is having to take both of them shopping. Grocery shopping is at a new level of difficulty. I usually have a long list, as I plan meals every week and shop according to my meal plan. Therefore, every week is different things on the list, and so it takes longer than some people. Plus, I am a very slow shopper and decision maker. It takes me a little bit to decide between brands, or to check the sugar content on things, or figure out how many onions I will need for the week. Often times, when I have both kids with me, I end up leaving earlier than planned with not all of my list checked off. Which I hate. And then I have to go back a second time to get the rest of the stuff.
But that's not the worst. I can handle them at the store - Eva can be calmed down by opening up a bag of crackers or dried fruit - okay, sometimes candy - and she'll sit nicely in the cart and eat it. For a while. And Leighton can usually be soothed with a bottle or a pacifier.
One main issue right now is space. Leighton is still in his infant seat. I am planning on switching him soon to just putting him straight into the seat of the cart without bringing in his carseat since he's sitting up now. We haven't gotten there yet, though. So I put him in his seat in the basket of the cart. Because I'm sure you all remember that time when Eva, snapped into the cart, completely flipped out upside down and almost killed both of us from fright. So I don't put the cart up high. Which means Eva goes in the front seat, and Leighton goes in the basket. Leaving me approximately 3 square inches to put a whole week's worth of groceries in.
Yesterday I had filled the entire bottom of the cart (you know, by the floor between the wheels) and all the space on the sides of the cart and in front of Leighton's feet. I actually had to stack a few things ON TOP OF HIM. A bag of spinach. On his legs. That can't look right. One time I had to do the 2-cart thing. A total and complete circus. I've never worked up a sweat like that in a grocery store before, and I don't ever want to do it again.
But the point of this post is to tell you how shopping with two children makes me brain-dead. Every SINGLE time I have walked out of Target since having two children, I get to the car and find something in the bottom of the basket, usually hidden by the monstrous carseat, that I didn't pay for. Sometimes I have both children loaded in the car before I see it. So I get them out of the car, put them back in the stupid cart, and haul everything back into the store to pay for my inadvertently stolen items.
I did it this morning. There were a few placemats (which, by the way, might be the cutest things I have ever bought...they have owls and trees and birds...they are adorable) stuck on the side of the cart. They are mostly clear plastic and blended in with the cart. I cursed myself and went back inside to pay. At times like that, I wish my parents hadn't ever mentioned the importance of honesty. I wish I could just say, "Oh well," and put them in the car anyway, and drive peacefully home without making a second trip back into the store to stand in line. Actually, what I really wish is that I would find my brain somewhere and stop doing it altogether. What a pain.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Keeping me in line
2 funny things Eva did (this morning and yesterday)
1. I was sitting at the computer, and Eva was coloring on her easel behind me. My shirt must have come untucked, revealing a small portion of skin on my back. She came up, touched my skin, and said, "Oh no! Oh no, Mama!" She's keeping me modest.
2. This morning I, um...broke wind...and Eva said, "What was that? Scusey!" I have been trying to teach her to say, "Excuse me," and I couldn't stop laughing that she said it for me. Now who's teaching who good manners?
1. I was sitting at the computer, and Eva was coloring on her easel behind me. My shirt must have come untucked, revealing a small portion of skin on my back. She came up, touched my skin, and said, "Oh no! Oh no, Mama!" She's keeping me modest.
2. This morning I, um...broke wind...and Eva said, "What was that? Scusey!" I have been trying to teach her to say, "Excuse me," and I couldn't stop laughing that she said it for me. Now who's teaching who good manners?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
My best friend
I have a best friend. She's not your typical friend, I guess. She screams at me alot. And she ruins my stuff sometimes. The other day she even ripped a page out of my favorite notebook and tore it to shreds. And she's really only my best friend during the day, until my other best friend comes home. But still, she's one of my favorite people in the entire world. It's Eva. If you think I'm stupid for having an almost-2-year-old for a best friend...you should meet Eva.Every morning when she wakes up, I am always inexplicably, overwhelmingly happy to see her. Even though the night before I couldn't put her to bed fast enough. It's like she wakes up cuter than she was the day before. She always begs for things like cheese, yogurt (which, with her strange accent, is pronounced "ecoute"), and cookies. We eat treats together, like cookie dough.
And sometimes, she throws really big fits and tears apart cupboards or drawers. Like this morning, in a fit of rage, she started grabbing bowls and cups and hurling them onto the floor, for no reason. But lately, I decided that I can't blame her. When I'm in a bad mood, I also have an urge to throw things and scream. She's just like me.
