I hear when we go to JP "syyyyde? ma! syyyyyde?"
She's the grand master of drama. She takes lessons from her mama and auntie Erika. Here we are being obnoxious at Nordstrom's Cafe. I provoke it. I love it.

Oh, she loves her grammy.
Cute Crewcuts outfit courtesy of Auntie Erika. I wish she'd buy me cute JCrew outfits. Erika sent me some videos that she took of Maizey at my parent's last night. Here they are...

Adieu!

This is for you Aliya!

2010-01-14T19:24:00.000-08:00

To my dear bestie who resides in a much colder land on the Atlantic ocean: see you won't miss out on an entire 2 years of Maizey's development. But, if Jessica doesn't get going on her blog, we may miss out on some years of Malina's.

*warning, this is a lengthy post. You may want to go use the bathroom and hydrate before you sit down to read this one...

Yes, I've been busy. So busy I might even miss out on some of Maizey's development (can you hear my heart breaking??). I barely see her, which is why I have so few photos to share. Well, I'm almost done with my second week of nursing school. Tomorrow is my first exam and I am totally lacking in motivation tonight. If you told me at 12noon today that at 7:45pm I still wouldn't have started studying I would have peed my pants--or vomited. But, here I am. I decided to let myself blog and then I would throw myself into my studies.

So, yeah, nursing school is pretty intense. A normal day is (in case you were wondering): up by 6am, leave by 6:45ish (Maizey is still asleep--blergh :-( ), get to school and study until 8 or 9am depending on when we start that day, lecture for 7-8hours on didactic day and 3 on lab days, get home about 4:30pm, hang with the babe and accessory persons until about 7 or 8pm, study from 7 or 8 until 10:30. Get up and start over. My carrot is my Friday nights and Saturdays with Maizey and Ryan. Seriously, it's the only way I can make it through.

That said, there is some good and even great in this situation. I do miss my baby, and my heart breaks a little each morning when I have to get out of bed and cease snuggling with her warm, sweet, little body while she is still peacefully asleep (I feel a little like I'm tricking her and worry that she wakes up wondering what happened to mama)--I digress, back to the good. I cannot tell you how much more I appreciate her. I'm SOSOSO excited to see her when I get home and every moment with her feels like a gift now. I'd be straight-up lying to your face if I told you it was like that with her before now. I loved her, but we were ALWAYS together and I longed for my private time, now I long for time with her and that feels more special. Also, I really like school. I like my instructors and I like my classmates. I have one friend in particular whom I LOVE--that's you Ms. Whitney. It's nice to have my own life. It's really nice to get to sit in a room full of really bright people who all love what you love. This week we started talking about cell pathology and I was overcome with excitement--I am giddy about this stuff. I get so excited learning about physical assessment and taking a health history. And, we're getting in a routine around here. It's feeling a little more normal and I think Maizey is starting to catch on. She's with my mom 3 days and my mother-in-law 2 days a week so she's with people who love her and as far as I can tell she is as happy as ever, albeit a little confused.

Okay, enough with the blab, the blab that you probably just skipped over to get to the pics. I don't blame you. I'm pretty sure you didn't come here to be my therapist. Well, maybe my cousin Kate did. She is, after all, a therapist. A gorgeous therapist who twilights as a fragrance model at Neiman Marcus. It goes without saying that she's cooler than me, and probably you.

Also, if you don't know Miike Snow, get to know him! His song Animal is definitely my first fav of 2010!

Here are my amazing instructors. Both lecture and my clinical instructor is Shannon, on the left. Shannon recently spent time in--wait for it--------Tahuya! Small world, huh??

This is my class of 32. I'm in the back poking out on the left. The yellow hats? Well, they're a long story...

Here are some Xmas Eve photos that Erika recently sent me...

My angel. My cousin Sarah. Another woman whom I admire enormously. The least pretentious, least judgmental, most loving person in the world. The girl also knows how to have a good time...

Just a couple of nerds... She's so animated. She keeps me laughing non-stop.

My daddy-o

Toddler+no nap+Christmas Eve=very tired baby girl and one VERY stressed out Grinchy mom.

OMG, Maizey loves her some Lou Lou! This pictures looks bad for two reasons: firstly, Louise's teeth look like they're lacking in dental maintenance--this is entirely true. Second, this is Lou yawning, not a shriek of pain or discontent. Maizey's shriek is, however, one of total, utter discontent, or joy. Obviously.Ryan and I pooled the money we got from his parents for Christmas with some of his extra earnings he made while in Dubai and spent a good, reliable, used Honda amount of money on bedroom furniture. It's quite lovely though, cedar drawers, oak, and hand made. Probably shoulda cleaned off the piles of laundry for its blog debut, but who has the time?

Here's the headboard and nightstands. I guess now that we used up all of our furniture funds the cheap Ikea lamps and bedding are going to have to suffice for a while. We also need to get some photos up on those walls! That headboard is so comfortable and soft, I can't tell you!!

Here's Maizey's first foray into painting. Medium: bathtub washable paint.

It's so much more fun to fill the potty up with treasures and push it around then to sit on it!

We did some shopping at Baby Gap and here she is showing off her new outfit. Auntie hit up Crewcuts last weekend, we'll be putting up some photos of those outfits asap!!Okay. Now I just want to take a moment to sing some praise. Costco online doesn't let you write reviews so I need to tell the world how glorious this product is via my blog. So, we're on our third King mattress in probably 4 years or so. All 3 of our mattresses got giant dents on either side, with a mountain running medially. I kept thinking that something must be wrong, some of the mattresses were not cheap and they were good brands, we were even able to return one after 2 years because it was so damaged. Anyway, we hypothesized that king mattresses should be on a platform, not a box spring. King box springs come in 2 halves so it would make sense that they could cause the medial mountain. Well, we were right. We found this amazing product at Costco and it solved the problem. No box spring needed and no big, bulky bed frame!!! It's this mesh network that supports the mattress evenly, with rubber feet so your doesn't slip away from the wall. It's so great. If you have the same problem, it will be the best money you've spent!

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?prodid=11474949&whse=BC&topnav=&cat=2131&hierPath=2131*&lang=en-US

I had a video of Maizey and Louise being silly (and me being annoying and pushy--as usual), but it's taking forever to load. I will put it onto youtube and load the link here asap. Check back...

Teeth and 'Tails

2010-01-03T00:14:00.000-08:00

I don't have anything to say. But, here is a photo of pure joy. She was so delighted with her appearance. Aren't we all???

Also, here is a link to a loooong video that I uploaded to YouTube. It's the only place that you can load videos that long. Anyway, it's worth the watch if you ask me. She was really enjoying Loulou's company tonight. Don't mind the messy room or the messy toddler...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm0jDmdkO0E

What a Difference a Year Can Make!

2009-12-27T11:28:00.000-08:00

We just got the official photo in the mail! Let's compare 2008 and 2009...

In 2008 Maizey was little and laid-back, Santa was Asian and quiet. In 2009 Maizey was big (comparatively) and *spirited*, and as adorable as ever. Santa was white and opinionated. We missed Asian Santa--even if he never "ho ho ho'd!"

Holiday Fun

2009-12-20T21:54:00.000-08:00

Hello friends and family! I know. I know. I've been bad. I used to be so good. What can I say? Does the fact that my camera passed away make up for any of it? Well, anyway, here I am to update you. I wanted to start with Thanksgiving, but I'm just going to bypass it and start off fresh. Yes, Ryan is home, safe and sound. It's great to have him back, but definitely having the house to myself for 2 months means that there are some adjustments. Also, there is just that adjustment period. You know, where you're kind of on each other's nerves a lot? But I'd rather have him here than in Dubai--even if he's a little annoying (especially when his dirty socks are left exactly 2 feet beside the laundry hamper--seriously, couldn't he have just put them in the hamper??). Aww, I love my Nis.

So tonight we celebrated Christmas with my family. We had dinner and hot buttered rum and some amazing moussey thing from Bakery Nouveau. Then we opened gifts, I have the cutest Lulu Lemon hoodie and some cool earrings to show for it. Maizey doesn't participate in the exchange, she just gets an insane amount of loot. She's got a new kitchen, a big area rug for her bedroom, a Little People barn, a tea set, college money, new See Kai Run Mary Janes, I could go on and on. The girl is set. We had a great time. It was really nice to have my family over. Maizey LOVES to have company.

Thursday night we had the 2nd annual Downtown Santa Extravaganza. It was SOSO fun! My whole family (sans Jim) and Ryan's meet downtown. We wait in line to see the Nordstrom Santa and drink apple cider and eat sugar cookies while we wait. Then we take a Maizey and Santa picture and then a huge Maizey and entourage photo. 11 adults to one baby. Both times we've been told that Maizey had the largest entourage of any kid. How lucky is she? But, she's so loved 'cause she's so great. We're really the lucky ones. After Santa we went and rode the carousel, where Maizey obsessed over her first candy cane and enjoyed the horsies. Then we headed to dinner. All 12 of us. It was a great night and I feel so lucky to have our family close by and all so healthy. My mom rolled in a wheelchair because of a recent partial knee replacement, but mostly she just did it for the attention (just kidding mama).

The second set of photos are of our attempt at a family Christmas card photo. Um, not easy. It's so funny because Maizey was so great for the Santa photos, but we didn't get a single photo of her looking at the camera during this photo session. When you see our Christmas card you'll see what we mean. This was the best photo we could get. Ry and I look okay in it, but mostly we chose it because it was one of the few where she wasn't screaming. Photo sessions are a type of torture for toddlers. Anyway, enjoy them, the whole thing is funny--in retrospect. Wasn't so funny at the time. Photo sessions are also a type of torture for Ryan. Not easy for me to manage a situation where not only is Ryan annoyed but Maizey is nuts-o. After the session I lost my keys and then I lost my mind. I went home and drank wine. I NEVER drink, but I HAD to drink. I guess you know it's the holidays when you have to hit the bottle to find some peace. Also, if you didn't get a Christmas card and you want one, let me know. I ordered 75 and only sent 39. Otherwise, what will I do with 36 cards?

Here are the photos...

Sorry about the wacky order. Blogspot photo formatting is my enemy.

Here's Maizey waiting in line. She's only entertained by high-priced, cutting-edge technology.

Meeting Santa for, as far as she can remember, the first time.

Primping for Santa.

Look at the gorgeous girl. She was so great for Santa. Although, I don't think she moved a muscle or even blinked the whole time she was on his lap!Rollin' in style with grammy!

Auntie Mistilyn and Uncle Brion.

Carousel and candy cane=pure Christmas joy!
Our group shot.Brion and Mistilyn ran in and just made it. Unfortunately, the first picture is better of everyone. Which to frame???
Here's last years photo to compare. Last year we lucked out and got "Diversity Santa" this year we just got plain, old, white Santa.

The photo session. See my sad sad baby----------->

Aww, I LOVE my handsome hubby.

And, my girl who was sweet for this picture with her mama.

She was having fun right before the photos really got started.

Then I tried to make her happy with some dancing.

But, then we had to restrain to even get her in the frame.

We were at a loss...

Seriously Maizey?

At a certain point you just have to laugh...

And try to make the best of it. But, is this frameable? Not really.

She had her own agenda. Which was mostly just watching dogs walk by.

Something Cute

2009-12-01T22:41:00.000-08:00

For you to look at while I'm being a lazy blogger. Ryan gets home tomorrow (praise Jesus), so I should be able to update you then.

