Merry Christmas!

WARNING: MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF PICTURES TO FOLLOW, PROBABLY INTERESTING ONLY TO FAMILY. (Don't say I didn't warn you!)

My family, like many, has a Christmas Eve pajama tradition. This year was no exception. My mom found some fun matching jammies online for all of us (including the boys and the baby). We also all got Santa hats to match (Julie's Santa hat said "Kiss Me Grandma" on the white brim). We had fun. And while I have gotten over the practice of taking pictures of Julie every waking moment, my family has not yet. So I have about a million and one pictures to choose from for this post.

Julie has also started sitting up on her own during this trip (finally!), so we've got some stinkin' cute pictures of her going solo in front of the tree. For all the off-schedule-ness and time in the car, and being sick (just a cold, she got it from me), she has been super super happy, even for her. It's been great.

For the pictures of the whole family (all seven of us), we used the timer on my sister's camera. Most of the grown-ups (if we can all be called that) are smiling fine in the pictures, however, we are also all trying to get Julie to smile. Consequently, she ended up looking at one of us (a different one each time) in almost every shot. Enjoy!

And, the silly shot (I love that Mom and Dad are perfectly normal in this picture):
For the rest of the photos, there were three cameras going at once, so it seems like in not one shot are we all three looking the same direction. Oh yeah, three cameras and an entertainer for Jules.
So so happy here!!
Awwwww, so sweet!And what would Christmas be without a couple shots of the siblings?
And silly ones at that!
A shot of Julie with the dudes:
And finally, just Julie:
Mmmmmm...wrapping paper!And her super cute slippers:

Update

I have had several requests for a new post. I know I've slowed down a lot in the last couple of weeks. I had 48 posts in November, though. I'm a little burnt out people! Give me a break!! :) Just kidding.

On one hand, I feel like I've been really busy, but on the other hand, I can't think of much that I've done.

Quick recap:

• Julie is very much into solid foods by now. She eats rice cereal, oatmeal, peas, bananas, squash, pears, and (as of today) carrots.
• Since we never got Julie to take a bottle, we've decided to skip that step and just get her used to a sippy cup at this point. Since I don't have enough of a milk supply anymore to really pump (even though I know that yes, pumping will increase that supply), so we've also introduced water into Julie's diet. She doesn't quite "get" that she's supposed to suck, but she's working on it.
• We had a great Thanksgiving weekend with Ben's family. I may or may not eventually get around to posting pictures.
• We're leaving this weekend for our Christmas break. First we're going to Maine to visit friends for a few days, and then driving down to Connecticut to spend Christmas with my family. Ben will only be there for a few days. He plans on driving back in time to be at Church on the last Sunday of the year, as he is the ward clerk and has lots to do. Julie and I will be flying back on January 7th.
• Ben might actually start posting on this blog. He has a story he wants to tell, and I told him he should start a series on here called "I'm not an idiot!" since he has several anecdotes that fall under that category.
• I may or may not be posting much while I'm gone. Since I don't have any Wishful Wednesdays or Friday Features already in mind, I'm probably not going to be continuing those for a few weeks, as I don't have time to draft and schedule them for publication before I leave.
• Julie is scooting all over the place. I may have already mentioned this elsewhere. She's not terribly interested in sitting up, but she's pretty mobile by now.
• Still no teeth.
  

Wishful Wednesday: Christmas

I'm not used to traveling at the holidays. The first year I was married, we went to visit my parents for Christmas. It was a 3.5 hour drive. Not too bad. The second year (last year), we went to visit Ben's parents. It was a six hour drive. Longer, but still bearable. And only Ben and I. This year is different. We're going to visit my parents again. This time it's a 9.5 hour drive to them. However, we're going to visit friends in Maine (where we moved from) first. It's about a 14(ish) hour drive to Portland. We're taking it in two days. Oh yeah, and we have a little one now, too. We're leaving on the 19th. With Thanksgiving being later this year than usual, and us leaving sooner than usual due to longer drives and multiple locales, my Christmas season is being cut short at home.