But she makes me laugh harder than anyone. She makes hilarious faces and repeats things I say - full sentences - that crack me up. She's starting to love the camera, and when I say cheese, she gives it to me.
{This is her trying to say cheese and again at the same time.]
Just now, after being in her room for naptime for over an hour, I heard her pounding on the door and yelling for me. I took a break from typing this post and went upstairs. I opened the door to see books strewn everywhere. There was hardly place to walk. (Once again, she reminds me of myself - I used to do that when I was little.) She had gotten a drawer open (which with her dresser is no easy feat) and pulled out the Halloween costumes and the word flashcards. Oh, and an old diaper was dug out of the trashcan and sitting opened on her bed. (Thankfully, not a dirty one!) Due to the impossibility of locating her pacifier this afternoon, she refused to sleep. So I caved and gave her one of Leighton's. Which she puts in her mouth all the time anyway, so it's no big deal.
What am I going to do when she grows up? I wish she could stay a toddler forever. I don't want her to be a teenager and think her mom is lame. I want her to be my best friend forever. Or, as I would write in her yearbook, my BFF. Even with the tantrums and the tearing of books, she's still my best friend. I love you, Moolicious.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
I'm done
There are some nights I'm just done.
I'm done wearing jeans and normal clothes.
I'm done wearing a bra.
I'm done dealing with my kids.
I'm done worrying about things I need to get done.
I'm done thinking.
I'm just ready to put on my pajamas, get a treat, and watch TV until bedtime. So here I go.
I'm done wearing jeans and normal clothes.
I'm done wearing a bra.
I'm done dealing with my kids.
I'm done worrying about things I need to get done.
I'm done thinking.
I'm just ready to put on my pajamas, get a treat, and watch TV until bedtime. So here I go.
More France
This was my first school year there...3rd grade, I think.
I cropped in on myself because Robin wasn't in my class that year.
There is beautiful Robin on the left. You can see I circled him with green marker, many years ago. I'm just a few down from him, making a weird face.
Gosh, I think he got cuter this year, don't you? He's on the top row, second from the left. And I'm on the second row, far left, wearing a strange patchwork-looking sweater. My childhood style leaves much to be desired...but Robin loved me anyway. Actually, in all honestly, I think this was unrequited love. He didn't care about me at all, except for maybe liking all the attention from the American girl. Oh, Stephanie. It's a good thing you grew up, eventually. 
I cropped in on myself because Robin wasn't in my class that year.
There is beautiful Robin on the left. You can see I circled him with green marker, many years ago. I'm just a few down from him, making a weird face.
Gosh, I think he got cuter this year, don't you? He's on the top row, second from the left. And I'm on the second row, far left, wearing a strange patchwork-looking sweater. My childhood style leaves much to be desired...but Robin loved me anyway. Actually, in all honestly, I think this was unrequited love. He didn't care about me at all, except for maybe liking all the attention from the American girl. Oh, Stephanie. It's a good thing you grew up, eventually. Old Flames: Robin Lecat
Shortly before I turned 9 years old, my family moved to Paris, France. There, I became fluent in French, developed a taste for Camembert cheese, and fell in love with a couple exotic French men. Well, boys, actually - they were all my same age. The most memorable of my French crushes is named Robin Lecat. Oh, how I loved Robin. (Please don't mentally pronounce it Robin like Robin Hood. It is Robin like Chopin - like Robe-ahn.) He had blonde hair, blue eyes, and a typically French horrible sense of style. (They say the height of fashion is in France. But I certainly didn't see any of that in my elementary school La Sante des Carrierres.)I dreamed of Robin joining the church and marrying me. (Me dreaming of marrying people was a prominent theme of my youth, as you will see.) I didn't think too much about the logistics of the country in which we would spend our lives together, because at the time France was home for me. I didn't really miss America, although I missed things about it. Like peanut butter. Anyway, we didn't have a language barrier, so in my mind, there was nothing stopping our eternal bliss. And that smile...oh, it was enough to melt any girl's heart.
Of course, after my 2-year crush, we moved back to America and Robin left my life forever. But not my memory. No, no. I will never forget Robin and his beautiful smile...and his blue sweatshirt with the red sleeves.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Pike Place Market, Jan. 24
My own personal Sleepless in Seattle
Eva enjoyed a delicious organic apple.
The day I turned 25, double chin included
Andrew took me to the Melting Pot for dinner (a longtime dream of mine), where we enjoyed a delicious 4-course meal and over 3 uninterrupted hours of conversation.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Life's accomplishments
Instructions: Take the following list and bold the items you have completed or experienced.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been on television
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Totally copied a post from someone else's blog to your own
47/100
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been on television
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Totally copied a post from someone else's blog to your own
47/100
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Temporarily Lost
Remember last year how I had a prolonged obsession with LOST? I must admit that that very show has been what's prevented me from posting in so long. See, I had completely missed out on Season 4. And Season 5 was close to starting, so I had to hurry and catch up. So everytime I got on the computer, I watched Lost instead of blogging. Productive, I know. And a little embarassing.