Here is a cute photos of some Festive Peeps (they were excited at how well Maizey matched their get-ups) we met while we were shopping at The Bravern. Very fancy.

I can't come up with a clever title. Sorry peeps.

2009-11-22T12:01:00.000-08:00

You all know the truth. I'm blogged out, but I'm pushing onward. I'm losing my ability to think up catchy titles. The truth is that I should be doing homework. The blog steals away my school time and in a matter of weeks, it will no longer be an option. That's not to say I won't try.

Anyhoo, here are some photos...

Modeling some new clothes...

New coat from auntie ErikaNew sweater and jeans.Kitty loveJust being adorable on the bathroom floor--where else?So, Georgia and I both bought stuff at BP and got tickets to see an early showing of New Moon the night before it came out. Georgia bought enough stuff to merit 3 (almost 4) tickets and I bought enough to get the extra 1. We got to see in the night before it came out at 9pm. We went to Pacific Place and almost the whole movie theater was devoted to this. I think there are like 10 theaters and ours sat 600 if that gives you an idea of how crazy it was! It was SOSOSO fun! The energy was so great and everyone who was there was a HUGE fan. There was lots of screaming during the movie: when it started, when you first saw Edward, when Jacob took his shirt off, when Edward took his shirt off--you get the idea. I felt like I was among my people. The best part was that the movie was SOSOSSOSOSSO good! I LOVED it! I'm almost afraid to tell people that because I'm afraid they'll think I'm crazy, but I really enjoyed it. We had some time to kill before the movie started so we went and had a great dinner at Mexico. Unfortunately, it's probably the last time I'll ever have their amazing curry burrito (because it's coming off the men), but we still had a blast. We met a great group of women who sat behind us in the theater. One lady (Michele) flew from Virginia to be a part of this with her Seattle friends (whom she met in Forks). She is the biggest Twi-Hard I've ever met. Below is a photo of her showing me her photo of Robert Pattinson that she took when she flew to the LA Premiere last Monday. I'm so jealous. I fell in love with her and we're going to be Facebook friends! Anyway, enjoy!

This weekend I went to spend a couple of nights at my parents' house. We went to Rainforest Cafe in Tukwila and Maizey LOVED. Well, she half loved it and half had a miserable time, as is the case these days. She's pretty opinionated and fussy now when she wants her way--which is almost all the time.

Giving Grandpa the tour.

Shark!

The only photo I got with her where she looks remotely happy. I happened to be pushing my hair behind my ear, but still cute-ish.

The rest of the photos we took looked more like these two...

Ah, you gotta love toddlers...

DubRyan

2009-11-16T11:24:00.000-08:00

Do you like my clever title? It was between that and "Ry in Dubai" but DubRyan was more fun, like Bennifer or Brangelina. I wanted to post some of the photos that he's been sending me from Dubai--which is just a few despite my constant nagging and pleading for more. We have just over 2 more weeks until he's home. I am hoping that time flies by. It should, between New Moon, Thanksgiving, and the end of the quarter, I have a lot on my plate--plenty to keep me busy!

Here are some of the photos that Ry has emailed:

Ry says that most of the food is like Indian food (curries and rice), but there is still a Pizza Hut for those days that you're missing home and its abundance of sodium.

Being very dramatic. Singing opera, perhaps? In his teeny hotel room.

Just outside his hotel room. I guess a group of guys play cricket here every morning. Ryan says Dubai is a lot of smoke and mirrors. He's staying in one of the many not-so-nice areas to be closer to the airport (where he works everyday).

"Flying" a helicopter. I heart him!

There was an aerospace trade show in Dubai this week. Ryan went today and happened to see that a plane that he recently worked on was there. Ryan was the lead on this project and designed the interiors. He was treated like a VIP when he went to see it and they reserved a time for him to walk through this plane privately.
I am a proud wife.

So, yes. There is other news. In case you aren't on Facebook, I found out yesterday that I was accepted into the nursing program!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This fact deserves many exclamation points. It's been a long 3 years of pre-reqs, I got pregnant and had a baby along the way, but I finally made it. I feel very proud, I just wish my hubby was here to celebrate with me. Or, as a close second, I was hoping that my hubby would tell me to take myself shopping in celebration, but that didn't happen either. Poo. Oh well, I'm still totally psyched. This is a big deal for me. I want to shout out to my mom and my mother-in-law for their unending support of me and my family through this process. I couldn't have done it without them. And of course to my dear husband. He made me believe that I could do anything I wanted. That my capabilities were endless. I never used to believe him, but he never stopped and finally I did believe him. Now, the real hard work starts. Two years of no blogging, no hanging out, and very little fun. Don't feel bad if you don't hear from me for a couple of years. Seriously, they told me to plan for 70-90hours a week of school, clinicals, and homework. Oh crap. Here we go...

I don't really have any new photos. Here are 2 of Maizey thinking she is really awesome (we were probably listening to The Spinners Rubberband Man and when that song is on it's done. Maizey's cool level goes from 10/10 to 100/10--or so she thinks) and playing with her rock-and-rolla sunglasses. Also a couple of little videos from Little Gym last week.

So Blogged Out

2009-11-09T11:23:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry dear friends. I'm so over blogging. I just am. With Ryan gone, it's hard to find the time that is required to post a bunch of photos--Blogger needs to make it easier, write a bunch, and then try to organize it all. If you are a blogger using Blogspot then you know what I mean.

So I will cut right to the chase. Today I had my nursing school interview. It went really great and I'm so excited to find out if I get in--which will probably be sometime in the next few weeks, but up to a month. Ugh. Anyway, I found out that I will have even less time to blog if I do get into the program. Apparently all but the very most important functions of life get lost in the shuffle. Sorry to my soon-to-be-neglected friends.

I went to the cabin last weekend with Georgia, Jessica, and Jill. We had a nice relaxing weekend and I'm ready to do it all again. Actually, what I'm really ready for is on 11/19 when all four of us head to see New Moon at Pacific Place the night before it actually releases! I can't wait!! Team Edward. How could you ever be anything else?

So, I will tell the rest with photos...

Here is my new huge frame that it took me forever to put together. Maizey walks up to this and stares at it forever--until she sees the picture of her with her pacifier in, then she just starts crying to me for her paci. I'm so over that damn soothie!

I can't remember what I put up from our trip to Reminger Farms. So here you go. We had a great time. More photos can be seen at my efficient blogger of a cousin's blogspot:
http://zarling.blogspot.com/2009/10/remlinger-farms.html

She loves the swine.

On our scary hike into the woods during the girls weekend. It was so beautiful, even if we were being stalked by wildlife.

Our fearless leader--she was not afraid of being the first one to stumble upon a giant spider or a dead body.

Aww...

Waiting to make the climb up the tree.

We had to cross Dry Creek (not dry this time of year) to get to where we were going!

She wasn't super psyched, but did a very good job!The weather was gorgeous on Friday afternoon. A perfect snuggly cabin kind of day.

So while I waited for the girls I lit a fire and snuggled up. I eventually turned off the tv and just listened to the sound of the fire and the waves. Seriously, heaven.

We went to Jump Planet during drop-in time with Ashley and Ava last week. Maizey loves Ava and we all had a blast!!

Maizey on the baby jump house.

After a fun slide down!

Can you tell she loves Ava? Who doesn't? That is one smart, sassy, silly 4 year old!

Checking out a turtle at the zoo a couple of weekends ago.

She's a primatologist wannabe just like her mama.

Kisses from the goat.Halloween 2009. My little pumpkin.

Taking to the streets of West Seattle. Meeting up with Emilie.OMG! It was "spuhbub!!!"My girls.Eventually she got the trick or treating thing down, she'd even go by herself!!Sugar break. Only on Halloween. It was a little nuts.She was feeling all sugar-rushed at this point and in a very good mood. She wanted to share her candy with everyone.Winding down the day playing with Cash.Handing out candy to the trick or treaters at Gma's house.Trying to convince me to give her just one more piece of candy. No way baby. She's a chocoholic.Here is a funny video after a busy afternoon of shopping. Maizey is in love with her new shiny flats. So cute.

I was lying to myself, and to you.

2009-10-31T09:45:00.000-07:00

Those boots were torture. I returned them. I had a moment in the car where my feet hurt so bad because of them that I thought I might crack. I was driving, my dogs were barking (I had to say it), and I literally could NOT spread my toes apart. I don't know why this was so troublesome, but the fact that my toes were all bound together and I couldn't spread them out in that moment almost caused me to scream (I might have if Maizey hadn't been in the car). Those boots were foot straight jackets.

So now, I've decided to embrace NW Casual and all that that implies. North Face coats (I have 4) and Danskos (also 4) or running shoes and jeans or cords. There is nothing wrong with this. It's easy, comfortable, and makes you look intelligent and environmentally conscientious. More importantly, I can spread my toes apart with ease in my Danskos.

Here are the shoes in heaviest rotation. I know it seems sad, but I'm okay with it. And, my brown Danskos just look like that because I wore them to a farm yesterday. This photo might give my sister nightmares.

I know you're thinking "weird that Lana lined up her 4 shoes on her coffee table" but I always keep them there so it's not really weird after all.

I'm not saying that it doesn't make me kind of sad to throw in the proverbial towel. I have visions of skinny jeans and edgy boots just like the next girl. But, I also have visions of bunioned feet and muffin tops. Somethings gotta give.

Okay, moving on. Ryan gets annoyed when I do posts like this. Probably because A. it makes me sound ridiculously stupid and narcissistic and B. because he calls this the "family" blog not just my personal blog. But, I take issue with that. It's true that I document Maizey comings and goings here, but, this. is. my. blog.

On that note, today is HALLOWEEN! Yay! We have a big day planned. We're headed down to W.Sea to T or T in the junction (where they are doing something kid oriented--I don't know, Erika told me about it). Then we're going to Hiawatha Community Center to see the world-famous (that's a lie) doggy costume contest and parade. I'm pretty sure that will be the highlight of Maizey's day. Then my parents are coming up and we're headed over to Ry's parent's house for dinner and to open the door for trick or treaters! Fun fun! Maizey is being a casual, comfy pumpkin (her choice for comfort over style reminds me of someone I know). Last year she wore a peapod costume that was so cute for all of about 5 mins. I decided that this year I wouldn't torture her. She has many years of Halloween costume torture in her future, I figured I'd give her a break this year.

Yesterday we did Remlinger Farms with Bethie and Harper and my mom. We had such a good time. I LOVE that place! The rides and the petting zoo and the kid-sized haymaze and the steam train and the pumpkin patch, they all give rise to the quintessential fall destination. What gave rise to the quintessential car ride with a toddler on the way to the quintessential fall destination was when Maizey (who has made a habit of gagging herself for fun) stuck her fingers so far back in her mouth that she barfed all over herself, her clothes, my in-laws new car (my car was getting new tires put on), and my in-laws carseat. It was AWESOME! I had to pull over on the side of the Hwy and get Maizey changed. I thank Allah that I happend to have brought my carseat with us and had a bag of clothes since Maizey was going to my mom's afterward to spend the night. So, I traded out the carseat and got Maizey changed. She wasn't the slightest bit shaken by the fact that she had just puked up breakfast, nor did she seem to care that this technically, meant that she was bulimic. She just played happily in the front seat while I worked tirelessly to clean up puke from the seats of my in-laws car with the 10 wipes I had with me. The rest of the ride in the vomit stenched vehicle was almost equally as awesome. But we shook it off and had a great time.

