Sunday, March 30, 2008
Bobby's Sunday Summary
This week started out fairly normal, and not that exciting. Alice had a Doctor’s appointment, which went very well. Besides that we did not have too much happen out of the ordinary during the week, but the week end like usual has been much more active. Susan’s good friend Julia came to visit us this weekend, but so far the visit has been mostly uneventful. Also we have been upgrading the computer a bit. We got a bunch of new ram and a copy of Leopard (the new Mac OS to those who don’t run Macs). For the most part it has gone rather smoothly. This week has actually been rather slow, but that is kind of nice too.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Bobby's Sunday Summary
Sorry this is a little late but this week was a little bit crazy. Like most weeks the middle of the week was not that bad. We had a number of things planned in the evenings, but nothing that was too terribly exciting.
We made and canned a bunch of chili this week. We bought a quarter of a cow recently and used a big roast from it. We also bought some chili peppers from the store and turned them into our own chili sauce to add in. The problem with canning chili is that if you want to get the beans right, not too mushy, then you need to can them just slightly boiled, and let the canner finish the job. This makes it rather difficult to get the spice mixture right. So, I made a bunch of rather spicy bean-less chili, and then dumped in a bunch of half cooked beans and Susan spent most of the day Friday canning it. Only one jar didn’t seal so we were quite happy about that. I was actually a little bit afraid that it would be too spicy when it was all done. But when we tasted the can that didn’t seal the beans turned out great, the heat from the chili peppers was just right, but the chili flavor itself was rather watered down. It tastes perfect if you add two to three tablespoons of chili powder to it before heating it up. I think the next time we do chili I am going to have to come up with a recipe and write it down. Over the years we have had one batch of nearly perfect chili, one batch of way too meaty chili, one batch of too fatty chili with mushy beans, and the watered down batch we just made. All of it is better then most anything you can buy in the store. But, if I had been writing things down from the beginning I’m sure we would have been even better.
On Friday we drove down to St. Louis. This was all in preparation for the big Saturday we had planned. We stayed the night in a hotel so we could be ready to go to the Temple bight and early the next day. Susan went to the first session of the morning while I watched Alice, and it turned out to be a Samoan session for a group from Kansas City. She had to wear earphones for the session. I worked in the Temple after that and we got home at a little after 4.
That night we had two things planned. One was an Elder’s Quorum potluck dinner. We were too exhausted when we got home to really want to go so we had a quiet dinner at home. Then around 7 our baby sitter showed up and we went out on a group date with several other couples in the ward. With our ward being over half students, it can get somewhat difficult for the people who are not planning on leaving any time soon to try and make permanent friends just to have the leave so soon. So, some of the non-students decided to have a regular get together. This was Susan’s turn to plan it and she decided that we should all go English Country dancing. From talking to several people from the group just about all of the men were dreading it, but 5 couples showed up. We all actually had a good time and went out for ice cream afterwards. You can tell we are actual adults now because only two out of the five couples could have non-sugar-free ice cream.
We made and canned a bunch of chili this week. We bought a quarter of a cow recently and used a big roast from it. We also bought some chili peppers from the store and turned them into our own chili sauce to add in. The problem with canning chili is that if you want to get the beans right, not too mushy, then you need to can them just slightly boiled, and let the canner finish the job. This makes it rather difficult to get the spice mixture right. So, I made a bunch of rather spicy bean-less chili, and then dumped in a bunch of half cooked beans and Susan spent most of the day Friday canning it. Only one jar didn’t seal so we were quite happy about that. I was actually a little bit afraid that it would be too spicy when it was all done. But when we tasted the can that didn’t seal the beans turned out great, the heat from the chili peppers was just right, but the chili flavor itself was rather watered down. It tastes perfect if you add two to three tablespoons of chili powder to it before heating it up. I think the next time we do chili I am going to have to come up with a recipe and write it down. Over the years we have had one batch of nearly perfect chili, one batch of way too meaty chili, one batch of too fatty chili with mushy beans, and the watered down batch we just made. All of it is better then most anything you can buy in the store. But, if I had been writing things down from the beginning I’m sure we would have been even better.
