a blog post to a blog....
Check out www.brittanilouise.com to see a feature on Scout! Thanks again, Mrs. O for taking such amazing pictures of our little ham!
How to keep a dog off the couch:
Pile a bunch of pillows, laptops, books, baby toys ontop of couch...no room for doggy!
Next up: How to keep a dog off the chair....
And now for the collective "ahhhh!"
What a productive weekend! Ahhh! Feels GOOD! Jay and I FINALLY got the garage cleaned out and allllll of the holiday decorations are now back in their rightful places in the attic. Geez, it only took us four months? When I started work on our garage, I could barely move around b/c of all of the bikes, strollers and other baby goods, boxes of decorations and baby clothes, and leftovers from replacing our floors. Finally, though, you could park our car in the garage! And everything is ORGANIZED. AND the dreadful old carpet has been hauled away! Now to tackle that pile of clean laundry on my bed....
The fabulous Brittani Louise is at it again!!!
Click here to see Baby's 12 month pics!
Thanks britt, those pics of her in the grass were exactly what I was picturing in my head....and the way you caught all of her little expressions and funny personality...is priceless. You cannot put any sort of value on pictures like these!
Thanks britt, those pics of her in the grass were exactly what I was picturing in my head....and the way you caught all of her little expressions and funny personality...is priceless. You cannot put any sort of value on pictures like these!
No blizzards here....
Mom and dad are experiencing blizzard conditions, and we are basking in the 80-degree sun! Hard to believe we live in the same state. Though we aren't having any crazy weather at the moment, earlier this week, the aTx did get some crazy hail. Most of everyone I know now has a dented car, at the least. Some people lost entire windshields and will be getting new rooftops on their houses.
Freaky weather!
Check out our friend's Jetta:
Some info here and there....
Lots of things going on...spring has sprung! With the first day of Spring, we celebrated my brother's birthday. We also celebrated the arrival of pollen! My allergies have once again been fully affected. I didn't have any problem with them while I was pregnant/nursing...I wonder why that is? But here I am, all stuffy, watery-eyed and itchy-mouthed. The grass is starting to turn green, trees and flowers are blooming and Austin-ites are consuming local honey at new rates. :D The only thing I hate worse than the cedar is....SPIDERS! The first of our 8-legged friends made his appearance on our porch last night when I arrived home with arms full of groceries. Ick. Already!?
Scooty is growing, growing, growing. We've FINALLY made the switch to "people food." She is currently enjoying some Cheerios and raisins for her morning snack. We celebrated her 13 month with a Little Einstein's Scooter. We were so shocked when she knew EXACTLY how to make it move. I love watching her play, especially the older she gets. You can really see her mind cranking!
March was the month of weddings, and we are finally settling back into a routine. Congrats to Chris and Sarah, Laura and Brad, and Lori and Anthony! Here's a pic of E and myself after Laura and Brad's nuptials.
March in Austin also means South By Southwest was in town. Jay got to take in some new music at the Don't Mess With Texas Fest in Waterloo Park on Saturday. While he was doing that, my bro (D) and I enjoyed an Austin City Limits taping with Ben Harper and the Relentless7. I'll let you know the airdate and you should all watch, b/c I'm sure we'll be on television, dancing up a storm (front row, baby!).
Also, in blog-news...I've uploaded some of my OLLLLLLD blogs from good ol' myspace onto this blog. You can check them out in 2005 and there's more on up into 2006/2007.
Happy Spring!
Things to do:
Realize what you did wrong.
Take responsibility for your actions.
Accept the punishment for wrong actions.
Seek heartfelt forgiveness.
Rinse and do not repeat.
We learned a valuable lesson today....
When one hears baby quietly playing in room, content with being alone....check on baby. Baby may have found brand new bag of 500 wipes and MIGHT be emptying them on her bedroom floor.
You might then have to learn how to put 500 wipes back in a resealable bag.
OR part with said wipes.
oh....yeah....
ME: I get real frustrated how when sometimes I push the "on" button for the tv in the living room and the cable doesn't come on. then i can push the button "off' and then back "on" five times and it finally comes on. why is that?
J: That remote is kinda funky. I need to set up the good remote with our new cable.
ME: but it works every time in the bedroom. just not here. annoying.
J: IT’s because HDMI has a delay in the switching-the other remote will fix it. Trust me, little tech novice.
ME: you make me giggle.
Just an ordinary update.
Lots has been happening here at the house, and other places too, hence the lack of an update. In the past two weeks, we've been to two amazing weddings, thrown a bachelorette slumber party at our house, had 12 hour work projects due over the weekend, gone to an Austin Aztec soccer game, gotten 1 year pictures made for Scooty, had two sleepovers at cousin D's house, one sleepover at Mim's house, and there's another wedding this weekend that A is making an appearance as the matron-of-honor.
Baby has been in the mood for playing dress-up lately. One of her favorite activities during the day is to bring me shirts or pants from her hamper and motion for me to put them on her. She also likes to carry around a clutch purse of mommy's and put on headbands. Be afraid, be very afraid.
The adults of the casa have scheduled a retreat in May. I will be visiting Las Vegas for the first time in my life, and J couldn't be more excited to take me there. We will be there for a couple of days and then we are flying out to Seattle where we will hang out on top of the Whole Foods, walk to Pike Street Market, and check out the EMP (Experience Music Project). THEN, on the last four days of our trip, we are heading to Sasquatch Festival! We are so excited. We haven't had a vacation like this since our honeymoon in Switzerland.
We are recommending Orbitz right now b/c their hotels are 20% off when you book your airfare. Or something like that. :D
A shopping list:
Floor cleaner for laminate floors (recommendations welcome)
Shoes to wear in next week's wedding (silver, with heel that won't sink into mud)
Bachelorette party gift (something PG rated)
Wedding gift (something off registry?)
Wedding outfit (probably pants, due to clumsiness and dry skin)
Last-minute-babysitter-in-a-bottle (HELP!!!)
Shoes to wear in next week's wedding (silver, with heel that won't sink into mud)
Bachelorette party gift (something PG rated)
Wedding gift (something off registry?)
Wedding outfit (probably pants, due to clumsiness and dry skin)
Last-minute-babysitter-in-a-bottle (HELP!!!)
Tinted Windows!!
My teenage dreams have come true...
Taylor Hanson once again has a musical career. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmbop indeed.
Hard day's night? No, just a hard night.
Let me be the first to say, nothing throws a SAHM off like 3 months of sleeping through the night interrupted by one night of shrill baby-crying for an hour, followed by an early morning. Catch all that?
Here's a translation for you in layman's terms: Scooty was up from 12-1 last night, screaming her tiny heart out and woke up at six this morning, fresh as a cucumber!
Everyone has hard nights, and this was certainly not our first. But man, it made me rethink my whole "we got this" attitude that I've been sporting around for the last three months. Even at her 1st birthday party, I felt more "with it" than I felt last night at 11:47. I made J get up with me, I was so out of it. I've never done that. In a year of parenthood, it's always been "you get up, or I do." Unless something was terribly wrong...which I can't recall a time before last night...he's always been afforded the luxury of staying asleep or only being on "binky duty." Not that this means he's been getting more sleep than I have, b/c as we all know, that's not always the case.
Well, my point of this whole thing is: baby is not ready to give up her bottle at night, yet. How did you moms handle this transition? I'm at a loss. I folded last night, after an hour of screaming and clawing her way out of the crib, diaper changing, rocking, restarting the lullaby cd, cuddling with mom, ibuprofen and a drink from the sippy cup...I fed her a bottle.
I just realized that again, I have no idea what I'm doing.
And on another note, why did we stay up until 11 o'clock watching Encino Man?
And on another "related" note, you only care about three things: Nugs, chillin' and grindage.
The end.
Nadya business
As you undoubtedly know, there have been TONS of opinions stated on numerous blogs (and news sites and at Tupperware parties and at the water cooler and in the break room and....) concerning the infamous Nadya Suleman...or as she is better known now: "Octomom."
As it as been stated elsewhere...it is reeeeeeally easy to be hypocritical and judgmental as to this woman's choices for conceiving her 14 children. Certainly, I would not wish to be in her shoes. She has a long and daunting future ahead of her and I must say, it takes a strong woman to defend her circumstances under all of the pressure of raising those kids...not to mention outside pressure from the media, her community and society in general.