We bought a fake tree. I just didn't want to deal with going out to find a real one, to have up for two weeks and have to take down before we left (for safety's sake). Plus I didn't want to deal with keeping Julie out in the cold while we hunted for the perfect tree. So we bought a fake one. And a tree-scented candle.

The tree actually looks really good. I was nervous, because fake trees often look really fake. This one fills out really well. It took us a week to get the tree set up, fluffed out, and strung with lights. Then it took two days for me to get ornaments on it. Less than half of what we normally put on the tree. I just didn't feel like pulling out all the layers of ornament separators from the bucket this year.

So my tree looks a little barren. And I just don't have the energy to do any other Christmas decorations this year. And we don't have lights on the house, either. I'm not sure we ever will. Ben has a fear of heights that mostly manifests itself on ladders.

So today I wish I have the energy and/or desire to "do" Christmas more. I know that the decorations and stuff aren't what it's really about, but they help me feel the Spirit of Christmas.

Mom, I hope you're decorating your house for Christmas, because I'd really like to see it.

What do YOU wish for today?

Haiku Monday: Intro

I think I'll try my
hand at something new on here
each and every week.

Haiku is a verse
with five counts first and last, but
seven in between.

It doesn't always
make sense, but since I'm kooky,
it doesn't have to.

The Twilight Zone

All the rage this year has been "Twilight." The fourth book in the series came out earlier this year, then the movie (based on the first book) was released just a few weeks ago.

Mostly I'm ambivalent. Maybe a little resistant. I have no desire to ingratiate myself with this fad, and in fact, I'm really glad that the movie has finally hit theaters, because now the hype has simmered down a little.

I've been mostly content to express my disinterest, without begrudging my many friends who are fans of Twilight.

Until now.

This is just. plain. wrong.

People Magazine has a poll on their website, asking who is the sexiest vampire.

Currently, Robert Pattinson (who plays Edward in the movie Twilight) has 48% of the vote.

Next in line is David Boreanaz, from the Buffy series, with 29%.

He is followed by Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise (both from Interview with the Vampire).

And finally Wesley Snipes (Blade).

I have a serious problem with this. No way -- NO WAY -- is Robert Pattinson sexier than David Boreanaz. There are very few men in this world who are sexier than David Boreanaz, and the freakish little 22 year old wimp with weird hair is certainly not one of them.

These are two of those who are:

The gorgeous and multi-talented Hugh Jackman

And my amazing husband

Wishful Wednesday: Museum Exhibits

Wishful Wednesday has returned after a two (I think?) week hiatus! I know you've all been waiting with baited breath and just can't wait to see what I wish for this week. This week I am going to cover a few museum exhibits I want to see.

Several years ago, an exhibit came to the Portland Art Museum while I was living in Oregon City. It was one that interested me even as a teenager, and I went to see it with my mom and my aunt. It took my breath away, and I would love to see it again. A couple of months ago, I Googled the guy's name to see if there was anything within a two-hour radius of Cleveland anytime in the next year. No dice. I still lucked out though. I'll get to see an exhibit while I'm home for Christmas.

Dale Chihuly is a glass artist. He creates art like I've never seen before. It's simply amazing, and I honestly don't have words to describe it. Pictures are one thing, but if you ever have an opportunity to see a display of his work, I highly recommend it. You can visit his official website here. Dale attended the Rhode Island School of Design, which is currently hosting an exhibit of his work through 4 January. Since Providence is only a little over an hour from my parents' home, I'll be able to visit the display while I'm there. Since this is where he attended school (he has also taught there), it will be one of the biggest exhibitions of his work ever. I'm really excited!




The second part of this week's installment of Wishful Wednesday is a more local feature. The Cleveland Museum of Art has a unique display going right now. It's called Artistic Luxury: Fabergé, Tiffany, Lalique, and it's almost one of a kind. The last time these three artists' works were displayed together was at the World's Fair in Paris in 1900.