I'm not going to post photos. I'm too lazy, but I'm going to provide you with a viable alternative. Look to the right of the screen. See where there is a link that says "Zarling Wonderland of Fun: Remlinger Farms" and has a picture of two little girls in a wagon below it? Go there. You can see photos of our day there. But, here is one photo that you won't find there that I HAVE to share since it's officially my new favorite of Maizey. We took it as we were getting ready to leave Remlinger Farms and she was crawling on my mom's car. It's so cute. Happy Halloween!!!!

I just want to let you know

2009-10-23T22:54:00.000-07:00

that I'm thinking about doing a new blog post. It will probably happen very soon. I'm thinking it will be Sunday. I'm at my parents' house this weekend and therefore without photos. And, let's be honest--what's a blog post without photos anyway? So, I will be home Sunday and try to post then. I do have a very silly and cute video of Maizey and Jack to share. And, I have very cute new boots to talk about. I know most people don't share new boots news, but since I'm a student and we're now on one income new boots are hard to come by. Not anymore since I just got my first student loan! What what!?! Time to shop! The big Nordstrom half-yearly sale is just around the corner and I just got their MOD card! Woohoo!*

*I'm really just saying this to piss off my far-away hubby. Who, btw, won't be home until December 1stish. Poo. But, actually, Ryan, if you're reading this. I did get a MOD card, but it's not what you think. It's good. Trust me. My poor frugal husband with his crazy, clothes obsessed, irresponsible wife. He's just lucky I wear Danskos. Not fashion forward, but sturdy, reliable clogs that will probably last the rest of my life. They just don't look good with leggings (at all even sort of, a few unfortunate souls have tried and failed miserably) which is why we have the boots. Oh, and, I re-discovered Abercrombie. I braved the cologne and loud music and half-naked models and found cute jeans. Unfortunately it was just in time to find out they reported major losses this quarter and will probably go bu-bye. Maybe if they didn't systematically alienate the people with money (adults) from their stores they wouldn't be in this position. Maybe if they didn't need a crane to get jeans above a size 6 more people would want to shop there. Even if there clothes are over-priced and usually quite worn-in/a-transient-had-this-before-me looking, they're actually pretty cute.

And, I'm done. This non-post turned out to pretty much be a post. But, don't worry, a real post is around the corner. And I won't make you feel uncomfortable by bringing up my finances in the next one. I promise.

Here's my boot for you to admire--and if you don't, well then you aren't fashion forward and I will just put up pics of my Dansko clogs for you to look at. If you don't admire those, that's where I stop. I won't be putting up photos of Easy Spirits--ever...

The difference

2009-10-12T22:25:00.000-07:00

between babies and toddlers is this: when babies get bored, they cry. when toddlers get bored, they get creative. this was a night when maizey was really tired. ryan is still gone, so when i make dinner at night it's up to maizey to keep herself entertained. here's what she came up with...

of course, i never quite captured the moment exactly, but you get the idea...

i had to attach the videos separately, but they were from this same night. she learned to spin herself around and around and then tries to walk, and she throws a blankie over her head and walks all over the house running into walls. it's all really safe stuff.

also, these videos were meant for far away daddy, so that's why i'm bugging her all the time to say "hi" to daddy. but, they're too cute to keep to ourselves.

2009-10-12T22:23:00.003-07:00

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

2009-10-12T22:23:00.001-07:00

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

2009-10-12T22:20:00.001-07:00

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

i'm too busy for this

2009-10-08T20:40:00.000-07:00

i know it's been a long time since i've blogged. here i am though. blogging. i figured this was the only way to stop the heckling. but, seriously, i am crazy-ass busy these days. literally, i get almost no free time. as most of you have heard, ryan ran to dubai on 24hrs notice. leaving me alone to raise our child and apply for the nursing program. luckily, this should be a pretty short trip--just 3 weeks. there will probably be a longer trip in the very near future, maybe just a few weeks after he gets back. i'm not actually sure i'll let him go so easily this time. this single mom in school stuff is h-a-r-d! but, i'm pretty lucky because i've had the help of my mom and my in-laws. i doubt if will be alone much through this time, but it's different having the help of close family vs. your husband , i'm realizing how much i take my hubby for granted. i'm wearing one of his ripened shirts that he left for me. he wore it to bed before he left and i love having something around that smells like him, although in 2 days it'll just smell like me. and, he's going to miss his 30th birthday, and we had to cancel his party. pooh.

anyhoo, yes. i've turned in all the bits and pieces for my nursing school application. it's been a long 3 years, but i am so elated to finally be here. it's out of my hands now. i should know sometime in early-mid december. if i don't bring it up again it's because i didn't get in, so don't ask me about it ;-) we have a good plan b though. if i don't get in, we are going to sell our house and go live abroad for a year or two. ryan can easily secure british citizenship, and if you are a citizen of gb, you can work anywhere in europe without a visa. um, yes please! so it's a good alternative. time will tell...

i have the cutest, silliest daughter in the world. period.

what else? i don't know. i'm busy. this is eating into my quiet time so i'm going to wrap it up here. wrapping it up now. wrapped up.

lots and lots of fotos (in no particular order)....

so adorable. at the cabin with ry's fam.

gram jan reading to maize.

a water tour of tahuya.

she loves her animals!

this is what happens right after little gym but right before nap. passed out eating lunch watching "bob" (spongebob).

Our last drive-in of the year. so fun!

maizey looks soso cute in this photo!a walk in the woods at my favorite park in snoco: mccollum park

peek-a-boo with grammy

eating dirt and lookin' good! nick and jilly at josh's 30th!

the birthday boy...

andy and jamie.

we finally got to see josh perform with his band and they were SO good, even if it was little loud in there! andy getting a bit of bad news :-(

alicia servin' it up!

L-O-V-Esalmon days 2009. so fun! maizey was mostly just interested in all the dogs.

although the alpaca did get her attention!

the fam.

omg, this was the cutest thing ever. maizey LOVED the pony rides. she just got this air about her when she was on the pony like "i'm pretty awesome, and we both know it." it was over the top. the best $5 of my life--and hers so far.

seriously. i know. she was a natural.

applauding at the dock dogs show.

waiting for the bubba to jump...
there he goes!

um, a chocolate covered dingleberry? no, thanks. i thought ours was the home of the dingleberry. the worlds fattest cat has less than stellar hygiene.

more doggies!

the salmon trying to make it past the ladder! she was totes mcgotes into this.

with grammy and grampy or "mum-mum" and "pah-pah"

i would like to take a moment to say that since maize has been alive, i've been to my fair share of festivals. without a doubt salmon days is the best. all the kiddie stuff is free (bouncy houses etc), it's free to go, the hatchery and stream are so cool to see packed with salmon, and cheap pony rides. i can't believe i ever paid to go to taste of edmonds, without a doubt it's the WORST festival i've ever been to.

this last photo here is a little frightening. it's of maizey's baby stroller (one that she can put her dollies in and push around), but instead of putting dollies in it, she just fills it with crap. notice cans of soup and random wrapper garbarge. she looks a little like a bag lady living on the streets. it's a little weird and hopefully not a sign of things to come. i guess i just though of one thing that i'd want her to be less than an engineer--bag lady.

oh, okay, i guess this is the last photo. here is maizey--fresh outta the shower. helping daddy pack. the flashlight is so he can clean out the giant holes where his wisdom teeth once resided. i miss him so much. blergh.

wow! you're up to date. and i'm off the hook for a little while...

2009-10-08T20:15:00.000-07:00

here is a long but super cute video of my fun little baby. she loves to dance. i don't have any idea where she gets it?????
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

La la la la la la la la TJ Max

2009-09-15T22:28:00.000-07:00

So, we have one by my house. I knew it was in the league of like Marshalls, and Ross, and maybe Kohls--although I've never been there either. Anyway, I always have this memory of this store in Factoria (across from the movie theater) is it Goldsomething-or-other? A store that is in the same class of those I just listed. You know the one giant store next to Starbucks???? I don't know, but my mom told me of this horror story about a shopping trip she took there once. They didn't have any dressing rooms, you just walked into a big women-only changing room with bunch of mirrors. I've had nightmares about it and avoided all stores in that genre ever since. I can't think of anything worse than a bunch of bargain shoppers in South Bellevue in their old, baggy skivvies trying on marked down discount Amy Byer clothing. Literally, the idea gives me the shivers.

Anyway, I finally womaned up and went. I was on the hunt for nice, albeit inexpensive, throw pillows. In a house with a toddler there's no reason to purchase nice accessories when we all know it'll just end up with cheese or animal cracker mashed into it. What I found was a mecca! I just took Angie there tonight so she could purchase two books from the Twilight series for $6 each!! That's a smokin' deal! They had awesome kid's toys and books, super cute clothes for me, Pierre Cardin (Ry's favorite type of dress shirts) for cheap, and GREAT home accessories. I got two really cool and unique throw pillows that would have cost me 2-3 times as much at Crate and Barrel or Pottery Barn. I know you're thinking that I probably got a kickback for this post, but I could only hope for some in-store credit to come my way.

I'm turning into a bargain shopper.

I'm turning into...ugh...my mom.

Here's a cute photo of Maize this morning for you to contemplate...

BTW, just saw District 9 tonight and it was incredible. Probably one of the coolest and most interesting movies I've ever seen! I'd definitely recommend it.

Totes McGotes

2009-09-11T17:14:00.000-07:00

The title of this post probably seems weird to you, unless you've seen I Love You, Man. Which is such a funny movie. Totes McGotes is one of the things that we quote everyday from that movie. If you haven't seen it, you should!

Anyway, I'm just burning time. Ryan had his wisdom teeth out this afternoon. He's in the bedroom watching crazy, awful movies (like Crank 2:High Voltage). Maizey is with my mother in law, and I'm left with a bunch of free time. I've already caught up on my Rachel Zoe and Flipping Out, so there's no TV left to watch. Anyway, Ryan is doing pretty well. He only had 2 wisdom teeth--apparently he's more evolved than the rest of us (but probably less wise), so hopefully that will make recovery slightly easier. Poor dude, they couldn't sedate him. It's supposed to be a light general anesthesia (since they can't intubate you in that setting--or just don't), you're not supposed to be awake, luckily I wasn't. Well, for whatever reason, they couldn't put him out. So he was awake, but his memory is spotty. He was also on nitrous, so he was in good spirits and telling all the ladies how much I liked the Twilight saga. Funny boy. Because he has such a high tolerance for medication they gave him a really strong prescription for pain meds. I've been really worried about it. I left briefly (to run an errand) and asked him to stay in bed--just to avoid catastrophe. When I walked in the house, I found him face-down on the floor! I screamed his name, it was just what I feared most! Well, he started to laugh, he was fine. He was fooling me. I guess this means he's feeling okay...

What else? Nothing really. Here are lots of fun photos of the last couple of weeks...

My mom, sis, and darling daughter

Bill Cosby style... This pair is inseparable, except for when they're separated. They're in auntie-niecey love!
Same with these two!

Aww, so sad. Those are stamps on her hands--she gets them after Little Gym.

Cheesy smile!

Looks like a catalog shot, the house and the baby!