It has been especially hard for J and I to cast any sort of opinion or views of our own on this woman. If you think she's crazy, maybe you think we are too. J and I had desires to start a family almost immediately after getting married. We were married in August, and certainly by Christmas...or Thanksgiving, we were starting to plan for "trying." After a couple of months of heartbreaking moments with pregnancy tests, I decided that something was probably wrong and I needed to go see my GYN. After getting blood work done, I received a call saying that we needed to go see a fertility specialist because I was not having a complete cycle every 30 days and this needed to be remedied before we could actively conceive.
I went through a battery of tests, and it turned out that all I needed to do was to take a pill (Clomid) that would "jumpstart" my reproductive organs and give me a cycle. We were made aware of the side effects of such treatment, including the chance of multiple births. Well, needless to say, Clomid worked the first time for us, and with no real side effects (other than drowsiness and a little nausea). Even something as simple as the treatment plan that we were prescribed can have unintended results and known risks.
I think there is some weight to what people are saying about the doctor in Suleman's case. He should hold some responsibility for the outcome of Suleman's treatment. But have him provide any kind of support to her and the children now? That's just kind of silly, isn't it?
This is one of those areas that are not black and white; it is a total grey area. If you cast opinions and judgments on one part of it, you are casting those same opinions on the whole of it. I hope that society's opinions of IVF, IUI and other fertility treatments are not affected after this, but fear that they may be. I hope that this doesn't make it hard for women and/or couples to seek any kind of fertility treatment for fear of being judged or thought of as nutty.
You were born on a Wednesday.
As I watch you explore your surroundings with your new-found sense of confidence, my heart beams with pride. But sadly, every night when I put you to bed, I realize that you are growing up. And that tomorrow, you'll be a day bigger and a day more independent. You'll eventually need me less and one day, you'll be embarrassed by the kisses I so freely give to your forehead and cheeks.
But today, you are only ONE. You are one. I have to pinch myself! I can't believe how quickly the year has gone by! One year ago today, you were a puffy-faced 8 lb. 13.4 oz newborn. Now you are a 22 pounder, verging on toddlerhood.
It's no surprise your first word/syllable was "Da-da." From the minute you were born, you could follow his voice through a room. At first, you were a mama's babe. But, in the last 6 months, you have developed a ridiculously adorable bond with your daddy. You follow him to the door each morning, and every day starting at 5:00 pm (sometimes earlier), you ask for him repeatedly.
You are our little athlete...you love to pick up, bounce and chase balls. Your dad's dream came true when you dribbled a toy with both feet the other day (maybe it was coincidence, but, hey...). You can crawl and climb over anything. You were an early walker...and your "crawling" left us all in stitches. You came into this world wide-eyed and observant; like a little sponge who had heard all about this wonderful place and the people who live in it, and wanted to learn more.
Your favorite things are baby dolls, books, bathtime and binkies. I like to think that you are so sweet to your babies because I have been so sweet to you. You love our puppies, and spend 50 percent of your day playing with them through the window or in person. You love to be outside.
You have three teeth and thick blonde hair, a sweet pouty lip, cheeks to die for and big, beautiful, blue eyes.
You have changed our lives, filled our hearts, kept us on our toes and wrapped us around your little finger.
Happy Birthday, Baby.
A Very Happy V-day.
Happy belated Valentine's day everybody!
We had an awesome V-day, for the very first time. It's not that we haven't tried before (in previous relationships and previous Feb. 14's with eachother....), but this one actually worked out. Our first Valentine's Day together, I was absolutely ill. I had whatever was going around the office that "winter" and had actually gone home from work and climbed in bed and gone to sleep. J woke me up with an amazing dinner and a nice potted mum, but I was too sick to even enjoy it. When ya can't even smell the flowers or taste the food, it's kind of a buzz kill. After our lovely dinner, I sent him packing and went back to sleep with a green dragon (nyquil) cocktail.
The next year, we were in the midst of buying our house and were completely freaked about spending money. I managed to get J a card, and he hand-made me the cutest card ever (as a total after-thought, but whatever).
The next year, I was overdue with baby S. So, nothing kills the romance like swollen feet and false labor.
THIS YEAR, though. J really outdid himself. He arranged for a sitter (thanks mom and A!), had fancy dinner reservations, booked a hotel stay, and took me to a movie and shopping! It was a day full of my favorite things, and I couldn't have been more surprised. To cap it all off, we met up with friends downtown after dinner and stayed out late like we were just a young couple again.
It's safe to say, this V-day is good for another three years. ;)
Awkward.....
So I recently have come to grips with SAHM-ness. I denied it for almost a full year, but you know what? I am a stay-at-home-mom. I think the thing that solidified it for me has been my enjoyment of morning t.v. programs like GMA, Today, The View, and my favorite, Ellen.
I just have one problem. Is anyone else a little freaked by the mandatory dance-off at the beginning of every Ellen show? Now, I'm as big-of-a-fan of crazy flailing of arms and kicking of feet and snapping and clapping (also known as awkward dancing) as anybody...but, man. It almost gives me a bit of anxiety during this part of the show.
eh, not like it's going to keep me from watching and enjoying.
I just have one problem. Is anyone else a little freaked by the mandatory dance-off at the beginning of every Ellen show? Now, I'm as big-of-a-fan of crazy flailing of arms and kicking of feet and snapping and clapping (also known as awkward dancing) as anybody...but, man. It almost gives me a bit of anxiety during this part of the show.
eh, not like it's going to keep me from watching and enjoying.
the past 7 days
In the past seven days, we've celebrated an 80th birthday, kicked back and went out with dear friends, tried the coconut ceviche (ooommmmmmggggg), did a week's-worth of grocery shopping, definitely got our walking skills down, contracted THREE colds, took some time off to recover, bought new floors (yipppeeee!), installed them ourselves, saw a grrrrrrrreat movie with some awesome friends, and caught up on some Jericho.
What did you do?
What did you do?
man....
Nothing makes you feel MORE out of shape than getting an email from Vicki Secrets advertising their swimsuit sale....in JANUARY. Thanks a lot honey, but I'm SOOOO not there yet. When do I get to stop using "I just had a baby" as my excuse?? Next month? eegahds. I better get to work.
HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYBODY!!!
HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYBODY!!!
Forgive the baby talk...I really want to stop. I really do.
She just gets so excited when I talk to her in a high-pitched voice! Maybe it's excitement or maybe it's anxiety. Or maybe it's just bouncy houses that make us revert to our squealing 7 yr. old selves! Either way...here's a vid of the baby at Cousin D's 4th bday party! What fun we had!
On the Eve of Change....
Growing up a young WASP in Texas, I always had desires and dreams to live in a different time, in a different place. I wanted to live in Elizabethan days, to experience the dress, the traditions and the lifestyle. I wanted to live in the 1920s to drive one of the first cars. I wanted to live in the 1960s to experience having a television for the first time. I wanted to live in the 1970s to see what life was like during the "flower power" movement.
For one of the first times, I'm excited to live in the day that I do. What a world to live in and what a time to live in it. Great change is on the horizon...not only for tomorrow, but for the 4 years to come.
I am hopeful for our economy. I am hopeful for our troops. I am hopeful for our country. I am hopeful for the rights of my neighbors and friends. I am hopeful for my daughter's future.
For one of the first times, I'm excited to live in the day that I do. What a world to live in and what a time to live in it. Great change is on the horizon...not only for tomorrow, but for the 4 years to come.
I am hopeful for our economy. I am hopeful for our troops. I am hopeful for our country. I am hopeful for the rights of my neighbors and friends. I am hopeful for my daughter's future.
an unintended use of a 26 (and a half) year old...
So here's some things I've found myself doing lately, that I probably shouldn't...because I'm probably supposed to be "past that phase."
1. saying things like "don't front."
2. staying up late to play video games (and actually doing a pretty good job)
3. learning to play golf (i really am not good...but it's still fun...really.)
4. dancing to Mix-XM songs while driving down the road
5. drinking Sparks (tho sadly, it is out of production)
6. Learning to ride a bike (again)
1. saying things like "don't front."
2. staying up late to play video games (and actually doing a pretty good job)
3. learning to play golf (i really am not good...but it's still fun...really.)
4. dancing to Mix-XM songs while driving down the road
5. drinking Sparks (tho sadly, it is out of production)
6. Learning to ride a bike (again)
I just have to say it.
I LOVE the new Kleenex ads. Freakin' love.