I fell in love with Fabergé eggs at a young age when my great-grandmother and my dad took me to see a showing of them in La Jolla, CA. Actually, it was going to be a nice afternoon for the two of them together, and I talked my way into going. I loved it. My great-grandmother loved Fabergé eggs, and I've taken every opportunity I can since then to see them. Throw in Tiffany artwork, which is also beautiful, and Lalique, which I've never heard of, and it's bound to be a feast for the eyes. This exhibit is currently open, and runs through 18 January. Anyone want to go with me after the Christmas break?




What do YOU wish for today?

Thankful November: Day 30

Today is my last Thankful November post. It's helped me pay attention to little things that I might not otherwise acknowledge. Today, I hope at the end of the day to be able to say that I'm thankful to have only spent six hours of drive time to get home instead of the ten hours it took to get to Brian and Darcy's house.

Thankful November: Day 29

Today I am thankful for Mexican food. We went to a great little Mexican restaurant near Brian and Darcy's house that is really yummy, and pretty authentic. It was great, and fun too! I'll show pictures later, with a story.

Thankful November: Day 28

Today I am thankful for Black Friday. I did not get up at an insane hour of the morning to go fight the crowds, but only because Julie would have objected to being left behind, and I objected to bringing her along. However, I found a really great deal on something I've been looking for for Ben. I've been checking prices on this item every time I've seen one, or every time I see an ad for it, for about six months. The cheapest I've been able to find it is around $60. I wasn't specifically looking for it for Christmas, but I found an ad that showed it for $30!!! I was really excited, and my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and Erin will be going out, and they said they'd get it for me. Yay for good deals!

(Isn't this the second or third 'good deals' post I've done this month? This one is specifically Black Friday good deals.)

Thankful November: Day 27

I've saved the big one for today. The obvious one. The first one most people think of when asked what they're thankful for.

Today I am thankful for family. I'm thankful for my three families. I am thankful for my immediate family, and I've already highlighted Ben and Julie separately this month. I am also thankful for my own family -- my parents and siblings. I am thankful, too, for Ben's family -- his parents, siblings, and their families.

Today I am spending Thanksgiving with Ben's family. His brother is shipping off to Afghanistan on Monday, and this is the last opportunity we'll all have to be together for 15 months or so. We haven't seen him and his family since last Christmas. Our good friends Dave and Erin also came down to spend the holiday with all of us. Now that the day is winding down, I will add that I am grateful for good friends and good fun.

I am thankful also for my own family, my parents and brother and sister. It's been almost a year and a half since I've seen my sister, and she's never met Julie. We'll be heading there for Christmas. It will be lots of fun.

I hope you all have (or have had) a wonderful Thanksgiving day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sock monkeys

Hey everyone. Just a quick note before I head out of town and forget. I have a friend doing a giveaway on her blog this week. She makes sock monkeys, and they're super cute. Head on over to this post at Two Lovelies to enter.

Thankful November: Day 26

Today is a travel day. We are on the road to Ben's parents' house in Indiana. I am thankful for cars. I'm thankful for modern roads, and the ability to travel to be able to spend holidays with family. I'm thankful that this is something that is a possibility for us.

Thankful November: Day 25

Today I am thankful for disposal diapers. I am very thankful that I don't have to wash the diaper I just took off of Julie. Heck, I'm glad that no one else has to either. See, Julie didn't poop all day Sunday or yesterday, and just now was definitely her lifetime poopiest diaper. So I'm really glad I don't have to wash it.

She's really happy now, though.

Irked

Irked is what I was after Sacrament meeting yesterday. I thought that it was a really good meeting. Every once in awhile, one comes along that is just really good. Yesterday was one such meeting, for me anyway.

Honestly, I don't remember what the youth speaker's topic was, but I do remember that I felt the Spirit. I think it was about unity. The second speaker spoke about self-worth, I think. Again, I know I felt the Spirit. then we had an interlude hymn, and the final speaker spoke about reverence.