Sissys, not sissies. Yes, I know I'm cute!

"Interesting, but terribly overrated..."

Happy girl.

"mmma" and "pahhhhh"

Great grammy's 80th birthday!Looking 80s radical this morning. The top is courtesy of auntie and the shoes were hand-me-downs from cousin Ari.

Lou's collar as a belt. Tres chic!

I've spent my whole life trying to avoid engineers (my friend Jill is the engineer exception--she's very well socialized). I've managed to surround myself with them--my dad, my husband, and now, my daughter. I was in denial about Maizey for most of her life, but I've come to accept it. If there is a buckle, clasp, snap, drawer, zipper, she's all about it! She spends hours (well tens of minutes), just fiddling around with the same buckle, and she endlessly stacks blocks and canned foods. Please tell me this is normal toddler behavior. Please let Maizey be a prima ballerina and medical doctor when she grows up. Or, even a receptionist...We had some torrential downpours last weekend. Maizey loves puddles, so we geared up and took to the street in search of some gigantic puzzles. We ended just having a really great time playing at the school by our house.

This felt so much more impressive than it looks, it felt like I was 10 feet off the ground, not 4!

Puddles!

I think it's time for our whitening...

Cute tush...Daddy's favorite trick!

Playing at the school with daddy. Yes, we're there almost every day.

LOVE that toothy gap!

We had a playdate with cousin Jackson last week!

Playing with their great grammy!

Everything that is wrong with the world...

2009-09-11T07:26:00.000-07:00

This matter is horrifying. This poor, young woman. This is the most invasive, mean, awful thing I've ever seen in my life. It reminds me of the type of probing that was done around race and religion in the middle 1900s. I can't imagine what she must be feeling. I'm embarrassed to be human. Luckily this woman seems to be impenetrable and to come from a very strong family. Good for her. I heard about it this morning on the Today show, where it was, at the very least, handled sensitively. Then I saw this article and I can't believe the verbiage. I may just write my very first letter to the editor!

"Hermaphrodite" really? What is this? 1955? Come on...

Caster Semenya, forced to take gender test, is a woman ... and a man!
BY Oren Yaniv
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Updated Thursday, September 10th 2009, 1:50 PM

The 18-year-old South African champ has no womb or ovaries and her testosterone levels are more than three times higher than those of a normal female, according to reports.

The tests, ordered by The International Association of Athletics Federations after Semenya's 800-meter victory in the World Championships, determined she's a hermaphrodite - having both male and female organs.

Semenya could be stripped of the gold medal she won in Berlin last month and her competitive future is in limbo, according to Australia's Daily Telegraph.

The athletics governing body is also expected to advise her to have surgery to fix the potentially deadly condition, the paper reported. The IAAF would not comment on the results that have yet to be released.

According to a source with knowledge of the IAAF tests, Semenya has internal testes - the male sexual organs that produce testosterone.

Testosterone is a hormone responsible for building muscles and for producing body hair and a deep voice.

Confirmation of the test results is sure to stoke the controversy that erupted after the university student's sensational track triumph.

She has been embraced in her home country - where she was declared "our girl" - and appeared on a magazine cover after a feminine makeover.

"God made me the way I am and I accept myself. I am who I am and I'm proud of myself," she told You Magazine, which ran a photo spread.

"I don't want to talk about the tests. I'm not even thinking about them."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2009/09/10/2009-09-10_caster_semenya_.html#ixzz0QoCCO08K

Old friends

2009-09-05T22:19:00.001-07:00

Those 2 photos, above, are probably my 2 favorite photos from growing up with my friends. They also happen to include the 4 most important people (outside of my family) to me in the world while I was growing up. They were my best friends, the kind of best friends very few adults ever get to have. They each played the role that as adults is never fully filled, but adequately compensated for, usually by an assortment of people. Now I have my husband who, I believe, is probably one of the best out there. I have my sister and my mom, and then there are your adult friends. Adult friends are amazing. Don't get me wrong. But there is a passion that isn't there with the people you meet as an adult. As an adult, I've made some amazing friends, and I in no way take that for granted, it's just different. You know what I mean. Maybe it's because I've been with Ryan since I was 17, so as an adult I've never had to rely on my friends for the kind of enduring support that you require of your friends when you don't have a live-in best friend. Whatever. The point is that the friends that you have growing up are wound into the fabric of the person that you become. They shape you. The friends that you make as an adult embrace you, but they don't have nearly the impact on you because you've already become who you are--with a few changes here and there. At least, that is my experience.

So why, then, do I never see these people? What changes? When I do sit down with any of these women, I am blown away by what amazing and fun people they are. I feel lucky to know them in any capacity. Did I just wind up with the most unbelievable childhood friends, or do I love them so much because they are a part of me? It's true that in 2 of the cases these girls live far away from me, but I don't know if that actually makes a difference, because I barely see the 2 that live near me. I had a hard time with my high school reunion. I felt so much love at my reunion, I felt like a lot of these people were like family to me. I'd known them and been close to them for so long, that when I was around them I felt at home. Home in a way I hadn't been in a long time, since I lived in my parent's house on the plateau. It was exciting. I wanted to know these people again. But, it's been a year since my reunion and everything is the same as it was. I don't think that the social networking sites help this situation, because you're kind of in contact, but not really. You know what's going on with everyone and you're constantly being reminded of people who, before Facebook, you were destined to forget.

Getting back to my 4 girls. I want to make the time. I had the pleasure of spending 6 hours over lunch and coffee with Angie tonight--just talking. I miss that conversation, and I was really glad to have had it. Now, I want more. I think that childhood friends know how to bring out the people we are at the core. Because they were there. They saw it. Before all the drama and the injury and affectation that comes in adulthood and changes you forever.

So I want to take a few minutes to remember my very favorite moments with these girls:

My Plateau Girls-Care to Dance every year, the "Dancing Teaus"; Safeway Select and Goldfish at Angie's; the Moody Blues and singing "Again" in the media room; the teary goodbye at DeeDee Abodeely's house when Jessica moved away; late night trips to Minnie's; Summer of 1995--best ever, Jess made that picture board with all our memories (I've lost mine do any of you girls still have it?) and all we listened to was Sarah Mclachlan at Jessi's dad's house; Kirkland in the Samurai; Markus and Forrest; the Devine Boys; Pookela and Jeff--the hair model; making coffee cool; getting ready for football games and dances listening to Alanis Morisette; Seattle the day after Thanksgiving; senior boys; all of you in my wedding; all of us in Jessi's wedding; my trip to the Mojave with Angie; the best friend contest from some teen magazine that we were determined to win (see photo below); Aliya taking such good care of me before my wedding when I was so sick; seeing Jessica pregnant; seeing Aliya and Maizey dance to live music; 10/10/10; I could go on and on

Sarah-our radio stations; summers in your pool and playing on the power pad; me moving away; Anne moving away and then surprising her in her empty mansion when she came to visit; you moving sososo far away; you surprising me at my door and then our trip to Ojai; Encino Man; the Viper; our long walk to Crossroads to see a movie; the houseboat trip to Lake Trinity; weekend sleepovers; the weird guy I met on the internet that I made you sit next to; making up dances; you were my bridesmaid and my real estate agent; lunches in Bellevue; seeing you in labor--you looked so uncomfortable I was worried you were going to break in half; baby Kyra and those curls; visits at the tanning salon; my bachelorette party; I miss you, I want to see you more than twice a year, which is totally my fault. Let's get together asap.

I guess this is how it goes. We grow up, we get busy, we move away, we get married, we change. But, it doesn't mean I can't feel sad about it. It doesn't mean that I can't work harder to see these people. It doesn't mean that I can't totally hope that one day all of us will be in the room together again. Laughing and eating goldfish crackers and drinking pop, reading magazines together...

Obsessed

2009-09-02T13:46:00.001-07:00

with this cracker. I got it on my way over to Georgia's yesterday and I haven't thought about anything else since. Good for so many different reasons...

F this S!

2009-09-01T17:34:00.000-07:00

Yes, this is totally effed up s---! Getting your wisdom teeth removed at practically 30 is a mistake. It hurts. I've had 3 surgeries now, including a c-section, and this is by far the roughest. I have 2 choices right now, I can either be in pain or not in pain but feeling weird and nauseated on pain pills. It's lose lose. So, do me a favor, if you are told at 17 and then every year after that you need your wisdom teeth out, do it! Don't wait until your immune system is old and decrepit.

We did manage to make it to auntie Georgia's for a playdate today. Here are some cute photos from that and from yesterday's usual antics...

2009-09-01T15:53:00.000-07:00

Here's a video of Darren being cute...
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

wecarriedthewatermelons.blogspot.com

2009-08-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

This is my ode to being 15 and dramatic. Come and share your old diary entries. Read mine. Share pictures of you at 15, or 13. Post your favorite quote from Heathers. Whatever you want. Remember how Forrest Findley told you that you had hairy legs on picture day in the 5th grade and how you cried and your mom promptly came to school with a pair of overalls to cover up your white, scabby, and apparently hairy, little legs? Here is the place to finally let it all out. Get it off your chest. You'll feel so much better if you do, and we'll all have a good laugh because you did.

wecarriedthewatermelons.blogspot.com

5th grade, picture day...

Life is good--at the moment...

2009-08-29T09:41:00.000-07:00

Well, life was good when I started this blog post, but I've been dilly dallying--you know when you stumble across old photos and videos and you end up spending hours on the computer when you never intended to? I was feeling great, drinking some good coffee, nibbling on a jelly donut and listening to my show tunes station on Pandora. But, I think my percocet is wearing off, so now I'm feeling a little pukey and my eyes are sensitive and my mouth is starting to hurt.

Actually, I think I will take a break from blogging for the moment. It's virtually unheard of for me to stop blogging in the middle of a blog post, but I promise, I will be back. SAVE NOW.

Well, I'm back, but I'm going to be brief. It turned into a really intense bout of nausea, but I ate some mashed potatoes and took more meds and now I'm feeling slightly better, but not great. My doctor told me that pain peaks at 48hrs post surgery, and she was right--almost to the minute! The title of this post is funny, I just saw it again. Life was good, but that is moment by moment right now.

Anyway, I sat down to blog because I was feeling so lucky. Between my mom, my husband, and my amazing mother-in-law, I've been well taken care of. I can't express to you how grateful I am to have such amazing grandmothers for my daughter. I was never as close to either one of my grandmas as Maizey is to BOTH of hers. Times were different though, I was one of many grandchildren on both sides, and Maizey is the only grandchild on either side! She is so loved and well taken care of by both sets of grandparents and by her her amazing auntie Erika. I'm sure my mom and Jan would love to have lots of grandchildren, but I always remind my mom how much better it is that she can fully devote herself to Maizey, and she's lucky to not have to spread herself too thin--she can focus 100% on Maizey--which is good because the diva demands it!