Touch. Touch. Touch. Touch. FEEL.
Isn't that the truth? When I see those commercials, I stop. I was having one of those moments (like in the commercial) where you are running around the house, putting up toys and cleaning stains from the carpet and avoiding getting pooped on, peed on or puked on (the three deadly P's)...when I saw that commercial. I laughed, I related and later in my day, I talked about the ad.
Then, tonight, I'm sitting in my chair...watching American Idol on my DVR and flipping through my Parents magazine...when bang! It happens again...I see an ad in print...with pics of lots of things I would want to touch (and the word "touch") and then I turn the page. OMG. There's an ACTUAL Kleenex in the magazine with the word "FEEL."
And I did.
But it's not only about the ad. This commercial reminds me to stop being so BUSY. Take time and smell the roses. Touch the soft tissue. Smell your baby's sweet smelling hair. Kiss the hubby. Pet the puppy.
Then, get back to your cleaning. Those stains won't remove themselves, ya know.
Touch. Touch. Touch. Touch. FEEL.
Isn't that the truth? When I see those commercials, I stop. I was having one of those moments (like in the commercial) where you are running around the house, putting up toys and cleaning stains from the carpet and avoiding getting pooped on, peed on or puked on (the three deadly P's)...when I saw that commercial. I laughed, I related and later in my day, I talked about the ad.
Then, tonight, I'm sitting in my chair...watching American Idol on my DVR and flipping through my Parents magazine...when bang! It happens again...I see an ad in print...with pics of lots of things I would want to touch (and the word "touch") and then I turn the page. OMG. There's an ACTUAL Kleenex in the magazine with the word "FEEL."
And I did.
But it's not only about the ad. This commercial reminds me to stop being so BUSY. Take time and smell the roses. Touch the soft tissue. Smell your baby's sweet smelling hair. Kiss the hubby. Pet the puppy.
Then, get back to your cleaning. Those stains won't remove themselves, ya know.
Why we don't eat (most) meat.
As I'm sitting here with S, watching BBQ Paradise on the Travel channel...I have to admit to myself....a big plate of barbecue sounds pretty good right about now. But then I have to remind myself it's only 9 in the morning and I've not eaten any beef, pork or chicken in almost 8 months (besides that one slip-up on Christmas Eve...).
A lot of our friends and most of our family are avid meat-eaters...so why would we choose to give up the meat? For goodness sake, my family raises cattle and we live in TEXAS. Some people "go veg" for political reasons, or for religious reason, and some give it up for social reasons. High cholesterol runs in my family. In fact, several members of my family have been told to consume red meat only once per week, if that. So how about health reasons? Studies have shown that vegetarians have a lower rate of coronary artery disease, hypertension, obesity, and cancer.
J was raised vegetarian. I gave up meat for Lent in college. J doesn't like handling red meat and I gag at the thought of handling chicken or any other birds. We noticed that the times we enjoyed cooking the most were usually when meat was not involved. Also, when we went on a vegetarian diet, we would feel lighter and have more energy. We had friends who were vegetarian or vegan, and of course, J's parents don't eat meat. So, when we would eat with these people, it was easier to cook meals that didn't involve meat.
Being vegetarian has led to some surprising benefits. We get a kick out of knowing that our knives have only been used for slicing veggies, tofu or Quorn. In the Austin area, it is a lot easier to live this lifestyle. There are vegetarian restaurants, bakers, and grocery stores (or at least large sections in certain grocery stores).
We do still eat fish occasionally, and still eat dairy products and eggs...because it is easier to eat at a restaurant that way. We don't want to completely inconvenience friends and family who do still eat meat. Being a vegetarian doesn't have to mean eating salads and side-items only. That's not to say that we don't still think meat looks good. Because at this stage, it still does have an appeal. The thing is, we can't bring ourselves to actually eat it. You're crazy if BBQ doesn't still look good on paper, or if you think we don't have cravings for hamburgers or tacos.
This has raised the question of "what about baby S? Will she be allowed to eat meat?" Our take on this is...there are still a lot of healthy options for vegetarian babies and as long as it makes sense for us to keep her on a veg diet, we are going to do that. Of course, if when she gets older and can form her own opinions...if she wants meat, she can have it...just probably not in our house. But who's to say we'll still feel that way in ten years. For now, this is what works for us.
Fin.
A lot of our friends and most of our family are avid meat-eaters...so why would we choose to give up the meat? For goodness sake, my family raises cattle and we live in TEXAS. Some people "go veg" for political reasons, or for religious reason, and some give it up for social reasons. High cholesterol runs in my family. In fact, several members of my family have been told to consume red meat only once per week, if that. So how about health reasons? Studies have shown that vegetarians have a lower rate of coronary artery disease, hypertension, obesity, and cancer.
J was raised vegetarian. I gave up meat for Lent in college. J doesn't like handling red meat and I gag at the thought of handling chicken or any other birds. We noticed that the times we enjoyed cooking the most were usually when meat was not involved. Also, when we went on a vegetarian diet, we would feel lighter and have more energy. We had friends who were vegetarian or vegan, and of course, J's parents don't eat meat. So, when we would eat with these people, it was easier to cook meals that didn't involve meat.
Being vegetarian has led to some surprising benefits. We get a kick out of knowing that our knives have only been used for slicing veggies, tofu or Quorn. In the Austin area, it is a lot easier to live this lifestyle. There are vegetarian restaurants, bakers, and grocery stores (or at least large sections in certain grocery stores).
We do still eat fish occasionally, and still eat dairy products and eggs...because it is easier to eat at a restaurant that way. We don't want to completely inconvenience friends and family who do still eat meat. Being a vegetarian doesn't have to mean eating salads and side-items only. That's not to say that we don't still think meat looks good. Because at this stage, it still does have an appeal. The thing is, we can't bring ourselves to actually eat it. You're crazy if BBQ doesn't still look good on paper, or if you think we don't have cravings for hamburgers or tacos.
This has raised the question of "what about baby S? Will she be allowed to eat meat?" Our take on this is...there are still a lot of healthy options for vegetarian babies and as long as it makes sense for us to keep her on a veg diet, we are going to do that. Of course, if when she gets older and can form her own opinions...if she wants meat, she can have it...just probably not in our house. But who's to say we'll still feel that way in ten years. For now, this is what works for us.
Fin.
The importance of routines, binkies, and lullabies
Finally, after the Christmas holiday travel and the New Year's Eve debacle, we are back into a routine. It only took five days...but man, those were loooooong days. We definitely were not ready for J to go back to the office on Monday.
But now, we are back to our four squares and two naps a day, and it is pure bliss. S is finally sleeping through the night again. In fact, this morning when she woke up, a disoriented mom thought it was 2 or 3 in the morning...and sent dad to go soothe her with a binky....yeah.
Speaking of binkies, man...our kid loves hers. In fact, it's usually somewhere in this developmental stage that babies form attachments to certain things. Often times, it's a blanket or a stuffed animal or something. But what has Miss S chosen for hers? Why...another binky, of course. Putting her to bed or down for a nap without a binky in the kisser and binky in her hand is like walking out of the front door without pants on.
Her lullabies are almost as important. Since she was in the womb, we've always let her listen to music and it still has a tremendous soothing effect on her. Our house has also been filled with the sound of a heartbeat noise-maker since she was born. That with the scent of lavender and vanilla, our house is a basic 24/7 cocoon.
Speaking of...zzzzzzzzzzzz
But now, we are back to our four squares and two naps a day, and it is pure bliss. S is finally sleeping through the night again. In fact, this morning when she woke up, a disoriented mom thought it was 2 or 3 in the morning...and sent dad to go soothe her with a binky....yeah.
Speaking of binkies, man...our kid loves hers. In fact, it's usually somewhere in this developmental stage that babies form attachments to certain things. Often times, it's a blanket or a stuffed animal or something. But what has Miss S chosen for hers? Why...another binky, of course. Putting her to bed or down for a nap without a binky in the kisser and binky in her hand is like walking out of the front door without pants on.
Her lullabies are almost as important. Since she was in the womb, we've always let her listen to music and it still has a tremendous soothing effect on her. Our house has also been filled with the sound of a heartbeat noise-maker since she was born. That with the scent of lavender and vanilla, our house is a basic 24/7 cocoon.