I missed the first half of it because I had to change my baby's diaper, but when I came back in the chapel, I noticed how quiet it was. At first I thought it was because the brother who was speaking was so quiet, so everyone else had to be quiet in order to hear him. Then I started listening and I realized what his theme was. It was a really good talk, but it apparently didn't sink in with everyone. The kids in the congregation got it...they were quiet and still during the meeting.

However, there were three men I walked past on my way to the back of the chapel afterward, who were (loudly) talking about Saturday's BYU-Utah football game, and how "if we had put up the right offense, blah blah blah." I was really irked. I almost went up to them and said "I don't mean to be rude, but did you not hear Brother Rogers' talk just now?" Admittedly, I already don't particularly like two of these three brethren anyway, but I was very saddened to see that it was a case of garbage-in-garbage-out with them.

I hesitate to post this here, as many of my readers know these people, and two of my readers are in fact married to two of these people. But I had to get it out.

Thankful November: Day 24

Today, as I do massive amounts of laundry, I'm thankful for a washing machine and a dryer. I'm thankful I don't have to use a washboard and a clothesline.

We are T minus zero, folks!

For some time now, Julie has been rolling all over the place, and wiggling herself directionally. On Friday morning, I saw her do something different. She planted her hands on the ground straight down from her shoulders, pushed up and dragged her body forward. "Hunh" I thought. A little while later, I saw her do it again. A few hours after that, I saw her do it twice in a row while focusing on an object she was trying to reach.

On Saturday, I saw her do the same thing again, with a little help from her toes, pushing forward slightly.

By yesterday evening, Julie had figured out that she got farther faster if she used her elbows. I have an army crawler!

She's the cutest!

Sorry to all my other friends who think their baby is the cutest. S/he just isn't. Mine is. :) I recently had Julie's pictures taken for her six-month birthday, and I wanted to share them with you. I downloaded Picasa onto my computer so I could play around with collages. It was more work that I realized, since I don't want to use it as my default program, and I'm still trying to figure out how to navigate it, but here are ALL of Julie's pictures, in two compact frames.

The background of the photos is a quilt that my mom made.

I thought this layout was fun, with as many photos as I've got here.
And this one is so you can actually see her a little better.

For all the photos individually, visit the album on my Facebook page by clicking here (even if you don't have a Facebook account): Julie's Six Month Photo Shoot.

To see more work by Sarah Palfreyman, click here for her photography blog: Sarah Palfreyman Photography.

Thankful November: Day 23

Today I am thankful for Christmas music. Wahoo! I get to listen to it now! I start listening on my birthday, or Thanksgiving, whichever comes first. Actually, I think my birthday is the earliest that Thanksgiving can ever be. But I'm listening to Christmas music now, and unless you hit the "pause" button above, so are you!

Commentary on pop culture

Ben and I went out to dinner tonight at Ruby Tuesday. Alone. It was great. (Thanks to the Hoopes', who babysat Julie.) The fact that we were alone has absolutely nothing to do with what I'm writing about, but I just had to share it.

I noticed (not for the first time) tonight, that there were many more employees than necessary at the restaurant. We had one person who introduced himself as our "server," however, he did not serve us. Why is it necessary to have one person to take our order, a second person to bring our drinks, a third person to bring our food, and a fourth to bus the table after we leave? Person #1 comes back midway through the meal to ask if everything is alright, and maybe refills our drinks. Meanwhile, half the restaurant was empty, and from the direction I was facing, I could see several employees just "hanging out" at the end of the aisle I was seated in, and they just stood around talking and laughing most of the time.

Now, when I started dating and going out for meals semi-frequently nine or so years ago, 15% was the standard for tipping. Now it had gone up to 20%. I can't attribute this to inflation, because a percentage wouldn't' be affected by inflation. What I want to know is why am I tipping 20% to someone who writes down my order and asks if everything is okay, but does nothing else?