That's the other thing. Maizey has been sosososo much fun lately. I know I keep saying it, but this is my favorite age. Granted, I think it was about a month ago that I was blogging that I gave birth the devil incarnate, but I've adjusted and learned how to manage the craziness, and she was going through an especially devilish time back then. I'm always just a few steps behind her, so it takes me a few days/weeks to adjust to where she takes me. She's just so happy and silly and smart. It kills me. She's pretty good at repeating words, and my 2 favorites are Lou lou which she says "lur lur" and Spongebob which she says "sp-pause and nod her head-bob." Also, her dancing drives me crazy, the minute music comes on she throws her arms up in the air and just starts bouncing. This morning I put on her favorite kids' cd, which starts off with Old McDonald and she just let loose. It's the cutest thing ever. And, at Little Gym, she runs all over and just "sucks the marrow out of life" (I bet Thoreau never intended that to refer to playing at the Little Gym). She has so much joy she can't even contain it. It's addicting. And, she's jumping. There are kids who are 4-5mos older than her in her class and she's the only one who can jump and get air--we're talking a whole inch here, people!! She's not uber advanced with language, she's pretty much just doing what she should be, but she is very advanced with her motor skills. And, she has the best sense of humor of most any person I've ever met--let alone toddler.

So I said I'd be brief, I don't want to blog myself sick again, so I'm going to be true to that. I just want to thank my friends, all of whom have updated their blogs recently--except Georgia 'cause she's too busy making homemade donuts (who does that???). Also, I wanted to let my ladyfriends know that I'm going to start another blog, here in the very near future, where I just post old diary entries. I was rereading some of mine when I was going through my memory box the other day and they are hysterical! I want everyone to fish out their old diaries and get ready to share some of their own too. I'll setup the blog so that everyone can post--let me know if you want to get in on it. It'll be really funny. My first post is going to be an emotional letter that I wrote (but never gave) to my sister about how much I would miss her when she goes to college. Good stuff.

PHOTO TIME!

This is a photo I texted to my sis yesterday so that she could see my silly face. My narcotics had just started working and I was feeling good. I had been taking vicodin and it wasn't working at all so they gave me something stronger and I took it while the vidocin was still in my system. I sent Erika the text with picture and told her I was higher than I had been since I was a teenager. She loved it and insisted I put it on the blog. Needless to say, I quickly became dizzy and needed to lie down. I was too afraid to fall alseep, I was afraid I'd die because of the steriod/antibiotic/iburprofen/percocet/vicodin combo--like Heath Ledger. I told Ryan to call to check on me if I fell asleep and he just texted back "RIP." Well, I didn't fall asleep after that.

Here I am this morning. Puffy. Looking really pretty. Just before the barfy bout.

Yesterday I desperately needed to get out of the house, so we went on a family trip to the school 1 block from our house. Jan just got Maizey this little sweatshirt and these shorts and I thought she looked so cute! Like she just got out of toddler yoga.
I'm such a sucker for these teeth! I know most toddlers have a gap in their teeth, but I really hope it stays. It's sososo cute.

Peekaboo!

She's so agile, she climbed this ladder all by herself, we are just there to spot her!

She'd rather walk up the slide than go down it!

Look how gorgeous my husband and daughter are. I look like, hmm, let's just say I look really bad. This is an incentive to not ever gain 10lbs in my face.

This should be Lou's incentive to not gain anymore weight either. This poor dog, it's hard to watch her go for walks. She's obese. Morbidly. But not because we're bad dog owners. It's because she has major PTSD.

She thought daddy's eye sockets (or orbital foramens--you're impressed, huh?) made nice handles, lucky for daddy.

She insists on holding the leash...

which is okay because they walk at the same pace.

She loves to help her grammies do yard work. Here is my mom watering the garden that my mother-in-law planted for us. I know, I'm lucky.

Jan gave us these huge pieces of paper that we just cover the coffee table with and let Maize color on. She LOVES to color--well she likes to color, but she LOVES to eat crayons and colored pencils. We don't let her use the crayons anymore--the pencils are less edible.

But still kind of edible. Playing in a sprinkler puddle.Post playing in a sprinkler puddle.So, just about every morning I text my sister a picture of Maizey. She calls/texts me demanding that I do so! Technology is amazing. Anyway, I just uploaded my pics from my Blackberry onto the computer and I wanted to share some of these, 'cause they're so cute. For some reason Blackberries are really slow to take photos, so they're not always the greatest but they're still so cute. Her morning face is the cutest, and she always walks around with her "treasures" in crazy outfits...

Brushing her teeth in the shower! Good girl!

Watching the Today show--probably.

With her sunhat and broom and dustpan.

Her camera and my camera bag. Isn't this outfit ridiculous in an adorable way?

Cheesin' it up, LOVE the dimple!
Her good morning smile for auntie!

Now I'm off to lay in bed and try and convince Ryan to bring me home a grilled cheese and a milk shake from Burgermaster. He's working overtime today and Maizey is with Gran Jan, I've got the house all to myself! I LOVE it!

I'm wondering...

2009-08-24T16:31:00.000-07:00

Can toddlers survive on Pirate's Booty, fruit, pasta, and eggs? I know that sounds like a lot (or maybe it doesn't), but my kid eats some variety of carbs and cheese at just about every meal. No veggies, EVER! She sees something green and instantly avoids it, even if it's not a veggie. I'm sick of having to trick her into eating veggies, so I think we'll be on the carbs and dairy plan for awhile. Actually, I think I'm on the carbs and dairy plan...

What else? I'm having my wisdom teeth out on Thursday. I'm SO nervous about it. I don't know why. I've had 2 surgeries now and both have been a whole lot easier than I thought they'd be. My mom is coming to stay to help with Maizey for 2 days--thank god! I'm really worried about the pain. I'm also worried I will be considerably less smart after they come out.

I'm listening to my Pandora station right now and Jungle Love's "The Time" just came on. Why do they think I want to hear this song? "Jungle Love. ohweeohweeoh. Girl I got to show ya..."

Not much else to report, Maizey is adorable and cute and so silly and fun. And, a LOT of work! I think I'm going to just forget the whole crib transition and put her straight into a single mattress on the floor. I think she'll like that better. Either way, I have to get her out of my bed. It's not fun anymore. She's a "kicker," but I would say that she's more of an equal opportunity abuser--she kicks, hits, and just generally makes you uncomfortable when she is asleep beside you. She's too big to be in bed with us. We tried to share a queen sized bed at the cabin and all 3 of us slept poorly.

Okay, I'm apparently out of interesting material. Here are some photos from our vacation to the cabin...

Cute after a trip out to the beach.

Louise in one of her few appearances outside of the cabin.

Exploring the tide lands with Grammy.
My mom's cooking is enough to get anyone to drive 2.5 hours in the car with a fussy toddler!

This is the best photo of all 3 of us on our trip. Needless to say, there were some pretty awful photos.

Such a tired baby after fun, long cabin days.

Getting ready for a hike to see Uncle Fred! The Serious Twins.

Ryan took Maizey to the old, abandoned saw mill--much to my chagrin. I told Ryan, this is exactly how scary movies always start, and the outcome is never good. Luckily for us, everyone made it out alive.

A VERY choppy evening in Tahuya. I love it when it's like this, so I HAD to swim!

Daddy playing with Maize and Lou.

Doggy kisses.Trouble makers...

Waiting in the ferry line.

Kissing in the ferry line.

2009-08-24T15:20:00.000-07:00

Here's a cute video of Maizey being silly in her pool while we were at the cabin.
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

My baby's got sauce!

2009-08-17T19:23:00.000-07:00

And by sauce I don't just mean attitude, I mean snot. Maizey has a cold. This is what she gets from kissing every kid and a few of the adults at her Little Gym class last week. She's learning the penalty for being, er, promiscuous??? at an early age. Anyway, it's terrible. Not as bad as a stomach flu, but still not fun. After she wakes up she is pretty happy and content for a couple of hours, but then she gets fussy and it's all downhill from there. Night time sucks. Sleeping is not fun. Maizey can't breathe very well so she'll sleep for a couple of hours and then wake up for a couple of hours. And, of course, that means I'm up with her. Oh well. Hopefully it's a short cold, it came on pretty quick, so maybe it will fizzle out quick too.

Not much new to report. I'm working hard on my nursing school application. It's so exciting and scary. The application is a lot of work, a lot of boxes to check off. I'm having to study remedial math for the basic math test we have to pass. No calculators allowed, so I'm having to relearn very long division. It's annoying, but pretty easy once you brush up on it. I met with my advisor last week who told me I'm a "very competitive" candidate, which made me feel better. Nothing more frightening than working so hard for something and not knowing if you'll make the cut! I won't find out until probably December and would start in January.

Ryan, Maizey, and I (and Lou) are headed to the cabin for vacation this week. Ryan hasn't taken any vacation time since Christmas, so I'm excited to get away. Plus, the weather is supposed to be really great.

What else? Nothing really. I'm looking forward to Christmas. And, on that note, I think it's time to proceed with the photos.

Oh yeah, Ryan and I have watched 50 episodes (the first 2 seasons) of Lost in the last 2 weeks. Quite a feat when you have a 15 month old. And, a nice way to spend those beautiful summer days. The show is mostly just annoying to me now, but I have to watch it. It's like crack--bad, low quality, last resort kind of crack.

Maizey and I went to visit auntie Erika last week. We took Cash on a walk at Lincoln park. The leaves were already beginning to fall and Maizey and I were dressed the same, so an impromptu photo session was in order...

There's nothing "natural" about this pose, but you can see our matching outfits...

Look at her teeth!

I want to kiss those lips right now.
No, this did not come in a frame I bought, it's real!

Oh my god, I LIVE for this...
Beautiful fall, beautiful girl. She's obsessed with this little backpack. It zips onto the carrier backpack that we just bought for her, which we love. Every morning she finds this backpack, fills it with treasures, and carries it around like she's the most important person on the planet--which she is.

Here she is mid-sneeze this morning. Can you see the goo coming out from her nose and mouth?

Here she is yesterday morning. Do you like her crazy-morning-just-trying-to-keep-her-warm-in-clothes-i-don't-care-about-getting-messy outfit?

Waiting for daddy to finish mowing the lawn so we can go out and play!

Being silly!

Daddy! Are you done yet?? This is her sick today. She can still party like a rock star, and do yoga like Madonna.

We were having our daily, mandatory outdoor time. We're trying to instill this in her so she doesn't end up being an indoors-only, tv watchin' girl--basically so she doesn't turn into me. She thinks I'm nuts.
We have to mandate outdoor time for Lou too. She's an indoor girl.
I tell Maizey all the time not to text and drive at the same time, it's so dangerous!
She wanted my Iced Mocha sososo bad, so I finally let her try a sip to punish her. She immediately dropped this cup and gagged. Thankfully it went my way. I'm pretty sure she won't be begging for iced mochas anymore.

She found a soft place to sit.
Sharing her animal crackers with Lou.

Jessica, Georgia, the kids, and I went to the Taste of Edmonds yesterday. To my dear friend Jill, who rounds out our foursome, this was improptu and in no way did we intend to exclude. Don't feel bad, you just missed over priced food and poor event planning--too many people in too little of a space!

I didn't get the memo to wear pink ;-)

Maizey trying cotton candy for the first time, she didn't get it.

Sporting the fancy crown that auntie Jess helped her make!

Cute kids in crowns.

Ari and her balloon doggy.

Happy family.

Auntie Jess and Maizey.

I figured I should probably try to get Ryan on this blog occasionally. So here is a funny photo I found of him eating chicken and watching Dr. Phil. Getting in touch with his feminine side.

Here is another one of him. I look cute, he looks kooky. But it's better that than the other way around, if you ask me. He's still super cute and I love him.