But now I am all caught up, Season 5 started last night, and I am back to normal. Well, kind of. Andrew's parents are coming to visit - they arrive this afternoon. And tomorrow is my birthday. I will be 25 years old, which is so strange. So normal is relative, I guess. By normal I mean I'm not wasting as much time watching dramatic scenes on a jungle island in my every spare minute.
In other news, we did take the highly anticipated trip to IKEA, and it was fabulous. We have now completely redone the living room, and I am in love with it. I'll post pictures...someday. For now, I'm just checking in to say I'm alive. Unlike John Locke. WHAT is that all about?
But now I am all caught up, Season 5 started last night, and I am back to normal. Well, kind of. Andrew's parents are coming to visit - they arrive this afternoon. And tomorrow is my birthday. I will be 25 years old, which is so strange. So normal is relative, I guess. By normal I mean I'm not wasting as much time watching dramatic scenes on a jungle island in my every spare minute.
In other news, we did take the highly anticipated trip to IKEA, and it was fabulous. We have now completely redone the living room, and I am in love with it. I'll post pictures...someday. For now, I'm just checking in to say I'm alive. Unlike John Locke. WHAT is that all about?
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Clearing the traffic jam
It so rarely happens anymore that I go for 3 days without blogging. I guess that's what happens when Andrew comes home, we tear apart the house, rearrange all the furniture, and repaint all the walls. We're getting ready for his parents to come.
Of course, whenever I go days without blogging, the things I want to write about get clogged up in my head. Like a big traffic jam of things to remember. Here are just a few...abbreviated, of course.
-I would like to thank my dad for having daily scripture study with us as long as I can remember. I have always been very familiar with the language of the scriptures, and today I became thankful for that.
-I have been thinking about the phrase, "What would Jesus do?" And I'm trying to decide how He would handle incredibly obnoxious telemarketers. Let me know if you have any ideas.
-Eva's three favorite things in the world are Henry, sippy, and paci. She has to have all three things at nap and bed time. Andrew and I have (rather irreverently) dubbed it Eva's Trinity.
-I have also been thinking about why there is such tremendous guilt associated with Mormon women and childbearing. It is an emotional topic for every woman, I'm sure, but I think us LDS womenfolk take it especially personally. Maybe because of the whole "multiply and replenish the earth" thing. It seems like everyone feels anxiety over something involving children - how many, how far apart, etc. Please tell me your thoughts on that as well.
-I would like to welcome back my shin splints. Thanks for joining me on my journey to the race, fellows. You won't make it any easier. But guess what? YOU CAN'T STOP ME.
-I love couscous.
-Oh, and tomorrow I'm going to heaven. I mean, Ikea. To spend my birthday money from Nanny and Papa. I LOVE knowing that I am walking in there with money and I'm guaranteed to walk out with something. Or alot of somethings, hopefully.
-Tonight Eva was in a royally BAD mood. It started to go downhill fast after I got her out of the tub and was trying to brush her teeth. She did NOT want me to do that, so she ended up with a bloody gum and I gave up. Then, in a fit of rage, she threw herself down on the floor and smacked her mouth, giving herself a big purple fat lip. Then she screamed so hard that she threw up. And I stepped in it. Needless to say, we were glad to put her in bed.
Of course, whenever I go days without blogging, the things I want to write about get clogged up in my head. Like a big traffic jam of things to remember. Here are just a few...abbreviated, of course.
-I would like to thank my dad for having daily scripture study with us as long as I can remember. I have always been very familiar with the language of the scriptures, and today I became thankful for that.
-I have been thinking about the phrase, "What would Jesus do?" And I'm trying to decide how He would handle incredibly obnoxious telemarketers. Let me know if you have any ideas.
-Eva's three favorite things in the world are Henry, sippy, and paci. She has to have all three things at nap and bed time. Andrew and I have (rather irreverently) dubbed it Eva's Trinity.
-I have also been thinking about why there is such tremendous guilt associated with Mormon women and childbearing. It is an emotional topic for every woman, I'm sure, but I think us LDS womenfolk take it especially personally. Maybe because of the whole "multiply and replenish the earth" thing. It seems like everyone feels anxiety over something involving children - how many, how far apart, etc. Please tell me your thoughts on that as well.