Moving on. I watched something on TV this week about anti-aging treatments. The women who were participating were 51, 43, and 39. Maybe I will feel differently in ten years, but I don't get the whole need to reverse the aging process. Why is it such an obsession? What's wrong with looking your age? Personally, I think it's kind-of creepy when 15-year-olds have 43-year-old moms who look 28.

Your thoughts on any of the above?

Thankful November: Day 22

Today I am thankful for birthdays. This is a silly one. Today is my birthday! Yay me! I was going to have some friends over for dinner and games tonight, but I had to cancel because I'm sick. So I'm sad. Ben's taking me out to dinner tonight instead, so we can get everyone at the restaurant sick.

Thankful November: Day 21

Today I am thankful for antibiotics. Yay for Zithromax!!

Thankful November: Day 20

Okay, so I've really fallen behind this week. I've not had the energy to think of anything to post for my Thankful November series, nor my Wishful Wednesdays or Friday Features. I apologize. I should hopefully be back on track next week.

Today (even though I'm actually writing this two days later now), I'm thankful for libraries. I went to the library this week (Monday? Tuesday? I can't remember now) and picked up a few books to read. I haven't read anything in a few months, partly because I've been on burnout of my books here at home. But I'm reading again. Yay!

Thankful November: Day 19

Today I am thankful for Mentholatum. Yep, that's right. Mentholatum. You know, this stuff:


This is great stuff. When I was younger, I used to get pretty severe allergic reactions to mosquito bites when I went camping. Nothing could soothe the itching and the redness and swelling, until we discovered this when I was 12 or 13. It's the only thing that's ever helped me. I currently have a cold (still), and by rubbing this under my nose at night, I can fall asleep breathing through my nose instead of my mouth. It totally opens up the sinuses. It's great stuff.

Thankful November: Day 18

I did it again. I didn't post this yesterday. I'm backdating again.

"Today" I am thankful for the little things.

I'm thankful for a little bit of snow, that makes it feel like hot chocolate and Christmas music weather, without making me wish for May already.
I'm thankful for little rocks in normal colors (instead of bright pink) that make my newly cleaned fish tank look much nicer than before.
Mostly, I'm thankful for this little thing:

Thankful November: Day 17

Whoops! I forgot to post this yesterday. I'll backdate it so it looks like it's on the right day.

"Today" I am thankful for modern medicine. I've been having an issue for about 6 weeks or so, and finally saw my doctor for it last week. He prescribed something that is supposed to treat what I don't think the problem is, but I'll give it a try. We'll see. In any case, I'm very thankful for modern medicine.

Thankful November: Day 16

Today I am thankful for music. I like a good variety of music, and I enjoy listening to it. At church, I am in charge of selecting the hymns to sing each week, and conducting the music as well. Music evokes emotion and memories of many things. But mostly I just like having music on during the day, whether it's the radio, a CD, or a playlist on the computer. It keeps me company, and it's just fun.

Thankful November: Day 15

Today I am thankful for the Boy Scouting program. Even though it takes Ben away from home one weekend a month (this weekend), I'm thankful for it. Ben loves working with the Scouts, and really enjoys being part of the program. It enriches his life and gives him outside fulfillment and enjoyment that people need besides their family.

Thankful November: Day 14

Today I am thankful for my beautiful daughter Julie. She is a joy to me, and I can't help but smile when I'm around her. Yes, she cries and fusses, but most of the time she's a very happy easy-going girl. This morning I heard her say "mama" twice, but I can't believe that it's on purpose yet (as much as I might like to). I have noticed in the last few days that she is combining her vowel and consonant sounds now, which is good. This morning is the first time I've noticed polysyllabic sounds, though.

Her smile can cheer me up and melt my heart. I love her so much, and I am so thankful to have her in my life.

