Broken and Chubby

(Okay, I confess, this is not actually the leg that is broken, but this one looked a lot worse so I used it for dramatic effect)

So it was official about a week ago, the leg is broken.

When James was first taken to the hospital he kept telling them that his left leg felt broken (Sadly, this is not his first) but the X rays didn't show anything so the doctor finally just sent us home with crutches.

After visiting his family in New York, James' mom recommended he get an MRI to check the leg one more time. We did that and found that he did have a broken leg (whoops) and also a torn Meniscus.




So now he hops around on his "robot leg", as Laney calls it, and will for the next few weeks. In the last appointment he had, the doctor said he might be able to ditch the crutches in tw0 weeks, but the brace will be on for about ten.

So here is the final injury line-up: 4 stiches, broken nose, broken toe, broken left leg, torn meniscus, sprained ankle, and a very bruised right leg. Not too bad for his first scooter accident.

And because he won't be riding a scooter anymore, it will be his last.


In other news, you can all breathe easy, Liam is still growing


And at this rate he will be bigger than Laney on Tuesday. We are realizing more and more how lucky we are that he is so big and she is so small. For example, the other day I heard her say "look mommy". When I did, she was sitting on his belly and squeezing his cheeks (her new favorite way to pass the time). However, thanks to her size and his, he didn't even flinch. In fact I think he enjoys her as much as she does him.


And why wouldn't he?

Sweet dreams are made of these

The other night I dreamed a dream. 

And in this dream there was a good friend from high school and the boy she dated. 

(In the dream the boy had a crush on me, poor girl, but that is beside the point)

At the end of the dream I was talking to the girl when the boy came in. 

He was tall.

He was dark.

He was handsome.

And as he got closer he opened up his mouth and began to say...

(Well not exactly say, he more made sounds like...)

Grumble, grumble, grumble, grumble.

He went on like this for about 2 minutes.

And then I woke up.

And found that instead of the boy in my dreams grumbling,

It was the boy OF my dreams.

(Not James.  Liam.)

Isn't that funny?

 

RIP Scooty

Last week, shortly after James left for work I got a phone call.

"Hello Monica, my name is Andrew. Your husband asked me to call you and let you know he's been in an accident. He told me to tell you he's okay."

And that's when I heard the sirens.

When James and I moved here, we debated what to do to get him to and from school everyday. We couldn't afford another car (or the parking pass), we lived too far away for him to bike everyday and the bus system here isn't that great so we did what we thought was the perfect thing: We bought him a scooter.

We knew that scooters were less safe than cars and that there was always the chance that someone wouldn't see him and he could get in an accident, but I don't think either of us thought it would really happen.

But it did.

Now James is using crutches to get around, trying not to bump his broken nose when he is kissing our girls, and biting his tongue when I step on his broken toe (again. Sorry honey).

But he's alive. And has a toe to step on, a nose to kis and legs to walk on. We still don't know what is wrong with his knees so he is getting an MRI right now. But he's alive.
And I think we are going to get a new car.

So In Love

James has a good friend from his home town who moved here not long ago. Chad doesn't have kids and so his life is a bit different from ours. The other day he was over and while we were all talking, he grabbed our camera and started taking pictures. I think he found us slightly amusing. The above picture is just one that he took. I like it because it's so true to life. Here are a few more that we have taken lately.

My first Liam kiss.

Liam in his tie shirt our friend made him. He's such a little man.

Fatty

We weighed him today on a friends scale. 14 lbs.
Tomorrow it will be official because he goes to the Dr.
At 2 months, Laney was 8lbs 7oz and Eliza was 11lbs 13oz.
At this rate he'll be bigger than Laney in a few more months.


It's probably a good thing too.

In other news, Laney decided to get into the punk look and die her hair pink. It's kind of hard to see in the picture, but she has nice pink highlights in the front of her hair, compliments of some Crystal Light that spilled in her bed while she was sleeping.