2009-08-17T18:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a long, silly video. Grammy hasn't seen Maizey in almost 2 weeks because she's been outta town. This is really just intended to hold her over. If you want to watch it too, you can. Just don't pay attention to my feet--I need a pedicure!
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Long time, no blog.

2009-08-03T20:51:00.000-07:00

Well, you know it's been too long when your husband says "you know it's been almost a month since you've blogged?" Um, yeah. Sorry about that. First we had a garage sale, then I was gone for 2 weeks, and then it was really hot and I couldn't even think about sitting in our hotbox of an office for even a minute--let alone the hours it takes me to blog! Now, I can't find my camera, with it's many fun photos that should be a part of this post. Luckily, a lot of other people took photos and so I get to steal from their libraries. As you will see, I'm hardly lacking in the photo department.

Well, I'm happy to report that I have, apparently, given birth to the devil. I may put too much stock into astrology, but after living with (and trying to raise) the notoriously stubborn Taurus (Maizey), I've decided that next time around I'm going to try to swing it so that my baby is a laid-back Libra. Yes, my sweet, fun, beautiful daughter is also nuts, violent, stubborn, very opinionated, and a hell-raiser! I'm not really going to elaborate, anyone whose lived with a 15month old probably has been through something similar, but just today I was hit--a LOT, she pooped in the shower, she got into lipstick and got it all over her clothes and the floors, she managed to find an old computer monitor (a BIG 19" one) and drag it to an outlet where she proceeded to work very hard at plugging it it, she bit off several of the small rubber stoppers inside the cabinet doors, she got into the pantry and dumped out a package of spaghetti and then stomped it into a thousand little pieces, she also really got into poking me in the eye--she kept doing it over and over. It doesn't matter if I tell her "no," I mean it doesn't even phase her. How do you discipline a 1 year old for throwing her hard, plastic doll in your facing and laughing about it? There isn't really a way. That time, I took her doll away from her, which made her have a major meltdown, but most times there isn't a way to make her understand that I'm mad at her. Am I raising a psychopath? If you ever met my CRAZY, hyper dog Porter, then you know that maybe discipline isn't really my thing. Oh jesus, we're in trouble. If working full time was an option right now, then I definitely would, I'd let someone else raise Maizey, I figure they can't be doing any worse than I am!!!

I know you're thinking "well, where were you when all this debauchery was taking place?" The answer is that I was very nearby. I would leave the room for maybe 1 second to try to accomplish various tasks (like putting laundry away, putting dishes away, going to the bathroom, etc.). During the lipstick incident, I merely had my back to her, I turned around about every 30 seconds, but that's just long enough for her to get tricky!

Okay, all that said. My girl is hysterical, and adorable, and getting more fun every day (for every bit more fun she gets, she becomes equally as difficult). She loves to kiss, and comes is and then kisses and goes "mwah" and pulls her head away really fast--it's the cutest thing ever. She also has started singing, and her dancing gets more and more intense every day--it's SO funny! She is learning to ham it up and please people by just being plain cute and pulling out her uber-hammy smile--it's gets me every time! So, yes, this is really hard--by far the hardest thing I've ever done, but it seems to find a way to balance itself out (thank god), but there are some days, like today, where I am pretty sure I'm going to put her up for adoption!

This is her cheesy smile, when she's hamming it up for the camera. The funniest thing I've ever seen! Where do they learn this stuff?Here is the beginning of the spaghetti catastrophe today.

What else can I tell you? Well, like I said, I was gone for 2 weeks. I went up to my parent's place on Hood Canal. I had a fabulous time--especially since they recently added central AC and we happened to have some of the hottest days on record while I was there. If it's gonna be 100deg outside, it's nice to be at a place on the water with AC. Luckily Maize was with me for that part of the trip, so she didn't have too much trouble with the heat. I know how hard it is to have a baby in that heat and have no AC--yuck! My sister and her girlfriends were there for the first week, and then I was with my mom on the 2nd week. Maizey was with me at the beginning and ending of the trip, but for 3 nights in between my mom had Maizey and I got to be Miss Independent and let loose--and I really did. We had so much fun, and I got a pretty good tan, with a little bit of heat stroke on the side.

I'm sure there's more to say, but I've already said a lot, probably more than you wanted to read, so I'll just let the pictures do the rest of the talking. I'm not going to put them in order because that would take all night. Brace yourself, we have a lot of catching up to do!

Maizey at QdobaLooking very rock and roll in her new pants and hat from auntie!
We caved and turned her seat around, she would throw tantrums constantly when she was rear-facing, this was the lesser of 2 evils. She got her way--she's diabolical and I'm a sucker, it was bound to happen sooner or later...

She was the best salesman at our garage sale! She helped us make $500! Which we quickly spent on new things for her!

Erica and Meghan at the cabin, being "entertained??" by our awesome dance moves!

Amy sure can rock a boot...

The mamas on the dance floor, and, yes, I am doing the running man.

This was our favorite thing to do, well, my favorite thing to do. I'm pretty sure she found floating to be really boring.

Looking for little crabs on the beach. Just like I did when I was a kid! I think they call that "full circle," my friends.

Heaven on Earth.

No, that's grape juice in our hands, it always makes us silly!

Okay, so this deserves some story telling. After drinking a lot of, er, grape juice. I decided I wanted to swim out to the pilings, climb up, and dive off. I convinced Colleen to come with me, she is, after all, nearly an Olympic swimmer and I thought it would be good for someone to be there to rescue me should things not go my way. Also, if there were some large predator in the water I thought having someone who was lean and muscular (aka tasty) with me may improve my chances for survival. Then, to my delight, Erika, Erica, and Maureen decided to come with us. So, we made it out there and Maureen and Colleen (the athletes) climbed right up onto the pilings, while I struggled to pull my body weight out of the water and climb the 2 feet up the piling--jr. high flashback of the fitness test and the pull ups. I forfeited the pull-ups and they had to time my hang instead. Upper body strength has never been my "thing." Anyway, as I'm struggling to get my fat ass up the piling, I notice that we have an audience. I mean a BIG audience. Every house I could see had people sitting on their decks watching the show. People were even taking photos. Instantly I regretted not wearing my Keens, I regretted that I was doing this drunk (making my already out of shape body look even less coordinated and able), I regretted that I chose the *by far* wobbliest piling, and I regretted my decision to lay out in the sun wearing shorts and the subsequent farmer's tan that followed. But, I made it up and we had applause coming from everywhere. I was so proud. Too bad I felt the need to yell to everyone that I accomplished this "drunk!!!!!!!!!!" And, sound carries on water. I'm pretty sure that people on the other side of the canal could hear my proclamation. Then, we posed for some pictures, dove off, and swam back. It's the stuff of legends.

Here I am struggling to get out of the water!

Here we are celebrating our accomplishment. I'm yelling to everyone that I am drunk, without shoes, and on the wobbliest piling of all! Notice my shorts tan? That's hot!

We didn't plan this, but we were twins, right down to the Keens!

Hopefully this will be her last time on top of a bar! Ugh, too cute!

Bethie and Harper--canal girls!

Another gorgeous canal girl, representin' Tahuya!

A random photo, from my family bday party. My gift from my bro and his wife, can't wait to take it out for it's maiden voyage! We are just having trouble finding a helmet little enough for miss Maize!

Georgia's 30th B-day! Wow, we're all getting a little old, but still lookin' good!

Maizey on her way to Geogia's party. Love this dress!

At Harper's 1st birthday. Lucky Harper has her own bouncy house!!

Maizey ready for a boat ride!

Maizey in the morning and all her treasures!

Having fun in the pool with grammy! Sometimes the cold water of the canal isn't her favorite thing, so this is a good option.

Watermelon and nude, a good way to stay cool!

Tired and ready for bed after a long day of swimming.

Giving the flowers kisses.

Chocolate chip cookie+100 degrees= messy, sweaty child

Best sunsets in the world. I kept telling everyone that those are the mountains where the Cullens hunt. I would sit out there watching the sunset and think of Edward, good vampire that he is, hunting elk in those mountains.Enjoying a Nilla wafer after a long day of swimming and play. Isn't she the cutest thing ever?

My girl has rhythm...

2009-07-11T21:14:00.001-07:00

I fully intend to do a "real" blog post in the next couple of days, but here is a video of my cutie groovin. It's too cute, I had to share it asap! Don't mind my singing, oh and she has one shoe on 'cause she likes it that way...
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Sunny Seattle Days

2009-07-06T20:10:00.000-07:00

Hey, it's been awhile huh? I think that anyone who has a blog knows that sometimes you feel like blogging, and sometimes it's the last thing you can imagine making time for. I'm feeling the later.

However, I'm dedicated to my friends and family. So this is for you.

The last week has been pretty chaotic. I owe more than a few phone calls and emails--sorry about that. It's been so beautiful in Seattle that I feel the need to live it up, until today when Maizey and I napped off and on all day and didn't get in the car once!

Last week we went to the cabin with grammy, to Lincoln park and the Colman pool with grammy and auntie Ricky, and Jetty Island with daddy and grammy Jan. If you have kids and you haven't been to Jetty Island, you MUST go. You get to take a free walk-on ferry from downtown Everett to this long, narrow island. The tide goes really far out and leaves a BIG sandy beach with warm tide pools. When the tide comes in the water is SO warm. We had a blast.

On Saturday we went to Cal Anderson Park in Seattle to meet up with Aliya. We had a blast there and the highlight (aside from seeing Aliya) was the live music. Specifically, it was Maizey's dancing to the music. She sure knows how to put on a show. She even got a shout out from the band for her dancing skills! She even danced with strangers. I love that she loves to dance. She's like her mama.

Sorry, the Bachelorette is on and I'd rather be watching that, ya know, if we're being honest...

4th of July at Auntie Erika's

Mmm, raspberries!
The cake I made, not to be disrespectful, but I'd really rather be British.Auntie Aliya was in town! We met at Cal Anderson Park, where the Adventure School hosted the 4th of July party.

Daddy put on Maizey's suit backwards, here's mama trying to keep her decent.

There was a fabulous wading pool and tons of fountains at the park.With her auntie.

Her she is helping us get our garage sale ready.

Playing with daddy at Jetty Island.
The warm water.

A family photo.

Walking to the seaweed to get to the water.

She loved the sand!Here is our camp.

Lincoln park. She loves to throw bags over her shoulder, future model or hobo.

I think she looks like she's 10 here.

Floating at the cabin with grammy.

Father's Day

2009-06-22T08:59:00.000-07:00

Well, I don't have much time to talk--lucky for you! My crazy, little toddler is into everything these days, so lots of time I do not have.

Yesterday we went for a hike to Bridal Veil Falls. It was beautiful and so much more fun than our last hike. It was a lot more of a work out, technical in spots, and generally just more treacherous than Wallace Falls, so it made getting to the top that much better. We had a blast and little Maizey was pooped!

Oh yeah, she also slept in her crib last night. It only took me an hour to get her to fall asleep in there, and that is what it takes to get her to fall asleep in bed with us anyway these days. I am very proud of her--and me!

Sorry, there are a lot of photos. I was going to weed some out, but I couldn't...

Our Hike

I know it's a dorky pic, but this little bridge was scary for me. It was about 5 feet off the ground with big gaps in between the slats that you walked on, it was about 2 ft wide with nothing to hold onto. Not scary for most people, just wussies like me!

My mom kept calling me. She was worried about bears. Seriously. I was just hoping that a vampire would join us, perhaps Edward Cullen???