Speaking of...zzzzzzzzzzzz
A new year in the "big city"
We rocked-in 2009 with some Rockband 2 and maybe a little champagne....and the neighbor's fireworks/loud music/bonfire/partying until 2 a.m. (*ahem* thanks *ahem* neighbors!).
I also worked on my knitting. Did I mention I'm trying to learn to knit? It's really just so I can impress my grandmother...who is like...the QUEEN of knitting. I took pictures of E's Christmas gift...which was an awesome "no-knit" scarf that I made myself the week before Christmas. :D
J bought an awesome 80's metal guitar with his Christmas cash...and walked around the house making Gene Simmons' faces and throwing up his classic rock hand gestures.
I've written and rewritten this post nine times.
I have this little belief that you can tell how your year was by looking at your bank account, your photos and (recently) your twitter or social networking site of your choice. Since some of that is privileged information, I wrote a post earlier with pictures from every month. I can describe that to you in one word: "baby." It was definitely the year of the baby for us here at the H house. In January I was 8 months pregnant. In February, S was born. And from there to the end of the year, we were documenting milestones...baby's first laugh, baby's first Easter, baby's first tummy time, baby's first rolling over, baby's first road trip, baby's first July 4th, baby's first solid food, baby's first crawl, baby's first stand-up, baby's first Halloween, baby's first Thanksgiving, baby's first Christmas, baby's first snow...etc.
I have another little belief that you can tell how your year is going to be by looking at how you spend New Year's Day. Our day was spent with our little family. We worked on hobbies, cleaned the house, danced in the living room, played all day, rested when it was needed, and then I capped off the evening with dinner and a lot of good conversation with E. We talked about our year and where we are now in our marriages, our friendships, our families, and where we want to go in the next year. We talked about our long term goals, we laughed at stories we hadn't told each other, we cried over memories and achievements. It was a good day, full of normal every-day activities and a few extraordinary moments; and I expect nothing more of the year to come.
Willkommen 2009. Willkommen.
I also worked on my knitting. Did I mention I'm trying to learn to knit? It's really just so I can impress my grandmother...who is like...the QUEEN of knitting. I took pictures of E's Christmas gift...which was an awesome "no-knit" scarf that I made myself the week before Christmas. :D
J bought an awesome 80's metal guitar with his Christmas cash...and walked around the house making Gene Simmons' faces and throwing up his classic rock hand gestures.
I've written and rewritten this post nine times.
I have this little belief that you can tell how your year was by looking at your bank account, your photos and (recently) your twitter or social networking site of your choice. Since some of that is privileged information, I wrote a post earlier with pictures from every month. I can describe that to you in one word: "baby." It was definitely the year of the baby for us here at the H house. In January I was 8 months pregnant. In February, S was born. And from there to the end of the year, we were documenting milestones...baby's first laugh, baby's first Easter, baby's first tummy time, baby's first rolling over, baby's first road trip, baby's first July 4th, baby's first solid food, baby's first crawl, baby's first stand-up, baby's first Halloween, baby's first Thanksgiving, baby's first Christmas, baby's first snow...etc.
I have another little belief that you can tell how your year is going to be by looking at how you spend New Year's Day. Our day was spent with our little family. We worked on hobbies, cleaned the house, danced in the living room, played all day, rested when it was needed, and then I capped off the evening with dinner and a lot of good conversation with E. We talked about our year and where we are now in our marriages, our friendships, our families, and where we want to go in the next year. We talked about our long term goals, we laughed at stories we hadn't told each other, we cried over memories and achievements. It was a good day, full of normal every-day activities and a few extraordinary moments; and I expect nothing more of the year to come.
Willkommen 2009. Willkommen.
Friendship after baby
My circle of friends ebbs and flows like....well, like my weight. And after having Scout, it has been no mystery that I've found myself busy with an influx of friend activities one week, and then completely solitary the next. It's not something I expected, but something that I've come to accept, like the stretchmarks that now brand my body.
There are so many different ways your life changes after having a baby (good and not so good)...and, I wanted to share a little of my experience in THIS department. I've always been a private person...and there are probably 3 people in the world that I know that I can talk to about ANYTHING. I like to be alone some days and I like to be surrounded by people on other days.
I don't think I'm the BEST friend of many. In fact, it's always been hard for me to make friends, for various different reasons. Since getting pregnant with Scout, I think I've found that I've not had time or energy to make new friends, but have really solidified and revisited some of my older friendships.
Most of our friends knew we were trying to get pregnant for the nine months before we actually conceived. So it didn't come as "that much" of a shock when we announced that we were expecting. What we didn't expect were the cheers of joy mixed with the "aw man, now we can't hang out/party/have play dates/go out as much."
It's not just my friendships that have changed, it's also J's. J hasn't played soccer since late in my pregnancy (something he's done since he could walk). He literally goes to work, comes home and is a daddy and a husband to us and doesn't really have time for himself. Granted, he could choose to make some time, but he would rather spend time with us than without us (most days--haha).
Recently, I've really tried to strengthen friendships and learn new things to help me with my own sense of self. Yes, I am a mother...but that's not all that I have to offer. I devote myself 99.9% to my family...which leaves me .1% to do activities that I enjoy by myself or with friends (girl's nights, shopping, golf, crafting, movie night...etc). This in turn makes me feel better about myself. And if I feel better, that trickles down to my relationship with my husband and my daughter.
So, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the friends I have for understanding that my world has been rocked in the last 19 months. I'd like to thank my friends for being patient, dropping by the house (when it's easier), helping me keep my sanity, introducing me to new activities, and getting me out of the house when I need it the most. You guys are the best and I love you for it!
Edit: Here's an awesome clip from a friend of mine. Thanks Mrs. H! :D
There are so many different ways your life changes after having a baby (good and not so good)...and, I wanted to share a little of my experience in THIS department. I've always been a private person...and there are probably 3 people in the world that I know that I can talk to about ANYTHING. I like to be alone some days and I like to be surrounded by people on other days.
I don't think I'm the BEST friend of many. In fact, it's always been hard for me to make friends, for various different reasons. Since getting pregnant with Scout, I think I've found that I've not had time or energy to make new friends, but have really solidified and revisited some of my older friendships.
Most of our friends knew we were trying to get pregnant for the nine months before we actually conceived. So it didn't come as "that much" of a shock when we announced that we were expecting. What we didn't expect were the cheers of joy mixed with the "aw man, now we can't hang out/party/have play dates/go out as much."
It's not just my friendships that have changed, it's also J's. J hasn't played soccer since late in my pregnancy (something he's done since he could walk). He literally goes to work, comes home and is a daddy and a husband to us and doesn't really have time for himself. Granted, he could choose to make some time, but he would rather spend time with us than without us (most days--haha).
Recently, I've really tried to strengthen friendships and learn new things to help me with my own sense of self. Yes, I am a mother...but that's not all that I have to offer. I devote myself 99.9% to my family...which leaves me .1% to do activities that I enjoy by myself or with friends (girl's nights, shopping, golf, crafting, movie night...etc). This in turn makes me feel better about myself. And if I feel better, that trickles down to my relationship with my husband and my daughter.
So, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the friends I have for understanding that my world has been rocked in the last 19 months. I'd like to thank my friends for being patient, dropping by the house (when it's easier), helping me keep my sanity, introducing me to new activities, and getting me out of the house when I need it the most. You guys are the best and I love you for it!
Edit: Here's an awesome clip from a friend of mine. Thanks Mrs. H! :D
A very happy holiday.
This was baby's first Christmas...and I know you aren't supposed to say "Christmas (or other event, here) is so much better with a baby." BUT...my holiday season was so much merrier with Scout here. And maybe that's not the same thing. Maybe a baby doesn't change everything...maybe WE change things once the baby gets here.
It was a different and somewhat difficult year for present buying. We didn't want to spend money on ourselves or on each other. We wanted to buy her the world. We wanted to introduce her to Christmas lights, trees, Santa, snow, wrapping paper, tissue paper, bubble wrap, baby dolls and the spirit of giving.
Baby met (and was quizzically intrigued with) Santa, stared at lights and touched her first Christmas tree. She helped me decorate (and un-decorate and then decorate again) the tree and house for the holidays. She tried and finally got the hang of unwrapping presents, though she disapproved of bubble wrap. She experienced her first Miltos, Toy Joy and (almost) Trail of Lights tradition with family. She kissed the baby dolls and hugged them, tackled them, and tried to figure out their hands, feet, eyes, noses and eyelashes. She saw her first snow. She had her first Christmas Eve celebration with extended family. She left milk and cookies for Santa for the first time. She got a letter from Santa for the first time. She had her first Christmas morning and opened her stocking for the first time to find all kinds of goodies.