On Friday we drove down to St. Louis. This was all in preparation for the big Saturday we had planned. We stayed the night in a hotel so we could be ready to go to the Temple bight and early the next day. Susan went to the first session of the morning while I watched Alice, and it turned out to be a Samoan session for a group from Kansas City. She had to wear earphones for the session. I worked in the Temple after that and we got home at a little after 4.
That night we had two things planned. One was an Elder’s Quorum potluck dinner. We were too exhausted when we got home to really want to go so we had a quiet dinner at home. Then around 7 our baby sitter showed up and we went out on a group date with several other couples in the ward. With our ward being over half students, it can get somewhat difficult for the people who are not planning on leaving any time soon to try and make permanent friends just to have the leave so soon. So, some of the non-students decided to have a regular get together. This was Susan’s turn to plan it and she decided that we should all go English Country dancing. From talking to several people from the group just about all of the men were dreading it, but 5 couples showed up. We all actually had a good time and went out for ice cream afterwards. You can tell we are actual adults now because only two out of the five couples could have non-sugar-free ice cream.
Aargh!
(Warning: this blog entry contains several references to baby excrement)
I was feeding Alice lunch this afternoon when she filled her diaper. She's an every-other-day pooper, so these things usually need to be taken care of right away. I picked her up and got poop all over my hands. Not a good start. I take her back to change her diaper and she turns into a screaming banchi, kicking and arching her back, flailing her limbs in a desperate attempt to get off the table. This is new. I wrestle her diaper off and two huge chunks of poop flip onto the table and her legs. I fly through a pile of wipes trying to clean her up but only manage to smear it all over the place. There's poop on her leggings, on her onesie, on her dress, and on the table. I see a green bean and wonder...did that come from her lunch today or yesterday?
With one hand keeping Alice on her back, I reach over for a clean diaper and they're all gone. Aargh! So, knowing I'd have to let her go in order to get more diapers (they're just hanging out in the other room) I take off her clothes. I thought it would prevent the poop from spreading further, which it did, but it also made her cold which tends to make her empty her bladder. So she's standing there, buck naked, watching all that urine pour down her legs. I sigh and clean it up, then decide to MacGyver a diaper from the materials I had on hand at the changing table. She had just peed and pooped, so what more could she do? I fold a burp cloth in a diaper cover and call it good. She screams and kicks until the diaper is on and then she's all sweetness.
I put her down on the floor so I can clean up the changing table. She walks right over to the hallway wall where a small chunk of poop had apparently escaped her diaper. I get there first...just barely...and have to pick it up with my bare hands before Alice does.
With the table finally clean, I go get the diapers from the other room and fold them in preparation for the next changing. I finish folding the last one and turn to see Alice covered in milk. She had rediscovered her sippy cup from lunch (it was still on her high chair tray) and decided to finish her milk. She's not the neatest drinker, especially when she's not really that thirsty, so half of it ends up on her chin, bare chest, hands, arms, and legs. I sigh and clean it up, leaving Alice in the living room while I wash out the rag in the kitchen sink. When I return to the living room, my neat pile of folded diapers has been transformed into a smothered heap of cloth and Alice is literally swinging one of them over her head.
You may be wondering what I did at that point. My first thought surprised me, "Don't scream. Take a time out." I took a deep breath and sat down on the floor next to the pile of diapers. Then I thought, "How does this happen? How can things go from normal to out of control in a matter of seconds?"
The rest of the story: I refold the diapers and dress Alice in some clean clothes. Alice poops in her jerry-rigged diaper, I change another screaming and kicking baby, put her down for a nap, finish my lunch, and enjoy an hour of quiet time for myself...and laundry.
