This weekend Hattie smiled and I spied a tooth poking through on top. Upon further inspection, I saw FOUR teeth coming in! All on top. At first I saw only three-- one front tooth and two on either side. That would’ve looked pretty comical if the other front tooth had lagged. But it is now poking through, too. She is going to look so different soon. It’s amazing how quickly she is changing; I swear some days you can almost observe it happening.
She is also crawling a lot now. When she does, she breathes really loud and fast like she's having sooo much fun. This is good, as it makes it much easier to track her. I know she’s on a roll when I hear breathing and squealing. She’s pretty funny, that girl.
Lately I’ve been having these visions of her when she is bigger. The other day we were sitting under a fan, her hair blowing and we were laughing. I had this vision of her being 12 years old on an amusement park ride. It came in a flash and it makes me so excited to see what kind of person she is going to become. So far her personality is very laid back, but highly inquisitive-- she has to know everything going on, just like her dad. As her Grammy says, “she doesn’t miss a trick”. She also has Brian and my own love of music….she will stop whatever she is doing and listen to a song being played for several moments. She is very funny and loves us being goofy. Its funny that at such a young age babies know "goofy". And obviously, Brian and I are. She gets very excited when all three of us are together and we play. I do get the impression that it is the highlight of her day (its also mine). I can’t wait to watch her personality develop more and more as she gets older.
And I’ll get some pics of her toothy grin soon….
Monday, August 27, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
9 Months
Yesterday was Hattie's 9 month birthday. I can't believe she is already 3/4 of a year old! My mom bought her age cards to get a picture taken with each month. This month and last were pretty comical, as she wants to eat and play with the cards, not pose with them. Anyway, they are below with my favorite profile pic I took and some of the very cute puzzle my parents made for her. Yep, made.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
100
Emily is ever my blog idol (all hail Queen of the Blog!). She made a list of 100 things about herself. It is supposed to be a self-enlightening process. I don't know about that, but I do know its probably more than anyone wants to know about me. And its terribly random. Here goes...
1. My shower is my dirty little secret. ‘Dirty’ being the key word.
2. My new eyes have made this terribly apparent-I used to live blissfully blind and unaware. How does a “cleaning area” become so dirty so quickly?
3. The rest of my house is pretty clean.
4. My husband is my best friend.
5. It is a huge pleasure having a copilot to share life with.
6. I love wine.
7. I enjoy a good buzz.
8. I enjoy a good buzz more often than I should.
9. I request catalogues just to get mail.
10. I do not like to see myself in pictures.
11. I do not like to be videotaped. At all.
12. When looking in the mirror, I do not look at the ‘big picture’ only small areas. Clean teeth, mascara application, hairdo, etc.
13. I do not own a full length mirror.
14. My daughter makes my heart smile more than anything else on earth.
15. They say that the average person laughs 17 times a day. With Brian, Hattie, friends and family I more than double that. Easily.
16. I like my freckles and loathe my age spots.
17. I consider my gray hairs a right of passage.
18. I choose a day to clean house when I know I can be home that night to snuggle in and enjoy it. And I do immensely.
19. I am a blusher who hates to blush. It’s a crippling weakness to me.
20. Some of the reasons I chose to be a scientist; fewer people to deal with
21. No presentations.
22. No dressing up.
23. Oh yeah, and I like science. It’s the hands-on part that I like. I’m no brainiac.
24. I am a big penny pincher when it comes to (most) things.
25. I don’t see any reason to pay obscene amounts of money to be a walking billboard.
26. I don’t see any reason to pay obscene amounts of money on clothing or purses to impress other people.
27. I don’t feel the need to ‘pamper’ myself much. My whole life is pretty cushy.
28. I’ve never had a pedicure.
29. I’ve had 1 (free) massage. This I may treat myself to again someday.
30. I’ve had 2 manicures and don’t get the appeal. My nails suck.
31. My girlfriends are one of my biggest assets. I couldn’t feel any more fortunate to have them. Most I have known since high school or longer.