We have washed her hair and it has lightened up a lot, but I have too admit, I kind of like it and will be a little bit sad to see her hair back to normal.




We also got hair cuts (I actually cut Laney's a week ago, but our friend Shelly was kind enough to make it a little more even). I got my haircut as well but nobody wanted to take my picture.

And now we're done.

Unless you want to hear about how we're not going to Utah anymore in July (boo!) because James got a summer job (yay!). So we will be less poor, do less driving, spend less money, see less people and have way less fun.

But we do get to go visit Nicole after she moves to Ohio!

Okay, that's all now.

Two

Oh

How

I

Love

This
Big

Little

Girl!

Today when Laney woke up and James went to get her out of her crib he said to her "Laney, guess what today is?" Eliza rolled over in her bed and said "Laney, it's your birthday!" And Laney said

No! It's not my birthday Eliza!

Eventually she gave in and even let us sing happy birthday to her (although I did have to help Liam sing to her first to get her in the mood). She is so head strong, so smart, so funny and I can't wait to see what the rest of her life brings. Happy Birthday Laney!


(Just as a side note, please don't judge me too harshly now that you have seen Laney's "cake". I was going to make another one. Really I was. But then I realized that Laney doesn't care yet and Little Debbie makes such a good brownie and it even has sprinkles on it!)

Four

When Eliza was born I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. Don't get me wrong, if you would have asked me back then if I knew how to raise children I would have told you very humbly "Oh no, but I have worked with children for several years and I have nieces..." and in my mind I would have been saying "parenting is easy. You just have to be consistent. And only feed them healthy things. And never yell. And Bathe them twice a day. And put cute little hair bows in their hair. And teach them to read when they are two. And..."

Then I had a child.

Eliza is my first. She was my first baby to smile, laugh, sit, crawl, walk, talk, spit, hug, kiss, jump and sing.

She is also my first to ever cry, throw mud, eat dirt, wear my clothes, drink toilet water, hide in the dryer, spray me with a hose, paint her sister, and pick her nose.

If you were to ask me now if I know how to raise children I would very proudly say "absolutely not." But I know how to try and I even know how to occasionally succeed. But mostly I know how to love my children, and in the end that matters most to me.

Happy Birthday Eliza! You are a beautiful ballerina and the first baby I ever loved so much!

Daddy's in charge: Part Deux

Much like the other day, I came out of the shower today to find James in his usual daddy-in-charge position. What I wasn't expecting to find was Eliza holding our miniature hymn book and singing hymns with Laney (although this is totally normal behavior for my children) (you know, no fighting, no back-talking, no whining and definitely no movie watching. Just hymns, prayers, and hugs at our house. We're what you call "the perfect family") (and my house is clean too) (and I never wear pajamas in the daytime).

So my question is this:

Why can my husband sleep anywhere, anytime, in basically any position while I have to have quiet-with just a bit of white noise, a pillow, blanket and my kids distracted by either sleep or at least a movie?

From now on we have a new rule at our house. When mommy and daddy both want a nap Sunday afternoon and the kids don't, mommy gets the nap and daddy is in charge. Win-win situation, don't you think?

PS
Notice how James wakes up in the middle of the song and before the video ends he's asleep again. I rest my case.

Some things for you to think about...

I came out of the shower and found this.
It's always WAY more fun when daddy's in charge.

Strawberries are on sale so I decided to make some Strawberry Jam.
But I've decided to name it Sugar Jam because there is an absurd amount of sugar in there.
Yum.

Liam has a twin cousin named Grant. Liam is 2 (3?) hours older.
I don't think they are identical but we won't know for sure until we get the DNA test back.

I wouldn't suggest putting a pillow in the washer and/or dryer.

2 dollars for gently used ballet clothes = hours of fun
(and a nice break for mommy)

Liam learned to smile (and as you can see, it's contagious)

He's a lady's man

Am I breaking some kind of social rule if I tell you that I think I make some cute babies? Okay fine, instead I'll tell you what an amazing photographer my friend Linda is and I'll let you tell me how beautiful my children are...