I was feeding Alice lunch this afternoon when she filled her diaper. She's an every-other-day pooper, so these things usually need to be taken care of right away. I picked her up and got poop all over my hands. Not a good start. I take her back to change her diaper and she turns into a screaming banchi, kicking and arching her back, flailing her limbs in a desperate attempt to get off the table. This is new. I wrestle her diaper off and two huge chunks of poop flip onto the table and her legs. I fly through a pile of wipes trying to clean her up but only manage to smear it all over the place. There's poop on her leggings, on her onesie, on her dress, and on the table. I see a green bean and wonder...did that come from her lunch today or yesterday?
With one hand keeping Alice on her back, I reach over for a clean diaper and they're all gone. Aargh! So, knowing I'd have to let her go in order to get more diapers (they're just hanging out in the other room) I take off her clothes. I thought it would prevent the poop from spreading further, which it did, but it also made her cold which tends to make her empty her bladder. So she's standing there, buck naked, watching all that urine pour down her legs. I sigh and clean it up, then decide to MacGyver a diaper from the materials I had on hand at the changing table. She had just peed and pooped, so what more could she do? I fold a burp cloth in a diaper cover and call it good. She screams and kicks until the diaper is on and then she's all sweetness.
I put her down on the floor so I can clean up the changing table. She walks right over to the hallway wall where a small chunk of poop had apparently escaped her diaper. I get there first...just barely...and have to pick it up with my bare hands before Alice does.
With the table finally clean, I go get the diapers from the other room and fold them in preparation for the next changing. I finish folding the last one and turn to see Alice covered in milk. She had rediscovered her sippy cup from lunch (it was still on her high chair tray) and decided to finish her milk. She's not the neatest drinker, especially when she's not really that thirsty, so half of it ends up on her chin, bare chest, hands, arms, and legs. I sigh and clean it up, leaving Alice in the living room while I wash out the rag in the kitchen sink. When I return to the living room, my neat pile of folded diapers has been transformed into a smothered heap of cloth and Alice is literally swinging one of them over her head.
You may be wondering what I did at that point. My first thought surprised me, "Don't scream. Take a time out." I took a deep breath and sat down on the floor next to the pile of diapers. Then I thought, "How does this happen? How can things go from normal to out of control in a matter of seconds?"
The rest of the story: I refold the diapers and dress Alice in some clean clothes. Alice poops in her jerry-rigged diaper, I change another screaming and kicking baby, put her down for a nap, finish my lunch, and enjoy an hour of quiet time for myself...and laundry.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Good Friday
The babe woke up a little cranky from her afternoon nap, so I decided to throw on her sandals and go for a "walk" in our front yard. She cheered up slowly, but surely, as she waddled around the driveway chasing the blowing leaves. I wandered off to check on the asparagus and Alice discovered our pot of strawberry plants. It's all dirt and leaves at this point, but that was the best part. She pulled out whole clumps of root-filled soil and tore them apart like kleenex. She played in the dirt for a whole five minutes before tasting it, finally deciding it wasn't as tasty as it might have appeared at first. I took her inside for a bath and she splashed herself silly. After a fresh diaper, some lotion, and a clean set of clothes, Alice ran to the front door again. I had left it open so light could come in through the screen door. Alice stood there on her tiptoes, peering out at the yard, blow drying her hair in the breeze.
Spring. This girl gets it.
Spring. This girl gets it.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
New pictures: Clothes, Hair, and Snuggling
Alice likes to explore her dresser drawers and carry her clothes all over the place. She's done this ever since she learned how to open the drawer and scoot away. This morning, though, it was different. She plopped a pair of purple pants and a hot-pink striped onesie into Bobby's lap and started her little panting whimpers that usually translate into "do something." Bobby obliged the babe by draping the pants across her shoulders and tying the onesie around her waist loin-cloth style. Alice was quite pleased. She brought him her Sunday socks and pointed to her left foot. He put on the sock and asked if she would like to wear the other one. She decided that two socks would be too much...a girl can go overboard with accessories, you know. And that's how Alice dressed herself this morning. She was feeling a bit camera shy, but I managed to take this one as she ran away.