32. I don’t talk to them nearly enough.
33. I am aiming for retirement at 55.
34. 35 would be better.
35. Short of being independently wealthy, I enjoy my job very much.
36. I refuse to buy Hattie any clothing with the word Princess or Diva on it.
37. Piercing the ears of babies makes me cringe. Aren’t their faces beautiful enough without painful adornments they didn’t choose?
38. A good cup of coffee is one of life’s great pleasures.
39. So is chocolate anything.
40. I am striving to be the kind of parent that my parents are to me.
41. My family is the best. Ever. Truly.
42. You can’t have them.
43. I have ridden on a fan boat in the Everglades.
44. I have visited 10 countries. England, Ireland and Switzerland are my favorites.
45. On my bad days, I daydream of shucking it all and moving to Ireland.
46. I regret not studying more in school.
47. The Sunday paper and lounging with family are what weekends are all about.
48. I am a horrible arguer/debater.
49. My best comebacks usually arrive an hour too late.
50. I watch too much tv, but enjoy it a lot.
51. My wardrobe is pretty pathetic.
52. I have a love/hate relationship with shopping.
53. And my body. It’s healthy & strong, but flabby.
54. I try to convince myself I like working out.
55. Most of the time, I do not.
56. I do get a high when I work out hard enough.
57. But it’s not often enough!
58. My opinions sometimes get in the way of my happiness.
59. Hattie is exceptional. And I am not biased.
60. My husband is goofy and sooo kind-hearted. Two of his best qualities.
61. Patience is not a virtue of mine.
62. But I am working on it.
63. Clowns frighten me.
64. So does public speaking.
65. And maggots.
66. And leeches.
67. If I could take my family and friends, I would move to the beach.
68. I love water. Drinkable, swimmable, watchable. I can stare at the ocean or a lake for hours. And have.
69. I am competitive, but hopefully in a fun way.
70. The last few years I have been embarrassed to be an American. Thanks, George.
71. I have a phone phobia. Hate talking to anyone I don’t see on a regular basis. I feel awkward and talk too fast. I’ve no idea why.
72. I don’t own a cell phone.
73. David Beckham and Matt Damon are pretty close to perfect physical specimens.
74. I doodle a lot.
75. My knees are beginning to sound like rice krispies.
76. I have a huge extended family all in KC. Huge. And they are really, really fun.
77. I’ve never broken a bone.
78. Hard physical labor is extremely rewarding to me. But I am glad I don’t have to do it for a living.
79. Our yard is in a sad state of affairs.
80. I enjoy working in the yard, but don’t do it nearly enough. HP is my excuse.
81. After her bath time, I sniff Hattie more than I probably should.
82. I love my car.
83. After life at KU, I am pretty adept at parallel parking.
84. I tried to learn drums, but my sense of timing is not so good. It is fun, though!
85. I wish for Hattie her father’s musical abilities.
86. Even with my fear of public speaking, I have always dreamed of being a great singer.
87. When I am not in a hurry, I like my handwriting.
88. I would absolutely hate living in Hollywood or L.A.
89. I love board games.
90. One of 3 “Bs” always sounds good. Beatles, Bob (Marley) or The Band.
91. I could live on grilled veggies, pizza, tofu stir fry and Chipotle burrito bowls.
92. Add chocolate and baked goods to that list.
93. At all times I have all the ingredients in my kitchen to make chocolate chip cookies.
94. I wish I could express myself better when I am angry or upset.
95. Does anyone really need or want to know this much about me?
96. I have become much less lazy as I’ve aged and become a wife and mom. I like that.
97. Hattie is my joy in life, but sometimes I miss my independence and freedom.
98. Compassion is a quality I am working on.
99. The older I get, the mellower my music becomes.
100. My life is pretty damn good.
1. My shower is my dirty little secret. ‘Dirty’ being the key word.
2. My new eyes have made this terribly apparent-I used to live blissfully blind and unaware. How does a “cleaning area” become so dirty so quickly?