Do we have a deal?

Family of Five

Well, we made it. Liam has been in the world now for one week and I think it's safe to say that we like him.

But before I get into all of that, I would first like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your kind comments and well wishes. We are very blessed to have so many friends. James was very proud of himself after that last post because it received the most comments. I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that he was announcing the birth of our son. I am just flattered that people thought I wrote it. I think he did a much better job than I usually do. Plus he called me a "hot chick". He's a good one.

The next person I am going to publicly thank is Grandma Bunsies. My sister and I were due the same day, both induced a week early, both attempting VBACs and both ending up with C sections and 8+ pound hunks. Although my mom is super woman, she is not (yet) able to be in two places at once. Lucky for me I have a mom-in-law who was willing and able to come and help me so that my sister could have our mother. Betsy has been cleaning and cooking and taking my girls to the store and buying them shoes and letting me sleep for a week and a half now. I lose her today and I'm sure I will cry. Thanks Grandma. We're going to miss you.

Almost as much as you will miss us I am sure. (in case you can't tell, Grandma also let Eliza do her hair)

And now I will give you a photo essay of our life over the last week and a half.

First I was pregnant and we colored eggs.
(Yes, I was really that big)

Then we took pictures.

Next we put on lipstick.

Finally we had a baby.

And we are currently in love.

Thanks again everyone for everything. Especially those of you who have fed us or taken care of my girls so I could do doctors appointments or just have a break. We are in love with you too.

The world is now one Noonan richer.

I must first credit my good friend Stevy with the title. On Saturday, he sent a text message that said, "I assume the world is now one Noonan richer?" I liked the sound of it.

We had a boy (read: sure to be brilliant state champion wrestler/gentleman who keeps all of the commandments).

I'm always surprised at how readily people will tell me "Well, now you can quit having kids - because you got your boy." Admittedly, I'm pretty excited about having a son. He was, however, not necessarily the reason we decided to have children. We love all of our kids so much, and I'm sure we'll have more before all is said and done - after all, we're only 18 (get it? It's funny because we're actually older than 18).  

That said, here he is, after 39 weeks of gestational anticipation, the current center of attention in our home: 

Liam Richard Noonan. 

Liam was born on Saturday, April 11 at 7:3somethingish. He was 20 inches tall (when he stood up) and weighed 8lbs 8oz, which is approximately Monica's pre-pregnancy weight. Needless to say, he came via cesarean delivery. 

Here he is in his first time hanging out with a hot chick (I'm pretty sure he's blushing here):

This was actually the first time Monica held him (almost 4 hours after he was born). So that photo is actually capturing real-life bliss. I love it.

Eliza and Laney are so excited about their brother... and their new dresses (courtesy of Grandma Bunsies... and all of the time they have been spending with said Bunsies, who is the owner of the arms supporting Liam below.

I don't really have time to post more, but Monica wanted me to get something up here (this is my first time blogging - how'd I do?) But I will share one quick story:

When they took Liam to the nursery, they put a thermometer on him - it's essentially a wire that is held to his chest by a heart-shaped sticker. He immediately reached up and yanked it off. When the nurse said, "Hey mister, put that back on there" and reached for the sticker, Liam peed at her.

That's my boy.

Sleep

Do you want to know why they're so tired?

It's because Laney had her first Night Terror last night.

Not fun.

She began screaming at about 11:30 and didn't stop until after midnight. All we could figure out was "NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!" and "Different one!"

You're supposed to just let them freak out until they eventually fall back asleep, but we didn't know that yet so we woke her up (which is not an easy task). Then once she was awake she wanted to have a party so we all drank chocolate milk and watched Elmo. When we were finished, she cuddled James on the couch and told him all about the lion, Swiper the Fox, and a bum (still haven't figured that one out yet) that were all in our livingroom. Because she was talking so much, I decided to record some of it. Because I recorded it, I had to put some of it on my blog. Because it's on my blog, you have to watch it (well, listen to it. It was dark and so you can't actually see anything).




