Our Feeble Attempt

A couple weeks ago we had an office party for a colleague who turned the big 4-0.  One of her favorite things in the world is sushi.  That's what we had for lunch.  Since I'm trying to eat healthier and sushi is very healthy, I decided this would be an easy way to try it and test the waters.

I have to say I was a little overwhelmed with worlds like eel and roe.  Honestly, I just tried salmon for the first time in the last year, I'm not really ready to jump into eating raw eel.  I found a nice roll called the Tiger's Eye.  It had smoked salmon, cream cheese and avocado.  It sounded "safe." 

It was not only safe, but delish.  Every since I've been dying to have some more.

Which leads us, in a roundabout way to last night.  I decided I would try my hand at sushi at home.  I had all the ingredients to make a Tiger's Eye at home, so why not.  The only think I was missing was that bamboo wrapping tool, but I figured since I was a novice anyway, might as well use some cling wrap.

And have my sous chef help me.

Look at that attention to detail.  She's a natural.

They may have turned out a little messy, but they were good.  I still think we're lightyears away from anything with roe on it. 

The Sweetest Sounds

One of the things I love most about N is how he loves.  If he loves something, he's 100% passionate about it.  If it's something he can read up on, he does.  If it's something he can learn more about, he does.  He throws himself completely into the things he loves.

That's not just hobbies or interests, it's people too.  As a mother, there is nothing sweeter than seeing your children be loved by their daddy.  With Zoe being sick this past weekend, I saw N throw himself into caring for her.  He would cuddle her on the couch.  He would take her temperature.  He would help with the medicine.  He would make her giggle and laugh when she was feeling a little better.  It was heartwarming to see the love they have for each other.

This morning was the highlight.  It was about 2:45 this morning, just about the time N's getting home from work.  I heard Zoe in her room.  I couldn't tell if it was sleepy noises or if she was crying.  I came out of our room and N looks at me and says, "I think she's crying.  I'll take care of it."

He went into her room and sure enough she was crying.  We're not sure if she got scared or had a bad dream. The way he talked to her and comforted her was one of the sweetest sounds I've ever heard.  It was the love of a good daddy.

We Did Some Coughing and Resting

I count myself fortunate that Zoe hasn't really been sick.  I think it was God's way of giving her a break after such a rough start in life.  I also think she has her daddy's immune system.  I think they could kiss every sick person and maybe feel a little bad for a day or two.  If I did that, I'd be out for weeks.

All that changed this weekend.  Zoe caught that nasty cold bug that's been going around.  This one stayed right in her chest.  Poor thing was down for the count most of the weekend.  She spent her time cuddling with daddy on the couch, taking naps with me and coughing.  Oh was there coughing.

Just like her daddy, after 48 hours of soaking her sheets with sweat, the bug is almost completely gone.  How do we know it's gone?  Here's some signs that Zoe is on the recovery.

1)  Wakes up and asks to go shopping. 
2)  No longer asks to be held, but offers to race you to the bedroom/kitchen/bathroom.
3)  Wants to paint, then sew, then glue, then do Play-doh, then paint again, then cook something all in a matter of 15 minutes.
4)  Pretends to sleep and then wakes up going, "oh that clock!  Killjoy!  Get up you say, time to start another day.  Even he orders me around." 

Our Cinderella is back.  With more energy than ever.

Our Newest Family Member, Part Deux

Fooled ya for a minute!  I can't claim her as my own.  Believe me I totally would if given the chance.  Isn't she precious, sweet and entirely kissable?  She's also the biggest baby our family has seen in over 3 years. 

Meet Hannah-Joy.  She became my very first niece last night.  She weighs 8 lbs, 1 oz and is 21 inches long.  I now know why my sister-in-law Amanda was in so much discomfort.  This kid weighs about the same as Zoe did when she was 5 months old.  Amanda basically gave birth to a 5 month old.  That's totally impressive when you think about it.

Congratulations Brian and Amanda.  I can't think of two more deserving parents.  You both struggled to have H-J (is it alright that I call her that?).  I love seeing how God has blessed your life.  Having a daughter is one of the best blessings that has ever happened to N and me.  We treasured it so much we had three!

Enjoy the diaper changes, the feedings, the spit up, all the laundry and each moment you can count her fingers and toes again.  In a very short time she'll wipe off your kisses, learn the word "no" and make you laugh with her ideas.  Congrats mommy and daddy.  She's absolutely perfect.  Love you all.

Meet Our Newest Family Member

I have no idea how we survived before without in-stereo bluetooth, heated seats and iPod connection in the glove-box that comes through the stereo. 