-I would like to welcome back my shin splints. Thanks for joining me on my journey to the race, fellows. You won't make it any easier. But guess what? YOU CAN'T STOP ME.
-I love couscous.
-Oh, and tomorrow I'm going to heaven. I mean, Ikea. To spend my birthday money from Nanny and Papa. I LOVE knowing that I am walking in there with money and I'm guaranteed to walk out with something. Or alot of somethings, hopefully.
-Tonight Eva was in a royally BAD mood. It started to go downhill fast after I got her out of the tub and was trying to brush her teeth. She did NOT want me to do that, so she ended up with a bloody gum and I gave up. Then, in a fit of rage, she threw herself down on the floor and smacked her mouth, giving herself a big purple fat lip. Then she screamed so hard that she threw up. And I stepped in it. Needless to say, we were glad to put her in bed.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Yesterday's happy surprise
It was almost 10:30pm. I hadn't heard from Andrew in a full 48 hours. Which wouldn't be a big deal, except he had told me he would call. I was starting to worry. I don't ever worry about him while he's gone - his job is very safe - but I started thinking about things that could go wrong. Did something happen with the plane? Were they stuck somewhere weird?
I tried calling him on Skype for (literally) the 38th time. Still, no connection. I sighed and started closing out the computer to go to bed.
Just then, the phone rang. It said,"Webb Andrew."
"Hello?" I answered brethlessly.
"Hi, honey," he answered.
"Honey, where in the world are you?"
"I'm home."
"WHAT? You're home?"
"Yep. I'm home just for tonight."
And indeed, he was. He arrived home on our doorstep a few minutes later. Turns out they had encountered some weather and airplane issues, so they stopped back home for the night.
He had to leave again to finish the mission early this afternoon, but we got a night and a morning with the "missing link " of our family. It was wonderful. I definitely have to say, that was the best surprise the military has ever given me. So thank you, George Bush, for making one of your last acts as president one of your greatest. ;)
I tried calling him on Skype for (literally) the 38th time. Still, no connection. I sighed and started closing out the computer to go to bed.
Just then, the phone rang. It said,"Webb Andrew."
"Hello?" I answered brethlessly.
"Hi, honey," he answered.
"Honey, where in the world are you?"
"I'm home."
"WHAT? You're home?"
"Yep. I'm home just for tonight."
And indeed, he was. He arrived home on our doorstep a few minutes later. Turns out they had encountered some weather and airplane issues, so they stopped back home for the night.
He had to leave again to finish the mission early this afternoon, but we got a night and a morning with the "missing link " of our family. It was wonderful. I definitely have to say, that was the best surprise the military has ever given me. So thank you, George Bush, for making one of your last acts as president one of your greatest. ;)
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Things I really don't like
John Mayer
My arms
Long hair / facial hair on men...I guess I don't like facial hair on women, either
Bed, Bath & Beyond
Plain walls
Waiting for phone calls from my husband
The sound of styrofoam
Feeling left out of a conversation
1990s scrapbook paper
The color of my dining room walls
Unloading the dishwasher
Putting away folded laundry
Boring mail
Dark chocolate
Guilt over stupid things
How lazy I am sometimes
Changing a trillion diapers everyday
Stress
My dirty kitchen floor
Waiting for phone calls from my husband...wait, did I already say that? Well, I REALLY don't like that.
Trying to lose weight
But I love Ikea, my red toenails, thinking of ways to spend my birthday money (thank you Nanny and Papa!!), Pandora (Colbie Caillat radio station), making lists, funny memories, vacuuming, good books, saying my nighttime prayers, bright colors, my treadmill, and spending time alone with my boyfriend Leighton while Eva takes a nap and having him suck on my chin.
That's all I wanted to say.
My arms
Long hair / facial hair on men...I guess I don't like facial hair on women, either
Bed, Bath & Beyond
Plain walls
Waiting for phone calls from my husband
The sound of styrofoam
Feeling left out of a conversation
1990s scrapbook paper
The color of my dining room walls
Unloading the dishwasher
Putting away folded laundry
Boring mail
Dark chocolate
Guilt over stupid things
How lazy I am sometimes
Changing a trillion diapers everyday
Stress
My dirty kitchen floor
Waiting for phone calls from my husband...wait, did I already say that? Well, I REALLY don't like that.
Trying to lose weight
But I love Ikea, my red toenails, thinking of ways to spend my birthday money (thank you Nanny and Papa!!), Pandora (Colbie Caillat radio station), making lists, funny memories, vacuuming, good books, saying my nighttime prayers, bright colors, my treadmill, and spending time alone with my boyfriend Leighton while Eva takes a nap and having him suck on my chin.
That's all I wanted to say.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
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