In case you can't understand it all, I will translate the best part. Her prayer.

Me: Do you want to say a prayer?

Laney: Yeah, I bless bum

Me: Okay, you bless bum, say it out loud

Laney: I'll say loud, bum
(and then beginning her prayer)Bless bum, bless lion come, ?, bless my drink, chocolate milk. Amen bum.

It was almost worth the late night just to have her say that prayer. And to get the picture of her sleeping today with a doll in her mouth.

And now I'm going to sleep. Goodnight.

I love sunshine

I got a sunburn the other day...

A sunburn!

Do you know what this means?

Sunshine

Birds

Green

Flowers

Bikes

Parks

Swings

Barbecues

Flip-flops

Swimming

And best of all... babies (well one baby anyway)!

Only three more weeks to go! Wish me luck...

Ballroom

Eliza was born to lead. Zach was born to follow. They are the perfect couple.

(And in case you were wondering, dancing like this can't be forced. Zach and Eliza came up with it all on their own. I just took advantage by playing paparazzi)

Would you like fries with that?

Yes, I'd like a boy with dark hair, dark skin, blue eyes, and straight teeth please. Oh, and could you make him six feet tall (when he's grown up, of course), muscular build and give him a sense of humor? Thank you.

What Are You Doing in That Tree McFly?

Okay, I have a confession to make. I am a stalker. Don't be alarmed though, I don't look through windows, or drive by houses (that ended long ago with my marriage) I look at the blogs of people whose lives I have nothing to do with, but happen to be curious enough about to check every now-and-then.

Tonight it happened like this: A certain person from high school invited me to her blog. I noticed a link to a name that sounded familiar and I clicked on it. Then, one thing led to another and you know the rest. I peeped and you might as well call me Tom.

So here is the question of the day - Am I normal? Does everyone do this? I mean, if you don't make your blog private, aren't you basically inviting weirdos from your past to look through the window of your blog (not that I'm too much of a weirdo, just a slight one. That should really give you comfort)? And, is that reason enough to make your blog private?

Just so you know, I'm personally not too worried about this because most people from my past probably don't remember me or have any interest in what my kids are eating this time, or what has been breeding in my garage. Besides, I for one am glad for those lurking in the shadows because occasionally they reveal themselves and I get to make a new blog friend. See, I'm not weird, just lonely.

Now I will post pictures of my family that have absolutely nothing to do with this post. Why? Because this is my blog and I can do whatever I want to. Not to mention there are some sweet photos on my computer just waiting to be shown to those who know and love me (and those who don't really know me or love me, but are curious enough to look at them anyway) and tomorrow is valentines day (get it sweet, love, I should be a professional writer with all the metaphors and symbolism I am using in this post).

My Asian princesses in their Chinese clothes.
I'm pretty sure Eliza was almost as excited to get these clothes as she was to see her daddy again.

Daddy and his girls when he was finally home from Hong Kong

Happy (late) birthday Nicole. We made you a cake and ate it.

Happy New Year
My baby boy will be an ox, just in case you were wondering.

Laney is wearing one of my old dresses.
She was also eating a whole can of frosting with her fingers.

Pinning the lips on Mrs. Valentine

Yummy

Tonight's family home evening lesson:
"I Am a Child of God"

Tonight's treat:
Popsicles and ice cream (most of us just had one or the other)

Please excuse the mush, I'm feeling lonely

Have I ever told you about the time when Eliza had the problem with flies in her microwave?

Let me fill you in.

Eliza came and got me one day because she had a problem. "I can't get the flies to stop coming out of the microwave," she told me. I had no idea what she was talking about so she offered to show me. We went into her room where she opened up her little play kitchen microwave and sure enough, a few little fruit flies came flying out. I also noticed something inside the microwave and immediately knew that this was not a job for mom, it was a job for dad.

