Thursday, July 23, 2009

My kids are weird

While I was searching for something in the fridge, Evan exclaimed "Ah!" and triumphantly snatched the bottle of maple syrup. He then wrapped it in a receiving blanket, kissed it, and has been carrying it around the house for the last seven minutes.

:::

We were playing Hide & Seek when I found Ethan under the dining room table. "Do you want to play again, Mom?" he asked. Well, of course, who wouldn't. (Ugg.) "OK, you count and I'll hide wight here," he instructed. Good thing I had a hint like that; it's tough enough to find Evan standing right behind me, giggling.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Home again

Reporting live from under a pile of laundry (photography by Tessa) (hair/makeup/dirt by Nature):


Fired up:
Ready to go:
Tessa & Ethan's view fron the hammock:




Fishing:




A cozy place to make a snow angel:


Family portrait, Fishing Edition:

More fishing:


Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion (hint: it involves fishing).


Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Too much

My mom and my aunt Laura were here for a few days, doing all of my work, and I still couldn't manage to get anything written. Not only do I feel guilty about letting all of you down, I have been rationalizing that the empty baby books are okay because of all the information (and wisdom) I am documenting on the worldwide Interweb. But here we are with more empty pages, each one admonishing me to get a grip on my life. Some people go to work every day, for crying out loud. You don't see them stressing out because their DVR list is 94% full and they are about to leave on a weeklong vacation. Speaking of vacation, I still need to pack and do a few million other things so today's tidbit will be less wisdom and more random things I don't want to forget. (What, you don't remember seeing any wisdom here? Oh, maybe I'm thinking of someone else's blog.)

Ethan is spending less time as a puppy and more time as "Dad". You may also call him "Matt" or "Ethan's Dad" but never under any circumstances are you allowed to address him as "Ethan." That part is currently being played by Evan, although he hasn't figured that out so does not respond to directions from "Dad" and also is disappointed 10 times a day when Ethan, I mean "Matt" announces "Dad's home!," referring, of course, to himself and not to Evan's beloved Dada. The good news is that "Dad" does not insist on eating out of a bowl on the floor.

Evan now says off, which has slightly decreased the number of times a day he says up, and it is a very useful word as he has appointed himself Supreme Leader of Anything With An On/Off Switch. He says see you wayteh and blows kisses as he zooms away. He also asks 'huh' all the time and actually I wouldn't mind forgetting that one because it's really annoying. He is very much into pretending right now as well. Being a puppy is his favorite but occasionally he moos and insists that you feed him from a sippy cup as though he is a baby calf drinking from a bottle. Oh, you know what, maybe I should say that being a shark is his favorite activity because OOWWWWWW with the biting.

Well look at this! I can cross update blog off my list and go on to, damn, weed garden. It's going to be a long night. See you all next week!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Briefly

I wish I had a really good excuse for neglecting this poor little blog, like I was busy writing a novel or finding the cure for cancer, but this is not the place for grandiose fibs. (That place, obviously, would be among a group of fishermen. Or perhaps a new mothers' play group: 'My baby slept through the night at 2 days old.' 'My baby aced his early admission exam to Harvard.') And if this blog had feelings and felt neglected, all it would have to do is look out at my garden for a shocking portrait of REAL neglect. Or look at the boys' long, filthy fingernails. Shudder.

Instead I've been: Playing 'puppy' with Evan, decluttering (feels so good), potty training, trying to choose the perfect camera, finalizing details for upcoming vacations, trying to keep the bucket calves in their pen, caring for the screamingest infant I've ever known (and I've known some pretty screamy infants), praying, raking hay, feeding people, swimming, and, oh yeah, occasionally going to WORK. So far I am loving my job and Matt is loving the extra time at home so that's working out well. It's been quite challenging to get out the door at a specific time but I am trying to act like an adult about it. (Specifically, an adult who can manage a schedule, not an adult who has been doing whatever she pleases for the past 4 years).

Ethan is spending this week at my parents' house. We are missing him but it has been fun to have this one-on-one time with Evan. He has grown up so much lately- practicing big boy postures like leaning against the wall on one leg and standing with his hands on his hips; really helping around the house; and choosing imaginative play games that actually make sense. He uses new words everyday and continues to communicate very clearly with non-verbal cues as needed. Once in a while I can step back from the everyday madness and really look at the boys. I am constantly surprised and delighted by what amazing little people they are. I can't wait to get my hands on Ethan this weekend. Til then, I think I'll be able to keep myself busy.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Facebook cop-out, part 3

1. What bill do you hate paying the most? Insurance
2. Do you miss being a child? Not at all, I love being a mom.
3. Chore you hate the most? Oh so many... cleaning the bathtub, putting away laundry, vacumning.
4. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner? Um, prom?
5. If you could go back and change one thing, what would it be? I would not have bought a bunch of size 0 pants right before I got pregnant with Ethan. Yeah, I'm still bitter.
6. Name of your first grade teacher? Mrs. Wylie
7. What do you really want to be doing right now? Sleeping.
8. What did you want to be when you grew up? As a child, I wanted to be a vet. As a teen, a social worker. (Check.)
9. How many colleges did you attend? 1, Dana.
10. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now? Relatively clean.
11. What are your thoughts on gas prices? Oil companies are sticking it to us.
12. First thought when the alarm went off this morning? What the f* is that noise?!
13. Last thought before going to sleep last night? Sh*t, I didn't put the clothes in the dryer.
14. What famous person would you like to have dinner with? Barack & Michelle Obama. And Jon Stewart. And Mike Rowe. And Dr. Sears. And... just kidding.
15. Have you ever crashed your vehicle? Umm, yeah. A few. Okay, a lot.
16. If you didn't have to work, would you volunteer? I would love to volunteer more, especially at church.
17. Get up early or sleep in? In theory, get up early. In reality, sleep as long as possible.
18. What is your favorite cartoon character? The Man in the Yellow Hat
20. When did you first start feeling old? When I got married, now I look back and can't believe how young I was
21. Favorite lunch meat? turkey
22. What do you get every time you go into Wal-Mart? toilet paper
23. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual? no, it's a lifesaver
24. Favorite movie you wouldn't want anyone to find out about? Enchanted - I'm not afraid to admit it.
25. What's your favorite drink?Diet Pepsi... I only wish I could take it intravenously.
26. Who[m] from high school would you like to run in to? Dawn, with Preston of course
27. What radio station is your car radio tuned to right now? NPR
28. Sopranos or Desperate Housewives? Neither, my limited TV time is dedicated to the Daily Show
29. Worst relationship mistake that you wish you could take back: Taking out all my frustrations on Matt
30. Do you like the person that sits directly across from you at work? yeah, I like my kids (most days)
31. Have you ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purpose? not yet
32. Last book you finished reading? Marvin K. Mooney, Will You Please Go Now by Dr. Seuss
33. Do you have a teddy bear? They've all been commandeered.
34. Do you go to church? Not as much as I should and as I would like to.