The pantaloon shawl is obvious and you can see her pink stripy loin cloth between her legs. Her hands are full of treasures: a plastic cup and a couple pairs of Larry the Cucumber's eyes.
Alice's hair is long enough that I've toyed with the idea of putting it up. My first attempt at a hairdo is documented below. Not terrible, but not entirely "Alice" either.
This girl is a snuggler through and through. She's recently learned that kids and other adults know how to snuggle, too. If you squat down and put your arms out wide, she'll waddle over to you for a hug. If she's a little tired, she'll even rest her head on your shoulder for a moment. She's done this to her 5-year-old friend and a couple of adult family friends so far. A stranger hasn't tried it yet, but that's certainly on my mind.
When I play on the floor with Alice, she likes to snuggle up close. Very close. Suffocatingly close. Her favorite place to sit is IN FRONT OF my face, but she is also happy nestled between my chin and chest, as pictured below.
The pantaloon shawl is obvious and you can see her pink stripy loin cloth between her legs. Her hands are full of treasures: a plastic cup and a couple pairs of Larry the Cucumber's eyes.
Alice's hair is long enough that I've toyed with the idea of putting it up. My first attempt at a hairdo is documented below. Not terrible, but not entirely "Alice" either.
This girl is a snuggler through and through. She's recently learned that kids and other adults know how to snuggle, too. If you squat down and put your arms out wide, she'll waddle over to you for a hug. If she's a little tired, she'll even rest her head on your shoulder for a moment. She's done this to her 5-year-old friend and a couple of adult family friends so far. A stranger hasn't tried it yet, but that's certainly on my mind.
When I play on the floor with Alice, she likes to snuggle up close. Very close. Suffocatingly close. Her favorite place to sit is IN FRONT OF my face, but she is also happy nestled between my chin and chest, as pictured below.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Bobby's Sunday Summary
This week started out fairly normal. Then there was Pi Day (Also known as Alice’s Birthday). We invited several friends over, had a potluck dinner, and played a board game after dinner.
This first video is Alice opening up her present from Grandma and Grandpa Evans. She really enjoyed the books, almost as much as she enjoyed unwrapping them.
[flv width="400" height="300"]http://evansfamily.powweb.com/movies/2008/OpenPresents.flv[/flv]
This other is a video of her eating her birthday strawberry pie. It was pi day after all so cake did just not seem appropriate. The music is by Yo-Yo Ma and Bobby McFerrin.
[flv width="400" height="300"]http://evansfamily.powweb.com/movies/2008/Alice_1st.flv[/flv]
I have also included a picture of Alice in her new dress from Grandma and Grandpa Poulson.
She seemed to have a wonderful birthday celebration.
Susan's Addendum:
The potluck had a circular theme: homemade doughnuts from the Evanses, beef and cheese wraps, round apple strudel from Jana, spicy stuffed peppers from the McIlroys, and 3.14 kinds of pie: chocolate pudding, pumpkin (made from real pumpkin I inherited from the Garner's freezer), strawberry, and a mini-strawberry-like pie that Alice ate all by herself (strawberries in goo, graham crackers, and a pile of whipped topping). YUM!
This first video is Alice opening up her present from Grandma and Grandpa Evans. She really enjoyed the books, almost as much as she enjoyed unwrapping them.
[flv width="400" height="300"]http://evansfamily.powweb.com/movies/2008/OpenPresents.flv[/flv]
This other is a video of her eating her birthday strawberry pie. It was pi day after all so cake did just not seem appropriate. The music is by Yo-Yo Ma and Bobby McFerrin.
[flv width="400" height="300"]http://evansfamily.powweb.com/movies/2008/Alice_1st.flv[/flv]
I have also included a picture of Alice in her new dress from Grandma and Grandpa Poulson.
She seemed to have a wonderful birthday celebration.