After being summoned, James came in and inspected the fly producing microwave. Again, when the door was opened, several flies flew out. But this time James had a good look at what was causing this little problem. A banana. One that had clearly been making flies for several days. I did what any one else would have (except James of course), I covered my eyes. James was left to do the dirty work. I won't describe the scene to you, but I will remind you of the biology of a fly. First there's the egg, then there's the little nasty baby, then the fly. We had plenty of nasty babies partying in there too (or so I was told).

Well, the banana and its friends were disposed of and the microwave was sanitized, and all was good in the Eliza's world again. We did have a very long talk about the kind of things we put in her microwave, and I tried to traumatize her enough that she wouldn't put any more bananas in secret places (this was actually one of several bananas we had found that week). And I was reminded once again why I love my husband. He does the dirty work.

Which brings me to my point (are you glad?). James is gone and I miss him.

Often when talking to other mothers about kids and the dirty work that comes with them, it is pointed out that mothers are the ones getting thrown up on, they are the ones changing the nasty diapers and wiping the gross noses. Well, in our family that is not the case. James is always the one to get thrown up on (at least 4 times this vacation). He's also the one to clean up the mess. He changes many of the dirty diapers and noses and he never complains. Never.

Now before you pass judgment and think I'm a mean wife because I only miss him because he can't clean up the mess, let me point out that since he's been gone, no one has thrown up (except me, but that's different) and there have been very few yucky things to clean. I miss him because I love him and I love him because he is who he is. I'm just trying to illustrate to you who he is. The best way to do that is by talking about throw up.

So, because we miss him and I'm sure he misses us, I am going to post pictures for him of my children and you can look too. Don't you love posts like this? All gross and lovey and then lots of random pictures that most of you don't really care that much about but will look at anyway because you are addicted to blogs, just like me? Well, here you go.

Laney borrowed her cousin Ryan's snowsuit (yes, Ryan is a boy)

Eliza couldn't resist it either

Painting

My future artists

Laney ready to go look at the "hosee"


Pudding!

Eliza got her pancakes ready all by herself (while I was helping Laney).

In case you can't tell, top left is butter and the other two are sugar.

"See food"! Get it?

And just one more thing. To redeem myself, I just wanted to remind you that I do my fair share of dirty work too, it's just comes in a different shape and size.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

A few months ago when James was planning his schedule for fall semester, he found this law "class" (or so they call it) where he basically goes on a two week vacation to Hong Kong. Because he is now getting a Masters in Chinese as well as his law degree, we thought this would be a good oportunity and heck, if we're going into debt anyway, might as well get a trip to China out of it. The plan was that when we came to Utah for our Christmas break, I would just stay behind with the girls and then he would fly to Illinois and then Hong Kong. That way I would have some help from my parents while he was gone.

Well he's gone now. And although my parents are saints (especially the day James left when I was throwing up all night and they came home to take care of my kids so I could sleep), they are not James. I have heard more than once from both children at 3 in the morning "I want Daddy" and I admit, I was thinking the exact same thing-and not just so that I could go back to bed and he could get Laney "cereal with milk". We miss him. A lot.

But, life must go on. And so I am going to make the most of it by blogging while my mom is watching "Moses" with the girls. I would just give you a summary of what we have been doing while in Utah, but that would include way too many stories about throwing up and pooping (please excuse my french), so instead I will do what I do best. I'll just post some pictures. That way I will be killing two birds with one stone anyway because I told James I would send him some pictures and this is way easier.

Here we go...



This is what Christams morning with 19 people in the house looks like. Pretty cool huh?





Laney with her cousin Ryan

The reason I am looking forward to future Christmas without cousins - Laney did not get that bike and Eliza did not get the doll house. It doesn't matter how cool your own things are when there are other things you want more.