Thankful November: Day 13

Today I am thankful for the self-checkout line at the grocery store. I'm faster if I can scan everything through myself, plus I like to keep all the produce together, all the dairy/frozen stuff together, all the canned goods together, boxed items together, non-food items together, etc. For some reason, grocery store employees in Ohio won't leave stuff grouped in the order I put it in. And they're terrible baggers here. I went to Target here once, just before New Year's last year, and purchased the following items:

• 1 bottle of sparkling peach flavored soda
• 1 bottle of sparkling pear flavored soda
• a purse
• one other item (I don't remember what it was)

For these four items, I was given five bags. Yes, five. Each bottle was wrapped in a bag and then placed in its own bag. The other two items were bagged together. Before leaving the register, I took the wrapped bottles out of their outside bags and placed them in the other bag, so that I only had one thing to carry.

Yes, I am thankful for the self-checkout lane.

Wishful Wednesday: Julie's Wish List

Julie has asked me to shamelessly use today's Wishful Wednesday to share her Christmas wish list with the grandmas and grandpas, and so I shall.

Julie doesn't really need any toys. She might want some, but she is perfectly happy to play with a clean pair of folded socks or tear apart a magazine. Grammy, if you finish off any rolls of wrapping paper for Christmas this year, please save the tubes, as she will soon enjoy those.

She does want some music though. We have downloaded some lullaby music from iTunes, as well as some Silly Songs With Larry, which she enjoys. I suggested some music to Julie that I used to listen to as a child, and she said it sounds good to her. It was a little hard to find though, since the manufacturer has discontinued it. The Wee Sing series is great fun music, and can be found here. Julie especially wants "Wee Sing Silly Songs," and would be happy with any of the others. This website offers the music on CD packaged together with the book, which is great, because on Amazon I can mostly only find cassette tapes of the Wee Sing music.

The other thing the Julie really wants for Christmas is Baby Signing Time. This is a DVD series that teaches children (yes, even as young as Julie is) signs for basic early words they might learn. While children are yet unable to formulate proper sounds with their tongues and mouths, they are still able to communicate their needs and wants through signing. I've seen many other families use this program and am excited to try it with Julie. These DVDs are readily available on Amazon (click here for a direct search link).

As Julie is a growing girl, she will be needing new clothes, too. Most of what Ben and I get Julie for Christmas will probably be clothes, since we know we have to buy them anyway.

Julie just told me she wanted to say something herself before we post this. I don't know what it is yet, but grandmas and grampas, she says you'll know.

ggccv8xc xcvjk xcl xc xc j xcnk
,tn g tmd d d d d bjhxc xcccccccccc xcv,m xvc,r , . 7bnhjbn

Well, there you have it. And here she is:

Thankful November: Day 12

Today I am thankful for good health. Perhaps it's on my mind because I'm not quite enjoying it at the moment. I am generally a really healthy person. I get a bad sinus infection about once or twice a year, and the sniffles a few times in between. So far I think I'm just in a sniffles phase right now, but it only started yesterday, so we'll see. But I am usually thankful for good health.

Thankful November: Day 11

Today I am thankful for YOU! I am thankful for my friends, my family, my readers. I hit 5,000 page views on my blog yesterday. I haven't had the counter up since I started the blog, so that's not an accurate count since its inception, but 5,000 is a great number nonetheless.

First solids (well, technically)

We gave Julie her first taste of solids this past weekend. She did much better than I expected, stereotypically speaking. Never having done this before, I read the instructions on the rice cereal box, and it said for baby's first feeding, to use a ratio of 1 tbsp cereal to 4-5 tbsp breast milk. So that's what we did...it was very runny, so there really wasn't much texture to speak of. I'll start thickening it up more this week. Her initial reaction was a pretty funny face, but she did well with the whole thing overall. Here are some pictures, an a video at the end.

(Oh, and another Julie-ism I forgot to mention in the last post is that she loves playing peek-a-boo. She loves if i cover her face with a cloth diaper, or a sheet or blanket, and then say "Where's Julie?" She'll yank it off and reveal a huge smile. I love it!)





I thought this one was cute, with her eyes closed. She looks like she just tuckered out, but really, she's just blinking.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com