It was the best Christmas of our lives and part of that has to be because we were sharing it with our baby girl.
A new look..
Oh hey there, readers! Notice anything new about me? That's right....I had a little work done. Welcome to the new blog. It all started with a new name. Then, thanks to a little genius and a lot of hard work...it all came together. So, thanks J. You rock my face off.
Baby standing, caught on video.
She's been doing this for a while...just wanted to share a video.
Watch it once for the standing, and twice for the cute curl behind her ear/collar.
Watch it once for the standing, and twice for the cute curl behind her ear/collar.
What has kept Scooty busy lately?
Oh ya know...making some phone calls, answering some emails, posting some blogs.
"Why I married a Radio, Television and Film degree-holder"...in pictures.
SO. Rebecca at Girls Gone Child posted a blog about money shots (of our children)...and requested readers to gather theirs and send them in. Like I'm not going to do that! ;)
Couldn't pick just a couple, so here's a my top ten...eleven...twelve...thirteen...ok I'll stop. Click the pic below for my photo album and listen to me gush about the cuteness that is.
Couldn't pick just a couple, so here's a my top ten...eleven...twelve...thirteen...ok I'll stop. Click the pic below for my photo album and listen to me gush about the cuteness that is.
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| $$ shots |
Happy Thanksgiving, Baby Scout!
This is your first Thanksgiving, baby girl. And we are so thankful for YOU and all the joy you have brought to our lives! We love you so so so much.
a little inspiration of my own....
I was just inspired to get in shape by a new endeavor...here's your super nerdy literary hint:
"A way a lone a last a love a long the
riverrun, past Eve and Adam's,
from swerve of shore to bend of bay,
brings us by a commodius vicus of
recirculation back to Howth Castle
and Environs."
...and no...nothing is misspelled or nonsensical.
"A way a lone a last a love a long the
riverrun, past Eve and Adam's,
from swerve of shore to bend of bay,
brings us by a commodius vicus of
recirculation back to Howth Castle
and Environs."
...and no...nothing is misspelled or nonsensical.
Such a big girl!!!
Our lil' grower has been growing! And she has the numbers to prove it to ya!
Our growth chart puts Lil' Scouter in the 75th percentile as far as length and head size (she's def. a thinker!!) in her 9th month. She is long and lean, at 18 lbs. 10 oz...and Dr. Cav is wonderfully happy with her development. She is 28 1/2 inches long (I think she gets that from her daddy).
Anywho...just wanted to share the latest stats! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, if I don't get another post up before then!
Our growth chart puts Lil' Scouter in the 75th percentile as far as length and head size (she's def. a thinker!!) in her 9th month. She is long and lean, at 18 lbs. 10 oz...and Dr. Cav is wonderfully happy with her development. She is 28 1/2 inches long (I think she gets that from her daddy).
Anywho...just wanted to share the latest stats! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, if I don't get another post up before then!
Argument FOR teaching your baby French...
This has to be the cutest thing I've ever seen. on the internet.
Once upon a time... from Capucha on Vimeo.
Once upon a time... from Capucha on Vimeo.
two cuteness stories for the day
cute story numero uno:
So today, I watched Scout crawl over to the shelf and take a thick book off the shelf, scoot it over to the other shelf, and stand on it so she could reach the glass vases she isn't supposed to have. So cute that I couldn't tell her no. Until she tried to pick them up.
cute story numero dos:
As I type this, my adorable husband is curled up on the couch...snoring. And below him (on the floor), in the exact same position...also snoring...Champ Champ. They would totally be spooning if they were on the same level.
omg...the cuteness abounds.
So today, I watched Scout crawl over to the shelf and take a thick book off the shelf, scoot it over to the other shelf, and stand on it so she could reach the glass vases she isn't supposed to have. So cute that I couldn't tell her no. Until she tried to pick them up.
cute story numero dos:
As I type this, my adorable husband is curled up on the couch...snoring. And below him (on the floor), in the exact same position...also snoring...Champ Champ. They would totally be spooning if they were on the same level.
omg...the cuteness abounds.
Who's that standing baby?
So, forgive the lapse of posting. I've been busy chasing our little explorer all over the house trying to keep her little mitts off of daddy's records, xbox, books, dog toys, shoes, socks, tp, laundry, tables, tv cabinet and picture frames...to name a few things.
At this rate, we are pretty sure we have an early walker on our hands.
Last night was awful...
BUT with good reward! Ms. Scout has officially cut her first tooth! I tried to take a picture, but eh....no luck. Just know that there are pics of toothies in the works....
Ranch pics and video
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| Ranch 2008 |
Here's some video of Hailee running horses for the first time.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6832859340525237616
and Hailee riding Shorty
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9172711844234431591
Playing with Papa
Here's a cute vid of Scout playing with her Papa. We visited The Ranch in my hometown this past weekend. It was a great time! I'll post the link to more pics when I get them uploaded.
Baby's got a brand new pad....
You can visit Scout now at 12345 Living Room Blvd.! She's all grown up and has her own garden.
Copperhead Road....Scout style.
Here's our prodigy baby...playing Copperhead Road on the stacking cups and dancing to boot! :D Pretty much the funniest thing ever.
When did that happen?
When did ordering a drink at Starbucks become a chance to get mocked, chatted up, or down right confused?! I just want a freakin' frappacino. Not a relationship!
I've never wanted to tip my barista...until today. He simply asked "what can i get started for you, today?" Then, the total, the drink and a "have a nice day."
It was great. I didn't have to talk about the weather. I didn't have to talk about "what trouble i've been up to lately." I didn't have to talk about coffee cake or sandwiches. I wasn't told "oh no, we don't make those anymore. HAHA. JUST KIDDING"
Just the drink, please and thank you.
EDIT:
J went to Starbucks and got the same annoying kid that took my order a couple of weeks ago...
SB guy: "Two drinks? That'll be a million bucks."
J: "uh. ok. here's my card."
SB guy: "ok. do you want a receipt?"
J: "um. no. that's ok."
SB guy: "sure you don't want to make sure I'm not charging you a million bucks?"
J: "uh. that's ok. I trust you."
AND THE BEST IS SAVED FOR LAST
SB guy: "ok. your drinks will be out in a minute. Feel free to sit there and throw things at me."
holy moly...now we are going to have to lose bets to go to Starbucks.
I've never wanted to tip my barista...until today. He simply asked "what can i get started for you, today?" Then, the total, the drink and a "have a nice day."
It was great. I didn't have to talk about the weather. I didn't have to talk about "what trouble i've been up to lately." I didn't have to talk about coffee cake or sandwiches. I wasn't told "oh no, we don't make those anymore. HAHA. JUST KIDDING"
Just the drink, please and thank you.
EDIT:
J went to Starbucks and got the same annoying kid that took my order a couple of weeks ago...
SB guy: "Two drinks? That'll be a million bucks."
J: "uh. ok. here's my card."
SB guy: "ok. do you want a receipt?"
J: "um. no. that's ok."
SB guy: "sure you don't want to make sure I'm not charging you a million bucks?"
J: "uh. that's ok. I trust you."
AND THE BEST IS SAVED FOR LAST
SB guy: "ok. your drinks will be out in a minute. Feel free to sit there and throw things at me."
holy moly...now we are going to have to lose bets to go to Starbucks.
I <3 my husband...
Man, life is pretty grand here in the H house. Don't get me wrong...we have our daily struggles and moments just like every other household. But, I have to hand it to my hard-working husband. He has been putting in a lot of hard hours at work the past couple of months and I wanted to give him a public (well, sorta) pat on the back. Not only is he the sole (veggie-)bacon bringer, but he's a great dad and husband when he gets home. He's never too tired or too busy to give Scout her bath, read a book, sing a song, play instruments or roll around on the floor. And THAT is a great man.
I found some good ol' pics online...here's one from one of our first "dates." J and I had JUST had our first date the night before this picture was taken. J and I met in June of '05 when we worked together at ExpertVillage.com. I'd worked there maybe a week or two and he had stopped by my office to ask me if I wanted to go grab a pizza/beer and see his friend's band play on a Wednesday night after work. I gratefully accepted (a little giddy at this point, and probably jumped for joy on the inside when he asked).