Playing our pool tournament. This was right before I squashed Jim (sorry Jim, it had to be said). I didn't win the whole thing, but I did make it to the finals where my dad barely beat me. I play a mean game of pool.

This one needs no caption.

Eliza polishing off her Christmas orange.

Going outside to feed the horse with Grandpa (can you tell I'm trying not to be in the picture?)

This morning before church. This is the first Sunday both girls have gone to church in Utah because they kept getting sick. Bleh.

I could put many more pictures up because my mom's files download way faster than mine do, but I won't because I think most of you would just get bored and quit reading anyway. And then what would I do? Or maybe you already quit reading. Great, now I'm paranoid.

Also, for some reason the spell-check isn't working so would you be so kind as to not judge me too harshly if there are misspelled words? Thank you and Happy New Year!

Say Cheese

I downloaded some pictures the other day and I was surprised at the random sampler we had stored on our camera. I often wonder "Would I have taken this picture if I didn't have a digital camera?". My guess is that in most cases the answer would be no. But I do have a digital camera and so now you, lucky reader, get to see what my life is really like. Enjoy.

Laney pouring her own cereal (she of course just wants the marshmallows)

Eliza dancing in her fairy costume (purchased for 1.50 the day after Halloween!)

Cracking daddy's back(ish area)

My pious little girl (please note the facial expression. She always makes this face while praying)

Trying to eat daddy's hot dog while he is on his special secret 3 day diet

Decorating our tree (no, I did not eat too much for Thanksgiving)

New jammies that I bought last year for SUPER CHEAP

The girls with uncle Matt (who came for Thanksgiving with my sister ma-cole)

The first picture is of my sister doing her morning exercises. The rest of us are watching the Cosby Show. Isn't my life so interesting? I can't wait to see what I take a picture of next!

Drum Roll Please

I debated just posting the picture that speaks louder than words to make our announcement, but in the name of modesty, I'll just tell you.

It's a boy (and you thought we couldn't do it!)

Looking Back

The girls and I were watching some videos from last year (November) and I knew this one needed to be shared.

Joy

You know how it's kind of a joke that if you don't have anything to talk about with someone you talk about the weather?

Well, it's cold here.  We are officially heading into winter.  I really can't complain though because it was 75 degrees outside the week of Halloween.  However, I believe our park days are officially over.

Which leads me to my next topic.  My backyard.   

When we were house hunting two-ish years ago, one of the main criteria was that it had to have a fenced-in backyard.  

Sadly, once we had it we never used it because there wasn't much to do back there.  And it had been taken over by spiders.  

Lucky for us, we got a swing set and an Orkin Man.

And a porch swing.

And some hot chocolate.

Three cheers for back yards, swing sets and hot chocolate.

Hip hip hooray.

Scary

Well we did it.  We made it through the Week of Halloween.  When I was a kid it wasn't like this.  We had Halloween once, and that was October 31st.  There was no church party, no trunk-or-treat, no Library party and no trick-or-treating at the mall (although there was no mall so maybe that is why).  We did have a carnival at the school (spook alley and cake walk included) and I trick-or-treated from the moment I could get ready after school till people stopped answering their doors.  I still got plenty of candy, but I only put on my costume twice (once for school and once that night). 

My kids are different.  We had a Halloween party at Borders on Saturday (totally worth it because the Lion won the costume contest and and with it a free book!), church party Tuesday - trunk-or-treat included, party at a friends Thursday, and then the actual trick-or-treating Friday, but only from 6:00-8:00 (and for us it was more like from 6:30-6:45). And that was skipping the library, the mall and the preschool party because both kids were showing signs of sickness all week.  So which is better?  Who knows, but either way I get to dress my kids up and then post pictures of them for all of you to see so I'm totally in!

Eliza was also a witch, but we didn't get a picture of that one.  Who needs candy, I just like to show off my cute kids.  Don't you just want to pinch that lion's cheeks?

(If you want to see what I used to look like on Halloween, please go here.)