3. The rest of my house is pretty clean.
4. My husband is my best friend.
5. It is a huge pleasure having a copilot to share life with.
6. I love wine.
7. I enjoy a good buzz.
8. I enjoy a good buzz more often than I should.
9. I request catalogues just to get mail.
10. I do not like to see myself in pictures.
11. I do not like to be videotaped. At all.
12. When looking in the mirror, I do not look at the ‘big picture’ only small areas. Clean teeth, mascara application, hairdo, etc.
13. I do not own a full length mirror.
14. My daughter makes my heart smile more than anything else on earth.
15. They say that the average person laughs 17 times a day. With Brian, Hattie, friends and family I more than double that. Easily.
16. I like my freckles and loathe my age spots.
17. I consider my gray hairs a right of passage.
18. I choose a day to clean house when I know I can be home that night to snuggle in and enjoy it. And I do immensely.
19. I am a blusher who hates to blush. It’s a crippling weakness to me.
20. Some of the reasons I chose to be a scientist; fewer people to deal with
21. No presentations.
22. No dressing up.
23. Oh yeah, and I like science. It’s the hands-on part that I like. I’m no brainiac.
24. I am a big penny pincher when it comes to (most) things.
25. I don’t see any reason to pay obscene amounts of money to be a walking billboard.
26. I don’t see any reason to pay obscene amounts of money on clothing or purses to impress other people.
27. I don’t feel the need to ‘pamper’ myself much. My whole life is pretty cushy.
28. I’ve never had a pedicure.
29. I’ve had 1 (free) massage. This I may treat myself to again someday.
30. I’ve had 2 manicures and don’t get the appeal. My nails suck.
31. My girlfriends are one of my biggest assets. I couldn’t feel any more fortunate to have them. Most I have known since high school or longer.
32. I don’t talk to them nearly enough.
33. I am aiming for retirement at 55.
34. 35 would be better.
35. Short of being independently wealthy, I enjoy my job very much.
36. I refuse to buy Hattie any clothing with the word Princess or Diva on it.
37. Piercing the ears of babies makes me cringe. Aren’t their faces beautiful enough without painful adornments they didn’t choose?
38. A good cup of coffee is one of life’s great pleasures.
39. So is chocolate anything.
40. I am striving to be the kind of parent that my parents are to me.
41. My family is the best. Ever. Truly.
42. You can’t have them.
43. I have ridden on a fan boat in the Everglades.
44. I have visited 10 countries. England, Ireland and Switzerland are my favorites.
45. On my bad days, I daydream of shucking it all and moving to Ireland.
46. I regret not studying more in school.
47. The Sunday paper and lounging with family are what weekends are all about.
48. I am a horrible arguer/debater.
49. My best comebacks usually arrive an hour too late.
50. I watch too much tv, but enjoy it a lot.
51. My wardrobe is pretty pathetic.
52. I have a love/hate relationship with shopping.
53. And my body. It’s healthy & strong, but flabby.
54. I try to convince myself I like working out.
55. Most of the time, I do not.
56. I do get a high when I work out hard enough.
57. But it’s not often enough!
58. My opinions sometimes get in the way of my happiness.
59. Hattie is exceptional. And I am not biased.
60. My husband is goofy and sooo kind-hearted. Two of his best qualities.
61. Patience is not a virtue of mine.
62. But I am working on it.
63. Clowns frighten me.
64. So does public speaking.
65. And maggots.
66. And leeches.
67. If I could take my family and friends, I would move to the beach.
68. I love water. Drinkable, swimmable, watchable. I can stare at the ocean or a lake for hours. And have.
69. I am competitive, but hopefully in a fun way.
70. The last few years I have been embarrassed to be an American. Thanks, George.
71. I have a phone phobia. Hate talking to anyone I don’t see on a regular basis. I feel awkward and talk too fast. I’ve no idea why.
