Yes, I Do Still Blog, But I'm Mentally A Month Behind

Ok, October was nuts. Sadly I love the month and I'm going to pretend like this is a post from then. I absolutely loved decorating for Halloween even more this year because of Colin. Maybe that sounds dumb, because I'm sure he didn't appreciate the umpteen witches and jack-o-lanterns permeating every nook and cranny of our house, but still it was great! I'm finally going to be able to share my love for these holidays with my own child. It started with two Halloween shirts he wore all month long and ended with his dalmation costume that complemented my Cruella costume. Mind you, when I purchased my Cruella costume three years ago I fully intended then that my future child, girl or boy, would be a dalmation on their first Halloween. I purchased his costume in April and anxiously awaited my opportunity to wear it with him. Fun for us, with Halloween being on a Friday I got to wear it to school and bring him (it wasn't my day to teach so we just came for the party) AND wear it the next night to open the door for trick or treaters. I loved it. We just had so much fun and I can't wait until next year when he will understand more of what is going on.

Meet My New Interior Decorator, C.S. Williamson

As I look around my house at my new furniture arrangements, attractive floor accessories and lovely stairway barriers, I must admit that I never thought the time would come that I would be forced to redecorate against my will. Alas, a new member of the household has a very distinct opinion on how my living room should look. You should meet him. Short, round, handsome, and very quick on his knees, he has dictated virtually every new look you will find in all of my rooms. No longer do we have a nice collection of Golf and Martha Stewart magazines on the coffee table or nice coasters with tall glasses of water. Oh, and that aformentioned table now resides as an artistic barrier to the screen of the tv. I don't know about anyone else, but I prefer large living room ottomans placed strategically in the middle of my foyer (oh, also blocking the entrance the second set of stairs) for that welcoming affect, "Please, come right in, don't mind the ottoman." I suppose you didn't know that the new thing is to place your dining room chairs on their sides, again conveniently in front of open walkways. It is all the rage according to C.S.. Finally, while I used to prefer a nice, open look to my living room floor, Mr. Williamson has convinced me night after night that it just looks so much better covered in primary colored plastic objects and cardboard literature. I think he's quite gifted and I will probably continue to listen to his decorating advice for some time to come. Please, stop by, he would love to show you his work. (I'll post some video of our little speed demon in the next few days--I think he'll be walking by Halloween!)

Happy Birthday Dad

This is Greg's first birthday that he gets to celebrate being a dad. My how this year has flown! We are only a few short months from Colin's birthday which just amazes us both. The last few weeks have been filled with momentous changes (he's a mover and a shaker folks--but that's another post). It is safe to say Greg enjoyed his birthday with his wife, Joan, Julie, Kim and Sharon, but most importantly his son.

I Go in Reverse Real Well

So, as you can see he has reverse down. No, I don't purposely put my child underneath his jumper to keep him under control. I was busily running around in the kitchen and in the laundry room folding laundry continually saying, "Hey! You're ok, you don't need me to entertain you every second! Just play for a few minutes longer and I'll come down!" Now this was in response to his general "I'm annoyed" sound--not crying, not in distress, just grunting and well, whining. Finally after a few minutes of it becoming even more incessant, and thinking "geez this kid needs some attention today!" I looked down to find him trapped. Thank you, thank you, yes, I'm applying for Utah Mother of the Year next month.

Tinnin' Up Prov Canyon

We have such great memories of heading up Providence Canyon on a Friday night to set up a quick campfire and throw on the tinfoil dinners (tinners). We decided the summer wouldn't be complete if we didn't go up at least once and sit around the fire enjoying the ubber-good saucy tinner and gorging ourselves on smores. So fun and only would have been better if Lance, Ty, Beth and Will could have been there. Luckily we had Brady and Jace Dart to beef up the group a bit. Colin seemed transfixed by the fire, but most happy when upside down. If I let hime he'd hang from his ankles twenty four seven--is that a sign that he's going to be a little bit of a daredevil? Maybe he'll like bungee jumping? Gee I wonder where he gets that from?

Manna from Heaven

I have discovered the food of the gods. Those of you who have not experienced motherhood--I was there only seven short months ago myself--you would not comprehend how much you miss having even 15 continual minutes to accomplish such menial tasks like taking a shower, doing your hair, changing laundry...you get the picture. In comes my new favorite food. I'm sure you are wondering what this delightful new treat is and where, pray tell, may you find it. Well, walk into Walmart, hang a left at the second aisle and head straight to the wall-o-Gerber and you will find...BITER BISCUITS. This wonderful creation is, like I said, manna from heaven not because it tastes particularly good, but because it occupies the interest of my very busy baby for up to FORTY MINUTES!! This is an ETERNITY in the life of a mom. Do you know what you can do in FORTY MINUTES!! Months ago I may have complained about not having enough time in a week to clean my house and do laundry, but now, sheesh, how I look forward to the mad dash through the house that forty minutes gives me! Now, like all gifts, it comes with a price. I include with this post video of how my son looks after forty minutes of biter biscuit. It isn't pretty, but man he's happy, mom's happy, everyone's happy, so yes, I'll do this every day as long as I continue to get my forty minutes even if that means I have to give him and his high chair a hose down when he's done.

Our Own Personal Buddha

Lucky for us we don't have to go out and buy a buddha statue anytime soon, we have one alive and well at our house. We just had to post that belly and the man boobs for all to see because, well, on a baby its cute--unfortunately not so cute on adults. So, if anyone out there needs some extra luck this week, let me know and I'll let you come rub his belly.