Odds and Ends

*James is a Boy Scout and goes on his first campout tomorrow.

*Eliza came home from preschool the other day and said "Mommy!  What did you do to this room?"  I responded with "I don't know, what did I do?" To which she replied "You cleaned, didn't you!?"  This was all done in a very fake shocked voice.  She's good.

*Yesterday I had an emotional breakdown (an occasional one is allowed you know) While I was crying, both my girls gathered around to comfort me and Laney said "this cry mama" over and over while giving me a hug.

*I randomly smell dirty diapers but cannot find the source.  I was positive last night that it was me (one time I threw my sweatshirt on the ground and later when I put it on I could smell dirty diapers for a while and then later realized it was my sweatshirt because I had thrown it on a diaper left on the ground) but after showering and putting on new clothes today, I could still smell it.  I think I'm haunted by the Ghost of Stinky Diapers.

*Thanks to CJane, we have been enjoying this these    halloween    classics.

*Our little bump has a heartbeat.

Squeaky Shoes and Frilly Dresses

Warning:  This post is long and contains many stories about my children.  I apologize to anyone who isn't one of their grandparents and ask that you all at least watch the video that I finally got to work (it's the first one)

When Laney was a baby she was very content.  She loved to just sit quietly and smile when anyone noticed her.  Then when she was around 8 months old she changed.  She still loved to smile, but she wasn't quite as content.  Now I think the best word to describe her is obstinate (I even looked it up just to make sure).

Let me illustrate.  The other night (or more appropriately, the other morning) Laney woke up around 3 AM.  I had to take off her pajamas because she had leaked through them and when I went to put new ones on she began screaming and trying to rip the pajamas off.  I finally gave up (because it was 3 AM) and just let her go naked.  The problem was that the nights were just starting to get cold here and it was only about 62 degrees in the house.  She of course couldn't sleep and so we tried again with the same result.  James finally, frustrated had this conversation with Laney:

J: Laney do you want to wear these pajamas?

L: No!

J: Do you want a blanket on so you can stay warm?

L: No! 

J: Will you cuddle mommy or daddy so you can stay warm?

L: No!

J: Do you want to freeze?

L: Des (which of course, means yes)

We finally convinced her to wear one of her dresses to bed.  But since that night she has not worn any of her pajamas.  She has worn PJs, dresses and skirts but none that belonged to (or fit) her.

One more little story and then you may proceed to the videos (or not, although I do recommend at least the first one because it is really funny).

Today Eliza and one of her friends were playing dress-up and so I got out one of Eliza's frilly dresses for Laney to wear.  Later when it was time to go to the Library I took the dress off Laney (which she was fine with because she prefers no clothes) and began putting her clothes on.  She would not have it.  She screamed and yelled and cried an pulled them off as best she could.  Finally I asked her what she wanted to wear and she pointed to the dress.  So I made her calmly ask and say please ("mom, dess, pease") and then let her wear the dress.  I know, I totally taught her that if she yells enough she gets what she wants, but I did make her ask nicely.  You should have seen the looks we got when she walked through the library in her prom dress.

The above pictures are the before and after I gave in.  She is good at showing her emotions (and just a completely unrelated story: In the after picture you can see Eliza looking at the picture of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles that James had just received in the mail.  She asked me if I wanted her to read the letter to me from the Twelve.  It said this, "12 opossums (they told who the letter was from before writing the rest).  We're so cute that you'll love us.  Send this to daddy".  Wasn't that nice of them to send a personalized note?).  And that is where I end.  There are more funny stories I could tell, but I will spare you and instead just show some videos.  Although these don't show her stubborn side.  But she is rather funny.

The first is Laney in her squeaky shoes and the second is her singing.  Enjoy.