Not sure of a name yet other than Sah-Wheet!

Death Becomes Her

It's official.  My car is D-E-A-D dead.  The mechanic mentioned something about a broken water pump, a seized engine, a snapped timing belt and bent pistons.  That all sounds very bad to me, but don't ask me what any of those things really do. 

I just know when I went to clean the old girl out yesterday there was a large piece of metal, covered in oil, in a box lined with a garbage sack in my trunk.  I can only assume it was part of my engine.  It was the saddest thing.  I just had her washed and waxed.  On the outside she looks perfect.  Only a small dent on the side where Neil's motorcycle fell on her. 

I can't confirm this, but I think she was crying too.  When I took one last look at her, green fluid was leaking from under her hood.  It was a good farewell.  She helped get me through college and through my single days.  She earned the nickname the Black Phantom.  We had some fun together.

Now it's time to be an adult.  Time for the family car, more room and heated seats. 

I think Zoe's having the hardest time of all.  She saw them tow away Black Car (it's what she's named it) on Monday.  She cried and cried and cried.  She is attached to so many things.  Every night she asks where Black Car is.  I've started prepping her for the transition.  I just hope it goes well.  It will be a long life if she can't like the new ride.

I Blame Dodge

We still don't know anything about my car.  On one hand it's a great lesson in patience.  If you haven't noticed, I lack patience more than I lack back hair.  Well, that's not to say that I have back hair, because I don't.  It's just the first analogy that came to mind.  It wasn't a good one.  I'll just say I have no patience.

Alrighty, forgetting the back hair thing and moving right along.

I'm not being entirely truthful.  When it comes to potty training and moving to a big girl bed, I have all the patience in the world.  When it comes to cars and the unknown, I freak out.  It was so bad last night that I'm pretty sure I could feel specific hairs on my head turning gray.

I know that's not going to do my any good.  Then again I may get a senior discount on labor at the mechanic.

I'm Having a Nancy Kerrigan Moment...Please Excuse Me

Do you remember Nancy Kerrigan?  Do you remember when she got whacked on the knee by Tanya Harding's husband, ex-husband, boyfriend, whatever he was?

She sat on the bench at the ice skating rink, holding her knee going, "why me?  Why me?"  She had that ugly cry face on and just kept rocking.

That's how I am this Monday morning.  I'm rocking and calling out "why me?"

I had another post this morning that was ready to go, but I stopped it when I walked back home this morning.  In heels.  All up hill.  In the snow.

Totally kidding about the actual snow, but it's definitely cold enough to snow.

Why would I do that?  My car died.  Like it won't go another step.  Last week we spent Zoe's first year of college tuition to get the clutch changed on it.  Now it's dead.  Something made a loud clank and then it just stopped.  Fortunately at the clank I turned onto a side street.  My biggest fear is having my car die in an intersection.

Now I get to wait for a tow truck.  Honestly, I'm having a Nancy Kerrigan moment.  Except I'm not in pain or crying.  Just slowly watching my hair turn gray.

Charlie Daniels Started The Same Way

This week we had the awesome opportunity to enjoy a concert.  They played the songs that Zoe knows by heart, so it was a little like they were playing just for her. 

D started violin this school year.  In 5th grade the students can take either a string instrument or a band instrument.  After months of practice and learning, they held their first concert in the gym.

It was a little weird being there since it's actually my alma mater too.  Some of the records on the track wall are kids from my class.  Mr. Triplett used to have his office in the northeast corner.  The mascot that's painted above the lunch room window was done during my time at the school.  It had a little deja vu action and thought that maybe I should go back home and get my flute.

As the kids were getting situated I told Zoe that they'd probably play some Hot Cross Buns.  Or is it Hot Crossed Buns?  Either way it's not how I take my buns.  There may also be some Twinkle Twinkle Little Star action too, but I couldn't promise Zoe anything.

As teh 5th grade strings began to play, Zoe yells out, "is this Twinkle Twinkle Little Star yet?"  Because they hadn't really started, I'm sure everyone heard her disappointment when she realized it was just that hot buns song that she doesn't really know.

She made it through a couple more songs before they played Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

I honestly thought Zoe was going to have a heart attack right there from excitement.  She danced and clapped and yelled "MORE" when they were done.  She's got plans for D to bring over her violin and play her a personal concert. 

After a few "shhsh's" from me, she quieted down just in time for D's solo.  This is the same girl who got totally nervous and turned red at the thought of singing in the Christmas program at church.  Now she's introducing herself to the audience, telling the name of her solo piece and knocking that Hopscotch song right out of the park.