Susan's Addendum:
The potluck had a circular theme: homemade doughnuts from the Evanses, beef and cheese wraps, round apple strudel from Jana, spicy stuffed peppers from the McIlroys, and 3.14 kinds of pie: chocolate pudding, pumpkin (made from real pumpkin I inherited from the Garner's freezer), strawberry, and a mini-strawberry-like pie that Alice ate all by herself (strawberries in goo, graham crackers, and a pile of whipped topping). YUM!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Happy Birthday to you...two?
Unexpected but fantastically welcome, Baby Bennett has arrived! Heidi, James and the as yet unnamed babe are doing well despite his debut ten weeks earlier than predicted. Now Alice and her closest Poulson-side cousin share a birthday. Happy Birthday Baby Bennett! My love to you all. Send picts ASAP
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Happy Birthday to you.
Dear Alice,
One year ago tonight, almost to the very minute within posting this blog, I experienced a strange kicking sensation in my belly followed by the most peculiar popping sound and a warm gush of fluid. Six hours later, we met you face-to-face for the first time. You looked just like my dad. Your little voice was a squeaky door hinge. I can't remember how it felt beyond pure relief. Absolute relief. You were here, and healthy, and finally ours to hold and kiss.
I kissed you a lot that first night. I counted every wet diaper, every sigh, every moment of consciousness you fluttered through. You only woke up once that first night and I walked with you in our room, singing "How Firm a Foundation"...no other song or lullaby or snippet of a nursery rhyme would come to mind, no matter how hard I tried. On your birthday, we took this movie of your delightful tongue.
[flv width="400" height="300"]http://evansfamily.powweb.com/movies/2007/AliceLicksBlanket070314.flv[/flv]
And now, tonight, you snuggled close to me while we had our Relief Society Presidency meeting. You laughed when we laughed, even though you didn't get the jokes. You smiled. You made comments and expounded on many topics we hadn't considered. When the ladies left and you and I were alone, I kissed you again and again. We read a book. We prayed. I kissed you again. You chose to sleep with your lamb doll and fell asleep without a sound. What a birthday gift to me :)
Love,
Mom
One year ago tonight, almost to the very minute within posting this blog, I experienced a strange kicking sensation in my belly followed by the most peculiar popping sound and a warm gush of fluid. Six hours later, we met you face-to-face for the first time. You looked just like my dad. Your little voice was a squeaky door hinge. I can't remember how it felt beyond pure relief. Absolute relief. You were here, and healthy, and finally ours to hold and kiss.
I kissed you a lot that first night. I counted every wet diaper, every sigh, every moment of consciousness you fluttered through. You only woke up once that first night and I walked with you in our room, singing "How Firm a Foundation"...no other song or lullaby or snippet of a nursery rhyme would come to mind, no matter how hard I tried. On your birthday, we took this movie of your delightful tongue.
[flv width="400" height="300"]http://evansfamily.powweb.com/movies/2007/AliceLicksBlanket070314.flv[/flv]
And now, tonight, you snuggled close to me while we had our Relief Society Presidency meeting. You laughed when we laughed, even though you didn't get the jokes. You smiled. You made comments and expounded on many topics we hadn't considered. When the ladies left and you and I were alone, I kissed you again and again. We read a book. We prayed. I kissed you again. You chose to sleep with your lamb doll and fell asleep without a sound. What a birthday gift to me :)
Love,
Mom
Monday, March 10, 2008
Before I met Alice...
...I sat down and watched TV for hours.
...the smell of poop made me gag.
...I could go for 5 minutes without thinking about someone else.
...watching a movie about vulnerable people/animals/animate objects didn't make me cry.
...writing a TO DO list for the day was actually helpful.
...I could sleep comfortably on my side (the ability to nurse is a mixed blessing).
...napping was impossible.
...I didn't interact with strangers in public places.
...I undervalued the comfort found in a well-timed hug.
...was the world in color? I can't remember.
...the smell of poop made me gag.