We put Burts Bees on her lips and she LOVED it! Here she is rubbing in the chapstick.

The only family pic we got and Ryan has his eyes closed. Go figure.

Our lunching spot.

The view from the falls.

They had these cool bridges at the falls.

She didn't want to be in the carrier anymore on the way down. So this was her transportation.

Nature baby. So tired on the walk back.She just laid on this rock while we got ready to go.Tired baby.

Here is our setup for the transition into the crib. I'm going to sleep by her for awhile and then gradually make my way out of the bedroom. It's tight in there right now! But whatever works, right?

The "magic" years...

2009-06-18T21:55:00.000-07:00

Hello. I'm back. It's felt like weeks. I know it hasn't been weeks, but I think all the posts that I've written over the last 3 or 4 weeks were written in such a daze that I barely recall them. Perhaps I should clarify, not like a drug induced daze, just a studying daze. Now, I've just replaced the studying daze with the Twilight-saga daze.

So, phew, I found my camera charger. It was actually in the first place I looked, but apparently I didn't look that well (again probably because of the Twilight daze). Anyway, Ryan saved the day and found it. So I will be able to post some new photos and videos (if they ever finish uploading).

Um, yeah, about those "magic" years. I haven't actually read the book to find out why they call them the magic years and not something like the tragic years, or the really hard years, or the pour yourself a drink and try to have a good sense of humor years--any of those titles would have been much more appropriate. To you mothers out there who already know, they are referring, of course, to the toddler years. Maizey became a toddler the day she started walking--at least that is the formal definition, but I actually think that the toddler years began for us last Thursday...

So Maizey has always been, let's say...opinionated and spirited. But always in a really crazy and endearing way. I would have NEVER considered her to be a hard child to manage. Just happy and crazy and fun. Well, I was driving down to visit my sister last Thursday when Maizey had her first temper tantrum, yes, her first temper tantrum was in the car--it was painful. The crying quickly escalated to screaming and hyperventilating. I was sure that something bad had happened, like a bee sting, so I exited and pulled over. The minute I got her out she was happy and smiley. The minute I put her back in her seat--screaming. I was livid.

That was the beginning. Now we are "those people with the kid" at restaurants. Maizey throws food and just wants to bang silverware on the table. It takes a clean-up crew to take care of the mess after we finish (actually I just get on my hands and knees and use wipes, because I don't want to be those people). She screams to get out of her high chair and then runs around the tables laughing. Putting her to bed at night takes HOURS, yes more than one.

On the flip side, she is growing up and it's adorable and fun to watch. Her personality is addicting and magnetic. She learns a new skill everyday. She says mama every 5 seconds (which is endearing or annoying depending on the context), she says "hi dad" whenever she sees Ryan (but it sounds more like "hiiiiiii dahhh"), she can point to her foot, belly, and head. She can tell you what sounds dogs, cats, cows, ducks, and crows make. She's pretty good at saying up and sometimes we hear down. Oh yeah, her favorite thing now is the phone, she even can hold a conversation with Grammy, and she does so just about every morning. It's the first thing she asks for when she wakes up--literally.

Best of all, she's a dancing queen. Her moves are getting better everyday. She's added foot tapping and arm swinging into her repertoire.

I guess I should say something about the rest of us. We're good. I'm learning what it's like to be a stay at home mom again...it's hard--especially in the midst of the magic years. But it's also really amazing and fun, and truth be told it's allowed me to get in quite a bit of reading. I'm also making a lot of cookies, which is not so good. We're slowly getting used to life with one dog, although I think Lou is still feeling bummed. Ryan is finally getting the time he's been dying to have to work on the house. Every night it's either yard work, wash the cars, or dilly dallying in the garage. I know how much he missed being able to do that stuff while I was in school. My mom is into her 2nd week of radiation and we're finally coming the a foreseeable end to this journey. She's been doing very well with it so far, and I don't anticipate that to change based off our previous experiences. I'm super excited to take Maizey to the Solstice parade this weekend (painted naked people should be highly entertaining for her) and then we're going hiking on Sunday, so we should have lots of photos to share on Monday!

Peace...

This is our life. Everyday.

She is crazy for Starbucks Iced Cups--like her mama.
Her pool. She LOVES it!
Deep in thought.

Eating chocolate chips. I know, I'm a good mommy.

Post-chocolate chipsThe day of the infamous breakdowns, oh yeah, this is her new favorite dolly. It's a blast from the past and even smells like Strawberry Shortcake, but not my top choice for a "lovey" item. It's scary, has a crazy Chucky laugh, and feels awful when you roll over on it in bed!

Below are two videos, this is going to be how I post videos from now on. It's so fast, it puts the Blogger application to shame. Serious shame. Anyway, they're both from tonight, one is of some of her fancy new moves and the other is Maizey showing off some of her skillzzzz!

2009-06-18T21:49:00.001-07:00

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

2009-06-18T21:48:00.001-07:00

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Don't get excited...

2009-06-14T21:25:00.001-07:00

It's not a real post. Just something temporary to hold off the "feedback." I can't post for real because of two reasons. 1. I can't find my camera charger, so my photos are being held hostage on my dead camera. And everyone knows that a blog post without photos is majorly disappointing. 2. I'm in the company of a vampire-heroine-werewolf love triangle of teens. Yes, for the first time since last summer I am able to read (now that school is out). I've joined the millions of crazy women before me and now I can't think about anything but Edward Cullen, poor Ryan has to answer to Edward now. Ugh, I love it. *I can't believe I'm about to say this* I even told Ryan I'd like to visit Forks and La Push this summer. N-E-R-D!

Alright, it's time to snuggle in with Jacob and Edward (ahhh, don't I wish??)!

Since I have no photos to post, here is a link to the New Moon preview, just in case you've been on the old moon for the last couple of months and haven't seen it. http://www.newmoontrailer.com/

BTW, I'm going to need to borrow a copy of the next two books if anyone wants to loan them to me...

Done!!! Well, for now....

2009-06-09T21:37:00.000-07:00

Today was a BIG day for me. Today I completed my science pre-reqs for the nursing program. To the lay person, this doesn't mean a lot, but to the person who has been through it (or the husband who has supported you) it means so much. After a really hard 11 or so weeks, we went out and lived it up tonight. So, to my nursing friends and to my family, thank you so much. This has been extremely difficult on us all, but it will be so worth it in the end. And, imagine how we can tell everyone about the 5 functions of the Renin-Angiotensin Mechanism, we'll be the most interesting people at parties.

Luis~ you are hysterical. Water bottles will never be the same. Sorry in advance for the irony, but you are silent but deadly--the smartest New Yorker I've ever met. All I have to say is: Priapism. I will never forget what that word means now.

Crista Jean~a gal who is just cool and fun by nature. You exude positivity, even in the wake of ridiculous instruction. You are so warm. You could teach people how to have fun. You will save lives in the ER, you already do.

Whitney~we missed you so much tonight. You are the fastest test taker I know and I am secretly hoping you don't get into the program this fall so we can have you with us in the winter. You are funny without even trying, and smarter than you could possibly imagine.

Jason~this quarter wasn't the same without you and you were by no means forgotten. You are so gentle and kind. And, probably the best CO around ;-) You were born to be a nurse, you just make everything seem a little bit better. Apply to Everett or I'll never talk to you again!!

Andy~thanks for the tutorials, the endless advice, and the 35minute long bitch sessions on the phone, I can't believe how bright you are, I will be a better nurse just for having known you! I hope you sail around the world and save millions of babies from cholera. I have a 25lb bag of rice and a 48 pack of bottled water because of you, maybe it will save my life--but I doubt it ;-)

Sonny~you're name is no coincidence. You are sunny and so charming and fun to be around--you're magnetic. You will be the nurse people talk about for years after you've helped them. You will make a big impact. I know it.

Sam~you are so thoughtful and kind and fun. You will be the most beautiful bride ever. You're endless energy is responsible for many As over the past couple of quarters. Your energy and spirit are contagious. Thanks for the coffee, banana bread, and flowers. You were meant to take care of people.

Nateja~the little sister I never had. I will miss you every day. You are the silliest, funnest girl I've ever met. You're my little hippy in hipster clothing. I will think of you every time I opt not to microwave Maizey's food and every time I weigh an immunization. Maybe I won't immunize my next baby and maybe I will name her Nateja in honor of you. You are going to crack back like it's nobodies business. Learn the Bradley method and I will come to your office so you can turn my next breech baby. Seriously, the world is better with you in it. If I don't see you before you go to Caly, I will die.

My peeps at Tailgaters...Sad Nateja, she should be a nurse--even though she inherently disagrees with everything they stand for...

Nateja--I love you and your mouth like a sailor.

The flowers from Sam.

Work hard(ish)=Play hard

My girls...

all of us...

Now, here is to long, lazy summer days, with nothing to do but hanging out with the cutest/silliest baby in the world. Tomorrow I will wake and: a. be sober and b. have nothing to do. I can't wait...

Drive-in

2009-06-06T09:53:00.001-07:00

I LOVE drive-in movies! We're really lucky to have one so close to our house (http://www.sterlingrealty.com/drivein.asp). Growing up we'd go to the one close to our cabin and I remember being so excited just at the thought of it. Since I've known Ryan (we've been together for 11years on Monday!!!), we go at least once a summer, but we should go more. Okay, here I go, the drive-in rocks because: you get to see 2 movies for less than the price of one at a regular movie theater; you get to snuggle with your loved ones and make impossibly comfortable beds with 4 comforters 6 pillows and one king-sized feather bed; you can bring your own food--a lot of people had pizzas and I will definitely do that next time; and last but certainly not least, they're the loop hole in going out to see movies when you have kids. We brought a bottle, Maizey snuggled in, and she was asleep before the movie even began. We did go see two kid-themed movies for her sake, but we should have known she wouldn't even see a moment. We saw Up! and Night at the Museum 2, I really liked Up, maybe a little less than everyone else in the world, but I'm a hard critic. I didn't really like NATM2, I didn't like the first one--kinda boring. Anyway, the one down side was getting Maizey home, she wasn't happy to be woken up and put into her car seat at 1:30am and then from her car seat to bed. But, she did sleep until 9am today!

Anyway, if you haven't been in a while (or ever), go to the drive-in, it's really fun. We plan to go again this summer FOR SURE!

Maizey thinks it's so funny to be in the car when she's not in her car seat. She gets really hyper. So cute!

This is before the start of the first movie.

On Thursday we went and visited auntie at work. Erika got Maize a whole bunch of cute clothes, I mean really cute, and a new pair of baby Keens. Thanks auntie for always keeping Maizey so stylish!

This is playing in the water area at Redmond Town Center.

She got really wet, but luckily we had a change of clothes!

Heartbroken but Hopeful

2009-06-01T21:30:00.000-07:00

First of all, thank you all so much for your love and condolences. I've gotten a lot of calls, comments, and emails. Ryan and I really appreciate your support.

While I expected to be feeling a little better now, I'm finding that actually this may get a little harder before it gets any easier. I think it's because now I'm really starting to feel what life without Porter is like. I've lost a lot of loved ones in my life and I think one of the hardest parts is that life goes on. You get further and further away from that person (or dog) and what was a very realistic image gets cloudier everyday. I don't want to forget the way Porter smelled or how his skin felt so squishy or the way it felt when he rolled in my freshly washed hair. But, I probably will. For now, Porter is everywhere. His hair is still all over the place. Vacuuming and washing the duvet cover will seem very sad to me. His bowl is still out and it kills me every time I see it. I don't know what to do with his harness or collar. I can't get rid of it. Ryan pooper scooped the yard and I was devastated--over poop! But it's still him and it's all I have left. Ugh. This is hard.