72. I don’t own a cell phone.
73. David Beckham and Matt Damon are pretty close to perfect physical specimens.
74. I doodle a lot.
75. My knees are beginning to sound like rice krispies.
76. I have a huge extended family all in KC. Huge. And they are really, really fun.
77. I’ve never broken a bone.
78. Hard physical labor is extremely rewarding to me. But I am glad I don’t have to do it for a living.
79. Our yard is in a sad state of affairs.
80. I enjoy working in the yard, but don’t do it nearly enough. HP is my excuse.
81. After her bath time, I sniff Hattie more than I probably should.
82. I love my car.
83. After life at KU, I am pretty adept at parallel parking.
84. I tried to learn drums, but my sense of timing is not so good. It is fun, though!
85. I wish for Hattie her father’s musical abilities.
86. Even with my fear of public speaking, I have always dreamed of being a great singer.
87. When I am not in a hurry, I like my handwriting.
88. I would absolutely hate living in Hollywood or L.A.
89. I love board games.
90. One of 3 “Bs” always sounds good. Beatles, Bob (Marley) or The Band.
91. I could live on grilled veggies, pizza, tofu stir fry and Chipotle burrito bowls.
92. Add chocolate and baked goods to that list.
93. At all times I have all the ingredients in my kitchen to make chocolate chip cookies.
94. I wish I could express myself better when I am angry or upset.
95. Does anyone really need or want to know this much about me?
96. I have become much less lazy as I’ve aged and become a wife and mom. I like that.
97. Hattie is my joy in life, but sometimes I miss my independence and freedom.
98. Compassion is a quality I am working on.
99. The older I get, the mellower my music becomes.
100. My life is pretty damn good.
Friday, August 17, 2007
My New Friend
For my Dad’s birthday, JKNJLL and BAH bought 2 tickets to Willie Nelson. We were excited to purchase something a little more fun than a new garden hose or drill bits. But alas, Mom and Dad got an opportunity to go on a swanky trip that week. Obviously staying in a super-lux condo in the mountains takes precedence over seeing an old pot smoking hippie croon. So, we are working on a replacement concert for them and selling the tickets for more than peanuts. This is where my new friend comes into play. Craigslist.org. L-O-V-E I-T. It took 2 seconds to list my ad. Within hours we had one offer, within a day had 3 more, and all offered over face value. Of course with Ticketmasters monopoly (yeah Supreme Court, I said MONOPOLY) and their rape of the common consumer to print out a simple ticket, face value is not really face value anymore. But I digress. My point is that I love craigslist. I have a new friend who is treating me well. We talked about doing eBay, but that takes several days, locks you in, and takes a cut. Plus you can’t pay cash and have to worry about mailing, PayPal, blah blah blah. Craigslist is only local people, and you cut out all middlemen and go directly buyer-seller. The woman who is purchasing our tix is from Lawrence and buying the tickets as a birthday gift for her boyfriend. I am meeting her at a McDonalds near my work. (A crowded McDonalds, Mom. No worries.) She will bring me cash, and I will bring her tix. Done deal. If it doesn’t work out for some reason, I have 3 other people’s emails to fall back on. Love it.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!
Hattie crawled forward for the first time yesterday! She has been stuck in reverse for a month or more, so this was a big milestone. Our baby is crawling….break out the baby gates! Pretty soon you won’t be able to take two steps in our house without maneuvering through a gate (we have many stairs). And I need to start wearing my sneakers everyday because the chase will be on.