...I could go for 5 minutes without thinking about someone else.
...watching a movie about vulnerable people/animals/animate objects didn't make me cry.
...writing a TO DO list for the day was actually helpful.
...I could sleep comfortably on my side (the ability to nurse is a mixed blessing).
...napping was impossible.
...I didn't interact with strangers in public places.
...I undervalued the comfort found in a well-timed hug.
...was the world in color? I can't remember.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Bobby's Sunday Summary
This week has been a long one, for both Susan and I. Sunday night I got on a plane to California. It was a bit of a last minute trip so I had to fly out of an airport an hour away to get a fair that was not too outrageous. The flight over was not too bad. It was one of only two times that I have flown through Chicago without being delayed. I still got to the hotel at 11 pm, which felt like 1 am to me with the time shift and everything.
I spent the whole week in California working on a project with a bunch of people there. I am happy to say that I was able to finish up most of the project so from that point of view the trip was successful. However, I have never really liked traveling, especially alone, so it was not great.
On the plus side I did find a very nice Brazilian restaurant just down the street from the Yahoo headquarters. Most Brazilian restaurants I have seen in the United States are Churrascarias. These are the Brazilian barbeque places that bring you lots of meat on a spit, which is tasty and authentic, but not an everyday meal. This place was much more like what you would eat regularly, so if you are ever in Sunnyvale California around lunchtime and want some good authentic everyday Brazilian food check out http://www.senzalarestaurant.com/. They even had a live bossa nova band playing when I was there, but that is not an every day thing.
As Susan alluded to on the blog previously the flight home was not great. We boarded the plane in Chicago just a few minutes late, but then they announced on the plane that we had to wait for a crew member that was on another flight and that it would probably be about 30 min before we took off. The flight is only 20 min in the air so this was very frustrating, especially since we live an hour away from the airport so Susan had just barely left. We arrive about an hour late but at the airport they had not updated the arrival time, so when we landed at 5:30 Susan was wondering why it took me an hour to walk the 200 ft from the gate to the baggage claim.
But we are all home safe and relatively happy now.
I spent the whole week in California working on a project with a bunch of people there. I am happy to say that I was able to finish up most of the project so from that point of view the trip was successful. However, I have never really liked traveling, especially alone, so it was not great.
On the plus side I did find a very nice Brazilian restaurant just down the street from the Yahoo headquarters. Most Brazilian restaurants I have seen in the United States are Churrascarias. These are the Brazilian barbeque places that bring you lots of meat on a spit, which is tasty and authentic, but not an everyday meal. This place was much more like what you would eat regularly, so if you are ever in Sunnyvale California around lunchtime and want some good authentic everyday Brazilian food check out http://www.senzalarestaurant.com/. They even had a live bossa nova band playing when I was there, but that is not an every day thing.
As Susan alluded to on the blog previously the flight home was not great. We boarded the plane in Chicago just a few minutes late, but then they announced on the plane that we had to wait for a crew member that was on another flight and that it would probably be about 30 min before we took off. The flight is only 20 min in the air so this was very frustrating, especially since we live an hour away from the airport so Susan had just barely left. We arrive about an hour late but at the airport they had not updated the arrival time, so when we landed at 5:30 Susan was wondering why it took me an hour to walk the 200 ft from the gate to the baggage claim.
But we are all home safe and relatively happy now.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Bobby's Return
He's back! Exhausted, struggling with a headache, and really annoyed that his flight home was so poorly managed, Bobby has returned from California. He went to bed early---curse that Daylight Savings Time!---and I will join him shortly, but I just need to see my favorite parts of the last episode of LOST one more time before bed. That Ben is one fascinating character.