D, we couldn't be more proud of you.  Watching you play your violin and perform for a packed house was the absolute highlight of our month.  Thank you for inviting us.  Zoe thanks you for playing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.  She's fully prepared to sing along with you if you bring your violin here.

I know your daddy and me would be a captive audience.

Maybe you can explain the Hot Cross (Crossed?) Buns song to me. 

She's Got Almost As Many Medals As Shaun White...If We Gave Medals

Last Friday we moved Zoe into a big girl bed.  With that came some major changes to her routine.  I may be a mom that babies my daughter.  I know N thinks that of me.  I like to think I'm a creature of routine.  I don't particularily like changes to my routine.

However, I also know Zoe can't stay in diapers and cuddle in my arms when she goes off to college.  Changes are inevitable.

Zoe is my daughter in many ways.  She's also a child of routine.  Changes aren't her favorite thing.  Part of moving to a big girl bed included giving up a bottle. 

After 5 nights of her asking for a bottle and crying when I told her that big girls don't drink bottles, she's stopped asking and stopped crying.  Tonight may be a different story, but I'm considering that a milestone.

The second milestone is that she stays in her big girl bed and sleeps through the night.  That part of the transition was seamless.  Can I get an amen?  Thank you so much for the first pump along with that amen!

As if these two things weren't big enough, Zoe is also totally potty trained.  We did some big business this weekend in a public restroom during our swim time at the YMCA.

I've got to say, I was the most thrilled about that one.  Gone are the diapers, bottles and crib. 

Here's to the days of finding all the public restrooms during our travels. 

The Resemblance is Uncanny

One of Zoe's favorite things to do is pretend play.  Depending on the minute, we could be princesses, superheroes, doctors or ballet dancers.  She loves to pretend.  The other night she made a bed on the coffee table, pretended to sleep and then woke up saying, "oh that clock!  Killjoy!"

Apparently she was Cinderella.

One of the newer things is getting into costume.  She likes to not only act the part, but look the part.  We went to the craft store this week to get some supplies for her big girl room.  We're making some wall decor that I'll show as soon as I'm actually done with it!

She found a display of hats.  They had shark hats, pirate hats, moose hats and any animal you could imagine.  On the bottom shelf they had beanies.  The ones with the propellers on the top.  Immediately she put it on and claimed she was Paublo from The Backyardigans. 

When we got home I asked her to do a Paublo pose for the camera and this is what I got.

The resemblance is amazing.

What I'm most amazed at is how accurate the pose is.  I thought she was just being silly when she posed like that.  Actually she's much more observant that I had ever thought.

McTeacher

One of my dearest friends is Becca.  We've been friends for 10 years.  On one hand I cannot believe it's been 10 years already.  It seems like just yesterday we graduated college and began our first real-life job.  On the other hand I can't believe it's only been 10 years.  She's someone I feel like I've known my whole life.  Her friendship is something I count as a blessing that I totally don't deserve.  She's the absolute best.

She's also the mother of Tucker, the dog that has won over Zoe's heart.  Aunt Becca and Uncle Josh are two of Zoe's favorite people.  When we hang out together it means she gets some much needed love from her favorite 4-legged friend. 

Not to mention it puts off the need for a puppy.

When Aunt Becca informed us that Uncle Josh was going to be serving up french fries at a local McDonalds, we jumped at the chance to go see him.  The McDonalds in Deer Park hosted McTeacher night.  Part of the proceeds from that night's sales would go back to the Deer Park school where Uncle Josh works.

We loaded in Aunt Becca's car and headed up to McD's for some ice cream.

I'll tell you what, go to a McD's on a McTeacher night and your child will feel like the Belle of the Ronald McDonald ball.  When we walked in she got a star sticker for her hand and a Ronald McDonald crown.  I'm pretty sure I saw her doing her princess wave to all the other kids who were there.

We ordered our ice cream and princess-waved to Uncle Josh who was at the fry machine in deep conversation with the actual McDonald's employee.  We're pretty sure he was learning all about oils, best cooking heat and the best wrist technique for shaking the extra grease off.  Uncle Josh is a constant learner like that.

Fortunately he did stop a moment from all the learning to pose in his apron.

Zoe took a moment from her ice cream to pose.  This is her official Princess Ronald McDonald photo.

Thanks Uncle Josh for working the industrial fry daddy for us.  We enjoyed visiting with you.

Happy Birthday to Our Peeps

Happy Birthday Nanny, Uncle Jerry and Great Uncle Mike.