Our first date...I met him at his apartment that he shared with Jason (and Jason's brother and various others that summer) and he gave me the grand tour of the ultimate (but deceptively clean) bachelor-pad. We sat on the couch (I remember absolutely beaming with awkwardness and smiling a lot), talking about movies and his impressive (if somewhat intimidating) DVD collection...including his love of everything John Cusack. We went (I drove) to The Parlor in Austin and shared some pizza and a pitcher before most of his friends showed up at the GoldenBear show. I remember feeling intimidated, but happy that he was interested enough to introduce me to his friends. I remember that tingly feeling in my chest when he HAD to lean close and yell in my ear if I wanted another drink and pure elation as his hand held mine while rocking out to "Santa Rosa" and other GB hits. There were after date pics taken and after post-date errands, it came as quite a surprise when this soft-spoken guy leaned in for our first kiss. I hadn't been that happy in a long time, and to this day I conjure up these feelings of bliss.
A month later I received this IM on my computer on a Monday morning: 7/29/05
jbher1979: you probably won't get this till Monday, but I'm sitting here on Friday night @ 2am and all I can think about is how incredibly in love with you I am.....you make me soooo happy that words cannot even describe it.
(hope this doesn't embarrass him)
So, to J! The best husband in the world.
PS, I just realized that this blog post likely triggered a google alert to J's co-workers. Don't give him too hard of a time on Monday :)
I found some good ol' pics online...here's one from one of our first "dates." J and I had JUST had our first date the night before this picture was taken. J and I met in June of '05 when we worked together at ExpertVillage.com. I'd worked there maybe a week or two and he had stopped by my office to ask me if I wanted to go grab a pizza/beer and see his friend's band play on a Wednesday night after work. I gratefully accepted (a little giddy at this point, and probably jumped for joy on the inside when he asked).
Our first date...I met him at his apartment that he shared with Jason (and Jason's brother and various others that summer) and he gave me the grand tour of the ultimate (but deceptively clean) bachelor-pad. We sat on the couch (I remember absolutely beaming with awkwardness and smiling a lot), talking about movies and his impressive (if somewhat intimidating) DVD collection...including his love of everything John Cusack. We went (I drove) to The Parlor in Austin and shared some pizza and a pitcher before most of his friends showed up at the GoldenBear show. I remember feeling intimidated, but happy that he was interested enough to introduce me to his friends. I remember that tingly feeling in my chest when he HAD to lean close and yell in my ear if I wanted another drink and pure elation as his hand held mine while rocking out to "Santa Rosa" and other GB hits. There were after date pics taken and after post-date errands, it came as quite a surprise when this soft-spoken guy leaned in for our first kiss. I hadn't been that happy in a long time, and to this day I conjure up these feelings of bliss.
A month later I received this IM on my computer on a Monday morning: 7/29/05
jbher1979: you probably won't get this till Monday, but I'm sitting here on Friday night @ 2am and all I can think about is how incredibly in love with you I am.....you make me soooo happy that words cannot even describe it.
(hope this doesn't embarrass him)
So, to J! The best husband in the world.
PS, I just realized that this blog post likely triggered a google alert to J's co-workers. Don't give him too hard of a time on Monday :)
our first San Antonio Zoo trip
Mom and dad came down for a fun-filled weekend and we "road tripped it" to San Antonio to visit some family members. ;) OK, ok...so not exactly family. But, we did have fun looking at all the animals...especially the monkeys, lemurs, hippos and a friendly little ocelot.
Then, today, we went on a walk to the playground in our neighborhood. Here's Scout's first sliding experience.
My moment of enlightenment...
Upon my first few days as a mother, I was flooded with help from family, friends, and a wonderful nursing staff at NAMC. So when we headed home from the hospital, I was confident, excited and ready to begin this new chapter in my life. I was flooded with the "I can't believe this beautiful baby is mine" thoughts.
The day that J was due to return to work, my mom (who'd been in town helping us with late night feedings, laundry, cleaning, cooking, errands, and getting me back on my feet after a difficult C-section) was also due to return home (9 hours away). Momentarily, I was freaked out. Paralyzed. I couldn't believe I was responsible for such a tiny little thing! What was I going to do? How could I do this without my security net? But alone, in our first private moments together...with no nurses, no doctors, no daddy, no grandmas, no family, no friends...I knew. I realized my purpose in life at this very moment was to love this child and that that love would only continue to grow with each late night feeding, each sleepless hour, every coo, every smile and every touch. At that moment (and every moment since then), I couldn't imagine my life without her in it.
Scout's nicknames...
Scout lived up to one of her infamous nicknames today..."munchie..."
I caught her licking the couch.
haha. what a life.
What's new in the world of baby?
Bath time with "Bubbles," the blue hippo!
What's new in your world?
Attacks, praise stretch truth at GOP convention
By JIM KUHNHENN, Associated Press Writer Wed Sep 3, 11:48 PM ET
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her Republican supporters held back little Wednesday as they issued dismissive attacks on Barack Obama and flattering praise on her credentials to be vice president. In some cases, the reproach and the praise stretched the truth.
Some examples:
PALIN: "I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending ... and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. I told the Congress 'thanks but no thanks' for that Bridge to Nowhere."
THE FACTS: As mayor of Wasilla, Palin hired a lobbyist and traveled to Washington annually to support earmarks for the town totaling $27 million. In her two years as governor, Alaska has requested nearly $750 million in special federal spending, by far the largest per-capita request in the nation. While Palin notes she rejected plans to build a $398 million bridge from Ketchikan to an island with 50 residents and an airport, that opposition came only after the plan was ridiculed nationally as a "bridge to nowhere."
PALIN: "There is much to like and admire about our opponent. But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform — not even in the state senate."
THE FACTS: Compared to McCain and his two decades in the Senate, Obama does have a more meager record. But he has worked with Republicans to pass legislation that expanded efforts to intercept illegal shipments of weapons of mass destruction and to help destroy conventional weapons stockpiles. The legislation became law last year. To demean that accomplishment would be to also demean the work of Republican Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, a respected foreign policy voice in the Senate. In Illinois, he was the leader on two big, contentious measures in Illinois: studying racial profiling by police and requiring recordings of interrogations in potential death penalty cases. He also successfully co-sponsored major ethics reform legislation.
PALIN: "The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes, raise payroll taxes, raise investment income taxes, raise the death tax, raise business taxes, and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars."
THE FACTS: The Tax Policy Center, a think tank run jointly by the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute, concluded that Obama's plan would increase after-tax income for middle-income taxpayers by about 5 percent by 2012, or nearly $2,200 annually. McCain's plan, which cuts taxes across all income levels, would raise after tax-income for middle-income taxpayers by 3 percent, the center concluded.
Obama would provide $80 billion in tax breaks, mainly for poor workers and the elderly, including tripling the Earned Income Tax Credit for minimum-wage workers and higher credits for larger families.
He also would raise income taxes, capital gains and dividend taxes on the wealthiest. He would raise payroll taxes on taxpayers with incomes above $250,000, and he would raise corporate taxes. Small businesses that make more than $250,000 a year would see taxes rise.
MCCAIN: "She's been governor of our largest state, in charge of 20 percent of America's energy supply ... She's responsible for 20 percent of the nation's energy supply. I'm entertained by the comparison and I hope we can keep making that comparison that running a political campaign is somehow comparable to being the executive of the largest state in America," he said in an interview with ABC News' Charles Gibson.
THE FACTS: McCain's phrasing exaggerates both claims. Palin is governor of a state that ranks second nationally in crude oil production, but she's no more "responsible" for that resource than President Bush was when he was governor of Texas, another oil-producing state. In fact, her primary power is the ability to tax oil, which she did in concert with the Alaska Legislature. And where Alaska is the largest state in America, McCain could as easily have called it the 47th largest state — by population.
MCCAIN: "She's the commander of the Alaska National Guard. ... She has been in charge, and she has had national security as one of her primary responsibilities," he said on ABC.
THE FACTS: While governors are in charge of their state guard units, that authority ends whenever those units are called to actual military service. When guard units are deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, for example, they assume those duties under "federal status," which means they report to the Defense Department, not their governors. Alaska's national guard units have a total of about 4,200 personnel, among the smallest of state guard organizations.
FORMER ARKANSAS GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE: Palin "got more votes running for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska than Joe Biden got running for president of the United States."