Here, enjoy this delightful photo of Alice while I get my last LOST fix. I call it "Saucy Maid":
Here, enjoy this delightful photo of Alice while I get my last LOST fix. I call it "Saucy Maid":
Friday, March 7, 2008
Six Things Everyone Should Accomplish Before They Turn 18
Blog-tagged by Heidi, so here it is. I didn't actually start to grow up until college, so I find it hard to believe an 18-year-old is capable of accomplishing anything so profound that I would say EVERY person should experience it. I have all sorts of advice I would give to an 18-year-old, but that's not really answering the blogtag, is it? Okay, maybe it will be easier if I put it in the context of things I would love to see Alice accomplish by the time she is 18...
1. Fall in love, then have her heart broken. It sucks, but this experience is awfully helpful later on.
2. Learn to manage money wisely and live within her means.
3. Develop a passion for something. Anything. Get in to it, meet others who enjoy it, share it.
4. Discipline herself to get enough sleep. I still haven't managed to accomplish this, so GOOD LUCK!
5. The ability to understand other peoples' points of view first. It's amazing how many doors open up when people feel understood, even if you don't exactly agree with them.
6. Come to understand that people change and sometimes make mistakes. Learn to forgive.
So now I tag Jenny H, Kristin E and Laura H. Have at it!
1. Fall in love, then have her heart broken. It sucks, but this experience is awfully helpful later on.
2. Learn to manage money wisely and live within her means.
3. Develop a passion for something. Anything. Get in to it, meet others who enjoy it, share it.
4. Discipline herself to get enough sleep. I still haven't managed to accomplish this, so GOOD LUCK!
5. The ability to understand other peoples' points of view first. It's amazing how many doors open up when people feel understood, even if you don't exactly agree with them.
6. Come to understand that people change and sometimes make mistakes. Learn to forgive.
So now I tag Jenny H, Kristin E and Laura H. Have at it!
Long Distance Relationship
Bobby's been in California all this week, but that doesn't mean we've lost touch. In fact, we've been talking to each other for almost an hour a day. That's more than we usually sit and chat when he's in town! What has brought on this amazing transformation? TECHNOLOGY! Sing it, Kip:
Yes I love technology
But not as much as you, you see
But I still love technology
Always and forever
We’ve been video-conferencing. Alice likes it, too, which is the best part. Here are a couple screen shots from our conversation this morning. The first one is Bobby showing Alice something he picked up for her at the Yahoo gift shop. The snapshot was taken from our computer, so Bobby looks pixelated. Alice appears a little confused.
Alice showing Bobby her block-in-teeth maneuver:
Then a nice big close up for a virtual goodbye kiss. Bobby took this shot from his computer, so Alice is the one that's pixelated this time:
Yes I love technology
But not as much as you, you see
But I still love technology
Always and forever
We’ve been video-conferencing. Alice likes it, too, which is the best part. Here are a couple screen shots from our conversation this morning. The first one is Bobby showing Alice something he picked up for her at the Yahoo gift shop. The snapshot was taken from our computer, so Bobby looks pixelated. Alice appears a little confused.
Alice showing Bobby her block-in-teeth maneuver:
Then a nice big close up for a virtual goodbye kiss. Bobby took this shot from his computer, so Alice is the one that's pixelated this time:
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
More than a little conflicted
Okay, I'm dreaming of a fantastic summer with the babe and suddenly I realize she's gonna need a swim suit. Not only a suit, but a swim diaper as well. Then I think, "Why be redundant? Why not get a cute clothie swim diaper and just throw on any old baby t-shirt on top?" So I start looking online for cloth swim diapers and I stumble upon an Imse Vimse swim diaper with a matching tankini and it's FREAKING cute! Can you imagine Alice in this?! The red, the fishies, the teeny ballerini skirt! My heart is racing and my palms are actually sweating because I think this is the most perfect, adorable, and amazing little swimsuit for my amazing little baby and I'm afraid they'll be all gone when/if I finally decide to get one.
exasperated *sigh*
I'm not a clothes shopper. I hate that stuff. But this, somehow, is different.