What you don't get

I want to throw my computer out the window.  I uploaded the cutest video of Laney a while ago and I was so happy because it uploaded so quickly and with no problems at all.  Then I deleted it.  But I didn't really delete it, I was deleting something else but it deleted the video.  And now I can't get it to work again!   AAHHH!  So now you get nothing.  And I get to go to bed angry (because the advice "don't go to bed angry" doesn't apply to fights with your computer).  

James is my hero.  For some reason I find it incredibly awkward to express my feelings for him on this blog (maybe it's because there are no words to describe how I feel...) but I'm going to try and express it today in this way.  James is so awesome.  

I know, strong words.  But seriously, have you seen anyone look so good in spandex?  Please don't answer that because no matter how you do it will come out sounding strange.  I'll answer for you.  No.  

James decided about a month ago (or so) that he was going to run/ride/run in a duathlon He actually hates running, but he loves biking and loves a challenge and this gave him both so he figured why not?  At first he had high hopes of finishing strong with a good time and screaming fans cheering his name.  But after some time (and after doing a mini-version of the race one day) he decided that a better goal would be to just finish - with screaming fans cheering his name.  

Well, Saturday came and guess what?  

Finished Race

Screaming Fans (the loudest being the photographer)

And to top it off he did about as well as he wanted to from the beginning.  I'm so proud.

Just so you don't feel cheated, I have provided some more shots of the man himself.  I've also enclosed some bonus pictures of a couple of his friends who also ran.  Matt, the one not in spandex (I only point that out because from what I understand, he had a goal to beat those in spandex) beat the other two, and Steve almost won.  

Taking off on his run.  Doesn't he look excited to run 2 more miles?

This is what Laney did while we waited.

Matt

Steve

And this is only the beginning.  James is planning many more races to come and I can't wait. He's inspiring.  And he's all mine, spandex and all.

Boring

We are alive.  For now anyway.  James is doing a duathlon (run 2, bike 20, run 2) tomorrow, so I will give you updates if that changes. (actually I am posting this 2 days later so he actually ran it yesterday)

Our lives lately have been busy.  James is getting into the thick of school now.  He's taking a year off from law this year and working on his masters in Chinese.  That means a lot less stress, but still a lot of work.  He seems to be doing well though and is often complimented on his excellent accent.  That's my little Asian Speaker!

Eliza is also going to school.  Preschool.  We debated a lot and in the end we decided to put her in for just one day a week.  The class is taught at one of the high schools where we live and the teacher is amazing. Eliza likes it so much that she comes home dancing.  I have to admit though, she was wicked smart even before she began preschool.  She already knew how to spell her name and displays it in anyway she can. The other day she was entertaining herself while I caught a little shuteye and I awoke to this

But she also does it on paper

and with blocks, backwords.

She is totally taking after her mom.

And her dad

who just became a boyscout for the first time in his life.  I don't have a picture of it yet, but he not only has the shirt to wear proudly, but the whole scout uniform!

Don't you worry, when there are pictures, you will see them.

Our other child Laney is also smart.  She can walk, talk (words include mommy, daddy, bath, get out, Eliza, drink, more, and Barracuda) and stack 9 blocks!!!  She also loves things like books, painting and feeding goats.  

I am smart too.  I can read, write and do some math.  I also know how to spell Barracuda (as of 5 minutes ago) and I am pregnant.

Love to you all.  

Strange

This is the conversation that I had with Eliza last night during dinner:

Me: Eliza you can't leave the table until you eat at least 3 bites of your pizza.

Eliza: I don't like pizza!

Me: Yes you do, you just ate some last night.

Eliza: But I don't like this kind of pizza.

Me:  Yes you do.  And if you don't eat your dinner, you don't get any candy tomorrow.

Eliza:  Can I just eat my broccoli instead?

Me: After you eat 3 bites of pizza.

Eliza: So if I eat 3 bites of pizza then I can have broccoli?

Me: Yes.

Guess who ate 3 bites of pizza? And then she had 3 helpings of broccoli and some pineapple to wash it down.  

Does it count as bribery if you're using broccoli as the bribe?