THE FACTS: A whopper. Palin got 616 votes in the 1996 mayor's election, and got 909 in her 1999 re-election race, for a total of 1,525. Biden dropped out of the race after the Iowa caucuses, but he still got 76,165 votes in 23 states and the District of Columbia where he was on the ballot during the 2008 presidential primaries.
FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOV. MITT ROMNEY: "We need change, all right — change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington! We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington — throw out the big-government liberals, and elect John McCain and Sarah Palin."
THE FACTS: A Back-to-the-Future moment. George W. Bush, a conservative Republican, has been president for nearly eight years. And until last year, Republicans controlled Congress. Only since January 2007 have Democrats have been in charge of the House and Senate.
___
Associated Press Writer Jim Drinkard in Washington contributed to this report.
AND a cute picture of the baby to justify your reading of this post. :D
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her Republican supporters held back little Wednesday as they issued dismissive attacks on Barack Obama and flattering praise on her credentials to be vice president. In some cases, the reproach and the praise stretched the truth.
Some examples:
PALIN: "I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending ... and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. I told the Congress 'thanks but no thanks' for that Bridge to Nowhere."
THE FACTS: As mayor of Wasilla, Palin hired a lobbyist and traveled to Washington annually to support earmarks for the town totaling $27 million. In her two years as governor, Alaska has requested nearly $750 million in special federal spending, by far the largest per-capita request in the nation. While Palin notes she rejected plans to build a $398 million bridge from Ketchikan to an island with 50 residents and an airport, that opposition came only after the plan was ridiculed nationally as a "bridge to nowhere."
PALIN: "There is much to like and admire about our opponent. But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform — not even in the state senate."
THE FACTS: Compared to McCain and his two decades in the Senate, Obama does have a more meager record. But he has worked with Republicans to pass legislation that expanded efforts to intercept illegal shipments of weapons of mass destruction and to help destroy conventional weapons stockpiles. The legislation became law last year. To demean that accomplishment would be to also demean the work of Republican Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, a respected foreign policy voice in the Senate. In Illinois, he was the leader on two big, contentious measures in Illinois: studying racial profiling by police and requiring recordings of interrogations in potential death penalty cases. He also successfully co-sponsored major ethics reform legislation.
PALIN: "The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes, raise payroll taxes, raise investment income taxes, raise the death tax, raise business taxes, and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars."
THE FACTS: The Tax Policy Center, a think tank run jointly by the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute, concluded that Obama's plan would increase after-tax income for middle-income taxpayers by about 5 percent by 2012, or nearly $2,200 annually. McCain's plan, which cuts taxes across all income levels, would raise after tax-income for middle-income taxpayers by 3 percent, the center concluded.
Obama would provide $80 billion in tax breaks, mainly for poor workers and the elderly, including tripling the Earned Income Tax Credit for minimum-wage workers and higher credits for larger families.
He also would raise income taxes, capital gains and dividend taxes on the wealthiest. He would raise payroll taxes on taxpayers with incomes above $250,000, and he would raise corporate taxes. Small businesses that make more than $250,000 a year would see taxes rise.
MCCAIN: "She's been governor of our largest state, in charge of 20 percent of America's energy supply ... She's responsible for 20 percent of the nation's energy supply. I'm entertained by the comparison and I hope we can keep making that comparison that running a political campaign is somehow comparable to being the executive of the largest state in America," he said in an interview with ABC News' Charles Gibson.
THE FACTS: McCain's phrasing exaggerates both claims. Palin is governor of a state that ranks second nationally in crude oil production, but she's no more "responsible" for that resource than President Bush was when he was governor of Texas, another oil-producing state. In fact, her primary power is the ability to tax oil, which she did in concert with the Alaska Legislature. And where Alaska is the largest state in America, McCain could as easily have called it the 47th largest state — by population.
MCCAIN: "She's the commander of the Alaska National Guard. ... She has been in charge, and she has had national security as one of her primary responsibilities," he said on ABC.
THE FACTS: While governors are in charge of their state guard units, that authority ends whenever those units are called to actual military service. When guard units are deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, for example, they assume those duties under "federal status," which means they report to the Defense Department, not their governors. Alaska's national guard units have a total of about 4,200 personnel, among the smallest of state guard organizations.
FORMER ARKANSAS GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE: Palin "got more votes running for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska than Joe Biden got running for president of the United States."
THE FACTS: A whopper. Palin got 616 votes in the 1996 mayor's election, and got 909 in her 1999 re-election race, for a total of 1,525. Biden dropped out of the race after the Iowa caucuses, but he still got 76,165 votes in 23 states and the District of Columbia where he was on the ballot during the 2008 presidential primaries.
FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOV. MITT ROMNEY: "We need change, all right — change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington! We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington — throw out the big-government liberals, and elect John McCain and Sarah Palin."
THE FACTS: A Back-to-the-Future moment. George W. Bush, a conservative Republican, has been president for nearly eight years. And until last year, Republicans controlled Congress. Only since January 2007 have Democrats have been in charge of the House and Senate.
___
Associated Press Writer Jim Drinkard in Washington contributed to this report.
AND a cute picture of the baby to justify your reading of this post. :D
Warning, I'm getting political on the blog.
Usually, I reserve this blog for cute pictures of our baby and updates with what's going on with us, but, I wanted to forward this on to whoever may read it. This is an interesting email that I got from a friend that presents a basic run-down of Palin's policy and "experience." If nothing else, skip down to the bottom and read the quotes from people who ACTUALLY live in Alaska and are familiar with Palin. As a woman, I am insulted by this choice, and you should be too.
Yesterday was John McCain's 72nd birthday. If elected, he'd be the oldest president ever inaugurated. And after months of slamming Barack Obama for "inexperience," here's who John McCain has chosen to be one heartbeat away from the presidency: a right-wing religious conservative with no foreign policy experience, who until recently was mayor of a town of 9,000 people.
Huh?
Who is Sarah Palin? Here's some basic background:
* She was elected Alaska's governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage. She has no foreign policy experience.1
* Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest.2
* She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000. 3
* Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.4
* She's doesn't think humans are the cause of climate change.5
* She's solidly in line with John McCain's "Big Oil first" energy policy. She's pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won't be ready for years. She also sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species—she was worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska.6
* How closely did John McCain vet this choice? He met Sarah Palin once at a meeting. They spoke a second time, last Sunday, when he called her about being vice-president. Then he offered her the position.7
This is information the American people need to see. Please take a moment to forward this email to your friends and family.
We also asked Alaska MoveOn members what the rest of us should know about their governor. The response was striking. Here's a sample:
She is really just a mayor from a small town outside Anchorage who has been a governor for only 1.5 years, and has ZERO national and international experience. I shudder to think that she could be the person taking that 3AM call on the White House hotline, and the one who could potentially be charged with leading the US in the volatile international scene that exists today. —Rose M., Fairbanks, AK
She is VERY, VERY conservative, and far from perfect. She's a hunter and fisherwoman, but votes against the environment again and again. She ran on ethics reform, but is currently under investigation for several charges involving hiring and firing of state officials. She has NO experience beyond Alaska. —Christine B., Denali Park, AK
As an Alaskan and a feminist, I am beyond words at this announcement. Palin is not a feminist, and she is not the reformer she claims to be. —Karen L., Anchorage, AK
Alaskans, collectively, are just as stunned as the rest of the nation. She is doing well running our State, but is totally inexperienced on the national level, and very much unequipped to run the nation, if it came to that. She is as far right as one can get, which has already been communicated on the news. In our office of thirty employees (dems, republicans, and nonpartisans), not one person feels she is ready for the V.P. position.—Sherry C., Anchorage, AK
She's vehemently anti-choice and doesn't care about protecting our natural resources, even though she has worked as a fisherman. McCain chose her to pick up the Hillary voters, but Palin is no Hillary. —Marina L., Juneau, AK
I think she's far too inexperienced to be in this position. I'm all for a woman in the White House, but not one who hasn't done anything to deserve it. There are far many other women who have worked their way up and have much more experience that would have been better choices. This is a patronizing decision on John McCain's part- and insulting to females everywhere that he would assume he'll get our vote by putting "A Woman" in that position.—Jennifer M., Anchorage, AK
So Governor Palin is a staunch anti-choice religious conservative. She's a global warming denier who shares John McCain's commitment to Big Oil. And she's dramatically inexperienced.