So why don't I just buy it, eh? A $30 gift won't break the bank, right? Or why not ask someone else to buy it as a birthday gift for the babe? This is where I start to feel conflicted. This outfit is a one-trick pony. Why buy something new when I can buy any old cloth swim diaper that will do the job just fine, if only less charmingly? Why demand more NEW stuff that is destined for a landfill, even if 20 kids end up wearing it before it's thrashed? It almost seems like buying this outfit could contradict 2 of the 3 reasons I chose cloth diapering in the first place (i.e. save money, reduce waste, have fun).
resigned *sigh*
Well, the only solution in harmony with all 3 "clothie choice reasons" is nudity. And that's simply not allowed. The kid's gonna need a swim diaper no matter what. It probably won't kill me to buy a used one. I may even find it enjoyable to save money and prevent unnecessary waste. Maybe even FREAKISHLY enjoyable?
exasperated *sigh*
I'm not a clothes shopper. I hate that stuff. But this, somehow, is different.
So why don't I just buy it, eh? A $30 gift won't break the bank, right? Or why not ask someone else to buy it as a birthday gift for the babe? This is where I start to feel conflicted. This outfit is a one-trick pony. Why buy something new when I can buy any old cloth swim diaper that will do the job just fine, if only less charmingly? Why demand more NEW stuff that is destined for a landfill, even if 20 kids end up wearing it before it's thrashed? It almost seems like buying this outfit could contradict 2 of the 3 reasons I chose cloth diapering in the first place (i.e. save money, reduce waste, have fun).
resigned *sigh*
Well, the only solution in harmony with all 3 "clothie choice reasons" is nudity. And that's simply not allowed. The kid's gonna need a swim diaper no matter what. It probably won't kill me to buy a used one. I may even find it enjoyable to save money and prevent unnecessary waste. Maybe even FREAKISHLY enjoyable?
Monday, March 3, 2008
We'd love to SEE you!
Bobby just solved the video chat problems we've been having with our computer. Yay! So, if you're interested in setting up a live video chat with us, please email or call one of us directly to exchange screen names and set up a meeting time. See you soon!
Bobby's Sunday Summary
This week started out a lot like last week. Susan had something planned nearly every night and was very very busy. Two little things changed last week when my dotted line boss called (for those of you don't know dotted line is often used in the business world to refer to someone that is not your real boss, but what you do is important enough to them that you report to them, and get projects from them like your real boss). Well, the first thing was that he and a few other people had decided that I should fly the California the next week to try and speed up work on a project. That is fine, I was kind of expecting it, and I am writing this to you from CA right now. Then he offered me a job. Recently at Yahoo they had some layoffs, and as part of that they decided to reorganize a fair amount too. I was not part of the layoffs, but I was part of the reorg. That means that once I finish the projects that I have started I will be transitioning to a new group doing some what different work, don't know what it is yet. Apparently my dotted line boss did not want to loose me, which makes me feel good, but also gave Susan and I a hard choice. He did offer to let me stay here in Champaign, but was pushing for us to relocate to California, and if I am the only one in the building working for them I feel like I might get missed or left out when some things happen. Susan and I did not want to move just yet so we turned them down, but it was a kind of anxious few days while we decided, especially since one of our dearest friends just moved to San Francisco and made us consider it a bit more then we normally might.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Pensive Moment
The babe is sleeping and Bobby is in transit right now, so I have a few moments to think alone. A good number of thoughts are rattling around upstairs tonight. Here are a few. Today was the first time I had fasted in 21 months and it was less difficult than I feared. Alice giggled tonight, even after I accidentally walked her face into a doorknob. The world seems more serious when you're in the RS presidency...so many people to think about...but I'm still the socially awkward geek I've always been...when does this get easier? I secretly hid a box of Thin Mint cookies for Bobby to find unexpectedly. I am sorry that I have not been more supportive to my friends and family, especially those close to me. I wish I could enjoy eggplant.
Hmmm. Perhaps these are not so much thoughts as confessions...
Hmmm. Perhaps these are not so much thoughts as confessions...
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