We love you this much!

El Nino Heat Brings March Flowers

We have had an unusual winter.  I think we've had two days with any snow that stuck to the ground.  After the last two winters, I'm not quite sure what to do with myself.  No sledding, no shoveling and no white Christmas.

It's weird. 

What's even more weird is that Zoe and I have been able to play outside this week when I get home from work.  We've been pulling weeds and measuring my tulips.

They're about 3 inches so far. 

I think I need a real winter.  I keep thinking it's almost June. 

Another Bites the Dust...Or Not

In 2000 my mom bought two, $0.12 gold fish from the pet store. She bought a round bowl for them to live in. My nephew MJ was almost 2 and they were for him to enjoy. He would take the bowl in the middle of the table and spin it. The poor fish would slosh around and get their fins stable just in time for MJ to spin the bowl again. These two fish got the names Dizzy and Spinner because of this.


They were the same types of goldfish that you’d win at the carnival. They weren’t expected to live for very long. My mom anticipated they’d be dead before MJ turned 3.

He’s going to be 12 this year and she’s still cleaning a fish tank.

They are mutant fish size now. I actually think you could put them with Koi in a pond and you’d never know they were 12-cent goldfish bought a decade ago. From the tip of their face to the end of their tail, they’re at least 6 inches, but probably closer to 8.

Within the last 6 months one of the fish jumped to his death. My mom was out shopping and came home to find only one fish in the tank. We’re assuming that was Dizzy that jumped to his death.

Last night my mom went to bed later than usual and was overly tired. She set her alarm for early morning so she could get some work done that she hadn’t the energy to do. The alarm went off and she didn’t want to get up. Then she heard it. It sounded like boxes falling in the living room.

She lives alone and immediately her mind started to race that someone was in the house. She went to investigate only to find the house empty. She laid back in bed and heard the noise again.

She went out to the living room and heard nothing. Immediately she thought it was a rat or a mouse. Then the noise started again.

Spinner had jumped out of the tank, landed in a box that was set to go to the dump and was flopping around. She’s always warned the fish that if they jump out of the tank, they’re out of luck because she won’t touch a live fish.

After the flopping stopped, my mom started to feel sorry for Spinner. The poor fish was suffering. Even though she had no idea she’d have these fish for a decade, she’s grown quite fond of them. She grabbed a towel, screamed her head off and put Spinner into the tank. It had been 30 minutes of flopping around and she was concerned he’d just float and she’d prolonged his suffering.

Is that what he did? Nope! He started swimming around like he was out for a field trip. He’s alive and well. The front of his face looks a little different, but he’s absolutely fine.

One on hand we’re relieved that he’s alive and well. I’m totally proud of my mom for facing some fears and saving the poor guy.

On the other hand, if a fish can survive for 30 minutes in an old computer box, he’ll be around for awhile. Probably until MJ has kids of his own.

I Blame Keds

I was always the kid who wanted to be like everyone else.  If the cool kids were crimping their hair and putting it into a side ponytail you better believe I wanted to do that.  It didn't matter how ridiculous it looked.

In junior high the cool thing was Keds.  White Keds with four lace holes on each side and a blue "Keds" tag in the back.  You could get a similar shoe at other stores with a green tag in the back, but it wasn't the same.  It screamed "wannabe" rather than "cool."  Or so I thought.  Honestly, my permed and ratted hair screamed "wannabe" way more than colored tag on the back of my shoes, but the 13-year old me wouldn't have ever believed that.

I still remember the first day my mom said I could have the Keds.  It's such a big deal that it's one of the few things I actually remember from junior high. 

Apparently this awareness starts much earlier than 13 now.  It could be the times or it could be that I was just totally unaware of status.  I'm going to choose to believe it's the times.

It's Sunday morning and Zoe is in the nursery at church waiting for all her friends to arrive.  She's in adorable navy blue pants with butterflies on them and a green shirt to match.  She's got on her new Echo shoes that sparkle and her hair is perfect.  Then her friends arrive.

First Carolina shows up in a princess-like dress.  The bodice is covered in pink, satin roses and the skirt is overlaid with tulle.  It's a cross between a princess dress and a frilly Easter dress.  It's beautiful. 

Then Eve shows up.  She's in a princess-like dress.  There are flowers and tulle.

Then Katie shows up.  Same thing.

Zoe starts to cry.  She wants her princess dress too! 

I'm going to confess.  I'm not a fan of those dresses.  They're cute, but they're really frilly.  I have a hard time paying money for a dress that looks like she's entering Miss Toddler USA.  Do I put on some red lipstick, put her hair in pin curls and teach her something to do for a talent competition? 