Speaking of, thought I'd throw in a picture of Elton herself.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Koko, High Five
Last week a sales rep came in to meet with me briefly about some (expensive) lab equipment I had ordered. The meeting took all of 10 minutes. When the rep got up to leave and we were saying our goodbyes, he put his fist out to give me the “knuckle bump” or whatever the hell you call it. What the? Are handshakes becoming passé? I had met this person once prior to the meeting. I must say it threw me totally off guard, as I customarily put my hand into handshake position when I saw him lifting his hand. It was awkward and really annoyed me, quite frankly. If you are afraid of germs, skip the handshake and I won’t care a bit. But I did not just score the winning point in the big game, so save the high five-type crap for your homeys. Guess I have a new pet peeve. At least I rarely hear "Git er done" (ew.) anymore, so that's a bonus for the pet peeve department.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Hangin' in da crib
We've been entering Hattie's room lately to find this.
She has learned to sit up from a laying position and will scoot over and grab hold of her mobile buddies. She looks so proud of herself when I go in and find her doing it. Needless to say, the crib is moving down a notch today.
The screened porch is coming right along and looks soooooo awesome. I must say I am so happy with our handyman (friend of Brian's). He is rocking right along and the quality is very impressive. Its a million times nicer than the porch at our old house. I can't wait for it to be done -and the temp to be less than 105- so we can start using it! We are taking pictures of the progress and I will post when we're finishing up, hopefully in a couple days.
Happy weekend!
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Queen of Tomatoes
We had an influx of home-grown tomatoes filling our kitchen over the weekend. I think we had close to 20. While I love them with just salt & pepper, I don’t think my mouth could’ve handled quite that much acidity. So yesterday I turned domestic goddess and made big batches of pico de gallo, gazpacho, and fresh tomato and zucchini sauce. I was up to my armpits in tomato, but it was well worth it. Summer would not be summer without tomatoes. Or the farmer’s market. And this year the farmer’s market is carrying fun colors of vegetables. I have found that I LOVE orange tomatoes (very low acidity) and bright yellow zucchini (very sweet & mild). Even though the crowds are huge, I love bringing my own canvas bag and pretending I am a European woman picking out that day’s meals. Of course hopping into my car to drive 3 miles home destroys that dream. But I am an American. Where’d I park my Hummer anyway?
Monday, August 6, 2007
Spray This
Had a busy but fun weekend. Parties, cooking, and loads of power washing. We borrowed my cousin’s power washer to clean our patio in preparation for our new screened porch being installed this week. I was AMAZED at the difference. I never realized how black the concrete was. My first swipe over it looked like an oreo cookie. It made it fun to do…I love cleaning when I can see progress like that. (Hmm, maybe that will be my excuse to go longer in between house cleanings…) I had so much fun doing it that by the end I had sprayed our lawn furniture, garage, driveway, grills, lawn mower, and just about anything else I could find (damn neighbor’s cat wouldn’t come near me). I spent a total of about 5 hours doing it and my forearms could tell you as much. Ouch.
As I mentioned, we are having a porch put on this week off our kitchen. I can’t wait for it to be done. I have been feeling guilty that Hattie does not go outside as often as she should, which means none of us do. She still hates her jogging stroller, so I have resorted to working out to the exercise channel when she takes naps. The jogging stroller thing still makes no sense to me for a kid that likes to take car rides and loves to be outside. ??? But I digress. Our backyard is extremely buggy and there is not a good place to hang out right now. But this will not be the case by next week! We are hoping to make it very “room-like” – half walls painted white with screened tops, a good ceiling fan and sisal carpet. I anticipate spending tons of time out there. Will keep you posted.
As I mentioned, we are having a porch put on this week off our kitchen. I can’t wait for it to be done. I have been feeling guilty that Hattie does not go outside as often as she should, which means none of us do. She still hates her jogging stroller, so I have resorted to working out to the exercise channel when she takes naps. The jogging stroller thing still makes no sense to me for a kid that likes to take car rides and loves to be outside. ??? But I digress. Our backyard is extremely buggy and there is not a good place to hang out right now. But this will not be the case by next week! We are hoping to make it very “room-like” – half walls painted white with screened tops, a good ceiling fan and sisal carpet. I anticipate spending tons of time out there. Will keep you posted.
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