So to the hopeful part...

Maizey is finally feeling better. This has been such a hard week for me. First my mama got sick, then Maizey, then Porter, and I still had to be ready for a really difficult exam today. So, Maizey finally feeling better feels like such a treat. It seems to me that Maizey gets stomach flu for about 7 days--most kids are like 2 days--just my luck. It also seems that, against doctors advice, I have to withhold most food from her when she is sick. Just pretty much applesauce, Pedialyte, Jello, and toast. Anyway, Ryan and I couldn't stop smiling and laughing in her presence tonight. She really is such a little comedienne (you like that??). She did this crazy, fake laugh tonight and when she heard me crack up over it she just kept doing it over and over. This girl can bring me joy like I've never felt before.

I've been thinking about another dog. I know it seems really early. I remember when Reggie died (long story), the lady that ran the adoption agency really urged us to get another puppy right away. Although it may seem disrespectful, I think it's a really positive way to heal. Especially because so many good dogs need homes. The dog we adopted soon after Reggie was Porter. My brain says "WAIT!!!! Don't get a dog right now. Life with one dog is SO easy." You never know what you're going to get and it could make life really difficult. But, the hardest part is watching little Lou be lonely. She's always been with another dog. Many of you know that she is a Hurricane Katrina rescue, when they found her she was *literally* embracing another dog (either her daughter or sister)--whom they named Thelma. I'm sure that parting with Thelma was incredibly difficult, and now Porter must seem even more terrible. She's been through so much and I just want her to feel happy and safe. What's the point of putting this off? I am pretty sure we will be getting another dog eventually. I don't know. We'll see. My heart just feels so sad for her.

Sorry my posts are always so long. I'd love feedback about the dog stuff...

Maizey thought for sure we got her her own bed for the family room.

But actually it's Lou Lou's new bed. Doesn't she look sad?

This girl is all personality. This was because she was mad that I took away her berry smoothie from Costco--actually it was supposed to be mine, but everything is hers and she just lets me borrow it or have some.

Her only serious moment all night.

OMG. That's all I can say. OMG.

She looks so grown up. Yes, that is a HUGE pile of laundry in the background, but I've been REALLY busy.
Cuddling with Lou.
Getting all hyped up for PJ on the new Conan show tonight!!
Do other babies get this filthy after eating? Maizey always rubs her head when she eats. It's so annoying/adorable.

A long video, in our messy bedroom, but you get an idea about Maizey's crazy, fake, new laugh! So cute!

To My Sweet Porter

2009-05-30T13:55:00.001-07:00

Porter~

Saying goodbye to you today was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I remember that the last time I had to say goodbye to a dog was in the 3rd grade, to Charlie, who looked a lot like you. I went to school and I was so upset that my teacher recommended that I write him a letter. I did and I felt much better. So here is my letter to you, my sweet sweet boy.

I'm sorry you were in so much pain today. I can't imagine what it must have felt like to have to fight so hard for every breath. You were so brave. I feel lucky that, until this morning, you were doing so well. I feel lucky that we gave you a lot of treats this morning. I feel lucky that we had so much fun playing in the yard on Thursday. I feel really lucky that, despite what all the vets predicted, you lived for 3 whole years after your chemotherapy. I feel very sorry that we couldn't take you swimming or for walks for the last few months because it was so hard on your body. But, our last walk through the trails and playing in the creek at McCollum Park will be a favorite memory.

You've only been gone a few short hours, and already life feels a little unrecognizable. The silence in the house without you here is deafening. You were such an integral part of this family. I was making a sandwich this afternoon and I was waiting for you to run up to me so that I could give you cheese--maybe your favorite food. I tiptoed into the room where Maizey was sleeping and I didn't hear the thumping of your tail. We took Louise outside to play and the yard felt so empty. Someone rang the doorbell and there was silence--not your protective bark. That someone was delivering flowers to us, because we lost you.

I want you to know that you had the whole vet's office in tears this afternoon. They must have remembered the time that they took you back to cut your nails and it took 5 people to hold you down, and somehow you managed to snap the bra off of one of the techs--you silly boy. I am devastated, and so is daddy. Maizey doesn't know it yet, but she will someday. I am worried about Louise and Allie. They both loved you so much. We are giving Lou some holistic anti-anxiety dog meds, I'm hoping that will help minimize the grief that she already so obviously feels. We're going to get her a new bed today, so she can snuggle up and think about you.

You were such a good dog, Bubba. You brought us so much joy in your short 9 years. I hope that wherever you are right now has lots of cheese. I hope there is a big lake, full of big rocks for you to dig up. I hope that someone is throwing you a stick in the water so many times that you will sleep for days after. I hope that you get to tuck in the snow. I hope there are squirrels and birds to chase. I hope there are houses for you to protect and cars with the windows down for you to stick your head out and smell the air and let your ears flap in the wind.

I miss you so much. I will always miss you. Today, when I came to see you, you were panting so hard. They couldn't do anything to get your airway to reopen. I held your face in my hands and put my head on your head, and for just a moment you relaxed. I know you loved me as much as I loved you. Daddy said that right before you passed away, your breathing got back to normal for about 20seconds and that you peacefully fell asleep in his arms. I'm glad that you are at peace. I love you.

Christmas 2007
Summer 2005 Port Townsend with your best friend Cash. November 2006.Maizey's 1st BirthdayThis morning. Getting all your treats.
Cuddling with Maizey this morning.Maizey being incredibly patient at the vet's office today while daddy was saying goodbye.

I want my babybackbabybackbabyback...

2009-05-25T18:21:00.000-07:00

So, you're wondering, where do you want your baby back from? I want her back from the rotavirus. I miss her sweet, silly, and sometimes crazy demeanor. I'm sick of changing devil-diapers--anyone whose had a baby with the rotavirus knows what I mean. I'm so over having the people I love be sick. My mom finished her last day of chemo, we were all so excited, but the very next day we were in the ER, where she was diagnosed with pneumonia. It was a major bummer, but I think she is on the mend now. I also think Maizey is on the mend after a tough 36hours that felt more like 36days. We spent a good five hours in the ER at Children's in the wee hours this morning. Luckily, they weren't very busy. We got back in about 10mins. *Note to self, only go to the ER at 4am, it's never busy! I know this from my personal experience and from the days when I worked in the ER. Also, to all you moms out there. If you live anywhere near to Children's and you ever have to take your child to the ER, go there! It's SOSOSO worth it. Maizey had to get an IV and I can guarantee that it would have been a lot more traumatizing to her if we'd gone anywhere else. They're the best there. It's totally worth the extra 30minute drive! Plus, you can go to Uvillage on the way home--always a plus!! Anyway, after a couple of hours on the IV and getting a catheter (she hadn't really peed in close to 24hours 'cause she was so dehydrated), we went home and Maizey slept most of the day and seemed to perk up tonight. Thank you Jesus. Here are some photos I got of me sad sad girl (I took them on my phone, I wasn't so insensitive that I actually brought my camera to the ER).

Getting ready for the IV. They put warm packs on her to get the veins to vasodilate (are you so impressed with my mad physiology skillz??).

Walking out of the ER. Her face was swollen from screaming/crying so hard. Her stomach was cramping really bad and I've never heard her wail like she did to day. Needless to say, I think I made the doc a little uncomfortable when I started crying with her. Ugh, I could cry just thinking about it!

So, on a happier note. We had a long, fabulous Memorial Day weekend at the cabin in Tahuya with my family (minus the pneumonia)! Maizey and I went to my parents house on Wednesday night, helped my mom buy the entire bath/bedding section of Macy's and ate at the Rainforest Cafe (thank you dad). Maizey loved the cafe, especially the gorillas, which seem like they would frighten most kiddos--I guess she takes after her mama with her love of apes! Then, Thursday morning we headed up to the Cabin with my mom. Ryan stayed home for the weekend to get some stuff done around the house. We had a great time playing with cousin Harper, Maizey went for her first kayak ride, and played on the air mattress in Erika's tent (I called it baby catnip because Maizey got really lovey dovey and silly in there--probably lack of oxygen)! It was in that tent that Maizey started giving kisses for the first time, and it hasn't stopped. She will just go from person to person giving kisses, it's adorable, and a really effective way to spread rotavirus (luckily none of us have come down with it so far)!! Anyway, here are some photos from our cabin adventure (mostly courtesy of auntie).

Rainforest Cafe with Grammy

This giant frog scared her more than anything!The girls in the pool in the backyard at the cabin.

Maizey's first time in the canal. All she wanted to do was eat rocks...

Such a little thing in such a big place.

This is in the tent. Notice my mom in a wool sweater with a wool blanket? It must have been 80degrees in that tent and she was still freezing (because she had a fever). We found out that night that she had pneumonia!

My dad is rad.

Pretty girl, lunching.

Kayaking. I assure you I only took off her life jacket when we were very shallow.

I think I wore this same lifejacket, but I know I was this miserable. Retro. Before they started making life jackets that were comfortable.A wildlife sampling. A bald eagle, a heron, little birds, and seagulls. All right in front of the cabin.

Maizey's favorite thing to do is cross the threshold and go from outside to in and vice versa. It's a little schizophrenic.

Another night, doing the same thing.
She LOVES this little slide in the pool!

Look at those teeth. Big girl.

Little cousin Harper in her yellow hat.
Maizey and auntie. Everyone thinks Maize looks just like auntie.

Stealing food from her little cousin.
Upside down kisses from mama.

Playing in Dry Creek. Actually, I don't think she was playing so much as protesting. It was REALLY cold!

Hanging out in my trunk.

I came home early from the cabin so that we could spend a day doing something fun with daddy. We decided to go to the zoo. We had a really great time, I even ran into a friend from high school (Marcy Chartier) and her daughter! Maizey liked the petting zoo best!

Chickens!

A self-portrait. Maizey looks miserable. She was really tired, and may have been starting to get sick.

She really wanted to break these locks open and free the bunnies. My little future Greenpeace activist.

The goats.

Petting the Kinder goats.

I'm sure I was saying "baaaaaahhhh" in this photo, you just can't see. We spent a lot of time discussing animal noises that day.

I LOVE these panda cows, so did Maizey and Ryan. I want one.

Maizey passed out in daddy's arms. She never does this. Lucky for dad.

Okay, this is probably the least exciting video ever, but the only other one Ryan took was like 2.5mins long and I've been trying to upload it since Monday and I can't, I think it's way too long. It was really cute of Maizey running from goat to goat. You'll just have to watch this and imagine how much better the other video was.

Phew, I'm done. This always takes forever. Maybe I should update more and then my posts would be shorter and quicker to do. I gotta go study now. I was supposed to take a test today, but put it off since Maizey was so sick. Now, I have to take it tomorrow and I haven't studied near enough. Wish me luck!

Oh, and a couple more...

2009-05-18T07:14:00.000-07:00

These are my new favorite pics of Maizey! Auntie Erika took them last week.

I just love her little body. This is her teething face, she's getting molars. Poor baby.

She's too cute to look at.