I thought Zoe looked perfect.  She could run, jump, climb and whatever other physical activity she wanted in her pants.  She was girlie too.  Pink butterflies are totally girlie.

Her outfit didn't have tulle and satin flowers and frill.  It didn't twirl and make her feel like Cinderella at the Sunday School ball. 

It was crushing. 

We tried on last year's Easter dress and the Christmas dress.  Apparently these are the only acceptable outfits for Sunday School. 

My mom willingly spent an extra $10 to get me the blue label on the back of my shoes.  I'd spend $1,000 on the tulle and satin flowers.  Everyone needs to feel like a princess.

Ten, Dix, Zehn, Diez, A Decade. A Whole Decade.

In all honesty I never thought a decade could go by so quickly.  When my ten year high school reunion came upon me, I felt like it had been more than ten years since I was forced to do P.E., put all my books in a locker and ate my lunch in the hall of the annex with my friend.

High school wasn't a time of fun.  It was torture.  I had zero desire to celebrate at a reunion with people I didn't talk to and couldn't remember their names.  I think I'll always feel like the dork from high school in that crowd.

College was a different experience.  Make no mistake, I was still a total dork, but there is something about college that I can look back on and appreciate.  I made some really amazing friends at college, had some memorable times and realize I didn't enjoy it near enough.

I was on Facebook the other day and saw that my ten year college reunion was happening this fall.  Ten years since I went to Western Baptist, now Corban College, the college surrounded by most of the prisions in Oregon.  I don't think I could believe it. 

Granted my student loans are almost paid off, so I knew it was coming.  It's totally eye-opening.  I can no longer related to college students.  I'm closer to 40 than I am to a freshman in college.  I started to realize this when Zoe was a baby and I was pulling all-nighters.  I don't pull all-nighters.  Especially not 10 years after college.

Imagine my surprise when I received a call from my good friend Brooke.  She's helping plan the reunion and wanted my help.  We were two girls who went to college for an education and new friends.  Neither of us walked out with an M.R.S. degree, but we did make some awesome memories.

We experienced many firsts together and I am so excited to have a chance to work together.  If she's the only other person who shows up to the reunion, then it'll be worth it.

We're both secretly hoping our reunion is huge.  If you're one of my college peeps and graduated in 2000, the reunion is October 1 & 2.  Plan on coming.  We'd love to see you even if we didn't chat much in college.  We're both much cooler now than we were then.  Or at least much more social!

That's What I Get For Thinking

I'm a planner.  A type-A planner.  I like spontaneity, so long as the other person in the mix has taken care of all the other stuff.  N is constantly telling me I need to relax.  Usually all I hear is "blah blah blah" because I'm busy cleaning or planning.

One thing we're in the process of planning is upgrading Zoe's room to a toddler room.  Gone are the days of the crib and changing table.  This girl is potty trained and ready for a real bed.  How do I know she's ready?  She mentions a big girl bed 752 times a day.  Then comes the "can I, can I?"

I found some really cute bedding at Pottery Barn Kids that I just couldn't live without.  Then my planner mind started working.  If we did the toddler bed and Zoe got sick, it would be really hard to put her to bed because I couldn't hold her like she likes.  If we did the toddler bed and she just wouldn't fall asleep, I couldn't lay in the bed with her because let's face it, I'm not toddler size.

What sealed the deal was my lack of understanding with the whole toddler bed thing.  The rail that turns our crib into a toddler bed was $100 before taxes and before shipping.  In my planner mind, if we just spent another hundred or so we could have a new twin bed that could carry her much farther before needing something new.  Not to mention the twin bedding is SO.MUCH.CUTER than the toddler bed size. 

Then the question becomes how do you pay for a total room makeover?  Actually that's more N's question.  He knows when I start to plan, it means that some money will be spent. 

You sell your old stuff.  I posted some things to Craigslist this weekend.  Because I have no idea if my items would sell, I figured I'd give myself a week before the new bed came and see what kind of interest the baby stuff would generate.

Yeah, it all sold in 4 hours.

All of it.

Like Zoe no longer has a quilt and I need to convince the people that want the crib that if they can wait until Saturday we'll deliver.  Because my daughter is still sleeping in it.

That's what I get for thinking my plan will work out.  God has a way of teaching me that planning means nothing.  He's the only planner.  I think he likes to watch me sweat a little when I try to over plan.

Like when I'm trying to figure out where Zoe will sleep for another week.