In picking Sarah Palin, John McCain has made the religious right very happy. And he's made a very dangerous decision for our country.
In the next few days, many Americans will be wondering what McCain's vice-presidential choice means. Please pass this information along to your friends and family.
Thanks for all you do.
–Ilyse, Noah, Justin, Karin and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "Sarah Palin," Wikipedia, Accessed August 29, 2008
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin
2. "McCain Selects Anti-Choice Sarah Palin as Running Mate," NARAL Pro-Choice America, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17515&id=13661-10229154-zOASDNx&t=1
3. "Sarah Palin, Buchananite," The Nation, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17736&id=13661-10229154-zOASDNx&t=2
4. "'Creation science' enters the race," Anchorage Daily News, October 27, 2006
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17737&id=13661-10229154-zOASDNx&t=3
5. "Palin buys climate denial PR spin—ignores science," Huffington Post, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17517&id=13661-10229154-zOASDNx&t=4
6. "McCain VP Pick Completes Shift to Bush Energy Policy," Sierra Club, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17518&id=13661-10229154-zOASDNx&t=5
"Choice of Palin Promises Failed Energy Policies of the Past," League of Conservation Voters, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17519&id=13661-10229154-zOASDNx&t=6
"Protecting polar bears gets in way of drilling for oil, says governor," The Times of London, May 23, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17520&id=13661-10229154-zOASDNx&t=7
7 "McCain met Palin once before yesterday," MSNBC, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=21119&id=13661-10229154-zOASDNx&t=8
Yesterday was John McCain's 72nd birthday. If elected, he'd be the oldest president ever inaugurated. And after months of slamming Barack Obama for "inexperience," here's who John McCain has chosen to be one heartbeat away from the presidency: a right-wing religious conservative with no foreign policy experience, who until recently was mayor of a town of 9,000 people.
Huh?
Who is Sarah Palin? Here's some basic background:
* She was elected Alaska's governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage. She has no foreign policy experience.1
* Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest.2
* She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000. 3
* Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.4
* She's doesn't think humans are the cause of climate change.5
* She's solidly in line with John McCain's "Big Oil first" energy policy. She's pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won't be ready for years. She also sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species—she was worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska.6
* How closely did John McCain vet this choice? He met Sarah Palin once at a meeting. They spoke a second time, last Sunday, when he called her about being vice-president. Then he offered her the position.7
This is information the American people need to see. Please take a moment to forward this email to your friends and family.
We also asked Alaska MoveOn members what the rest of us should know about their governor. The response was striking. Here's a sample:
She is really just a mayor from a small town outside Anchorage who has been a governor for only 1.5 years, and has ZERO national and international experience. I shudder to think that she could be the person taking that 3AM call on the White House hotline, and the one who could potentially be charged with leading the US in the volatile international scene that exists today. —Rose M., Fairbanks, AK
She is VERY, VERY conservative, and far from perfect. She's a hunter and fisherwoman, but votes against the environment again and again. She ran on ethics reform, but is currently under investigation for several charges involving hiring and firing of state officials. She has NO experience beyond Alaska. —Christine B., Denali Park, AK
As an Alaskan and a feminist, I am beyond words at this announcement. Palin is not a feminist, and she is not the reformer she claims to be. —Karen L., Anchorage, AK
Alaskans, collectively, are just as stunned as the rest of the nation. She is doing well running our State, but is totally inexperienced on the national level, and very much unequipped to run the nation, if it came to that. She is as far right as one can get, which has already been communicated on the news. In our office of thirty employees (dems, republicans, and nonpartisans), not one person feels she is ready for the V.P. position.—Sherry C., Anchorage, AK
She's vehemently anti-choice and doesn't care about protecting our natural resources, even though she has worked as a fisherman. McCain chose her to pick up the Hillary voters, but Palin is no Hillary. —Marina L., Juneau, AK
I think she's far too inexperienced to be in this position. I'm all for a woman in the White House, but not one who hasn't done anything to deserve it. There are far many other women who have worked their way up and have much more experience that would have been better choices. This is a patronizing decision on John McCain's part- and insulting to females everywhere that he would assume he'll get our vote by putting "A Woman" in that position.—Jennifer M., Anchorage, AK
So Governor Palin is a staunch anti-choice religious conservative. She's a global warming denier who shares John McCain's commitment to Big Oil. And she's dramatically inexperienced.
In picking Sarah Palin, John McCain has made the religious right very happy. And he's made a very dangerous decision for our country.
In the next few days, many Americans will be wondering what McCain's vice-presidential choice means. Please pass this information along to your friends and family.
Thanks for all you do.
–Ilyse, Noah, Justin, Karin and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "Sarah Palin," Wikipedia, Accessed August 29, 2008
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin
2. "McCain Selects Anti-Choice Sarah Palin as Running Mate," NARAL Pro-Choice America, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17515&id=13661-10229154-zOASDNx&t=1
3. "Sarah Palin, Buchananite," The Nation, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17736&id=13661-10229154-zOASDNx&t=2
4. "'Creation science' enters the race," Anchorage Daily News, October 27, 2006
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17737&id=13661-10229154-zOASDNx&t=3
5. "Palin buys climate denial PR spin—ignores science," Huffington Post, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17517&id=13661-10229154-zOASDNx&t=4
6. "McCain VP Pick Completes Shift to Bush Energy Policy," Sierra Club, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17518&id=13661-10229154-zOASDNx&t=5
"Choice of Palin Promises Failed Energy Policies of the Past," League of Conservation Voters, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17519&id=13661-10229154-zOASDNx&t=6
"Protecting polar bears gets in way of drilling for oil, says governor," The Times of London, May 23, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17520&id=13661-10229154-zOASDNx&t=7
7 "McCain met Palin once before yesterday," MSNBC, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=21119&id=13661-10229154-zOASDNx&t=8
6 months old!
WELL...our little bug is 6 months old now! She is a whopping 16 lbs. 6 ounces and almost 27 inches long! She's growing and changing every day; more and more it seems lately. She is "singing," zirberting, and making word noises...any day now she'll be giving us all our marching orders! She is dying to crawl and is no longer dragging her tummy on the floor. She has this move that we call "the polar bear" where she gets on all fours on my/j's chest and then pounces us (like polar bears do when they try to break the ice). It's pretty much the funniest thing ever. She is enjoying her books and settling into a night time routine, tho we wish we could get past the one time she wakes up in the night.
A cute story for ya: when we were at the doctor's office for her check up, the doctor had given her an exam and was about to leave the room. He shook J's hand, and then mine and then Scout (mocking our behavior) stuck her right hand up for the doctor to shake. He was floored, and we all burst out laughing. He shook her hand and she thought it was hilarious. So watch what you do....because SHE is! :D
Scooty's 3 month picture preview.
So you all remember about four months ago when Scout had her first pictures taken by Britt Oliver, right? Well, here's the sneak preview of photos from her 3 month session. Man, am I glad we booked these photo sessions!
Britt did exactly what I've wanted for this photo session, and I didn't even have to tell her! As a mom...you do all these "everyday" things that are really the best moments you have with your lil' one....and you want to hold on to that...these pics have really captured that feeling... especially in the details....I mean...you have no idea the amount of HOURS we spend just looking at her eyelashes, her mouth, her ears, her hair, her fingers and toes.
It's like she said, we are so in love with our little girl and everything she does! She really captured our hearts with these pics. So without further ado, check out the preview here:
http://blouisephotography.wordpress.com/
Britt did exactly what I've wanted for this photo session, and I didn't even have to tell her! As a mom...you do all these "everyday" things that are really the best moments you have with your lil' one....and you want to hold on to that...these pics have really captured that feeling... especially in the details....I mean...you have no idea the amount of HOURS we spend just looking at her eyelashes, her mouth, her ears, her hair, her fingers and toes.
It's like she said, we are so in love with our little girl and everything she does! She really captured our hearts with these pics. So without further ado, check out the preview here:
http://blouisephotography.wordpress.com/
We welcome a Potter to the family...in Amish Country!
We welcomed our new sister-in-law officially into the family this past weekend. Amanda and Dustin are finally married (out loud)! It was a beautiful weekend and a beautiful wedding! Everything was absolutely perfect, from the weather to the dress, to the cakes and the party! Not to mention the food...oh goodness! We will definitely be visiting our new family in the future!
Here's a few pics all loaded up on Picasa.
Here's a few pics all loaded up on Picasa.
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