I know I won't have time to post tomorrow, so I might as well get it done today. Tomorrow is Brannan's second Thanksgiving, and this year he will be able to eat the turkey, the gravy and everything else on the table! Yeeehaw! I don't know why I like this holiday, maybe because I love to eat good food??? I guess so!
I've been shopping for a week now and think I have everything, but then realized I am having friends over for dinner tonight and am going to have to sacrifice a few of our staples for dinner tonight. That's fine though, the more the merrier.
I just with my sister and my parents were going to be here for Thanksgiving. That's ok, though, they are all healthy and happy, just in different parts of the country right now. I had such a great time with my sister in Chicago, I just wish she was here all the time - we have grown so much closer since Brannan's conception. It's kindof crazy.
So, now I have to finish off my Nanaimo dessert bars and make some sort of potato gratin for dinner tonight.
Happy day before Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
My weekend in Chicago...
This past weekend I went to see my sister in Chicago (without Brannan or Byron, yay! Not that I don’t love them or anything, just needed some time away) and we had a super duper awesome time.
We started out on Friday night at the most awesome oyster house in Chicago called Shaw’s Oyster House. I had 2 oysters (I’m not really into oysters, but my sis loves them) and then we had fish and chips and the most amazing scallops I’ve ever had in my life. They were about the size of Milk Duds and they tasted almost as sweet and they were smothered in butter! On top of all that, we had about 5 pomegranate martinis each and we quickly made friends with our neighbors at the bar. On one side, this super cool gay guy named Adam befriended us and even secured us seats at one of the hottest drag shows in Chicago for the next night. We also set up a date later that night to meet him at one of the hottest gay bars in “Boy’s Town”.
Well, my sister had already secured seats at the show “Wicked” for the night and I was really excited to see it. So, we had to exit the bar after about 3 hours of meeting and greeting everyone there. I was bummed to leave, but was really excited to go and see the show.
And, this show was truly awesome! The singers were so amazing and the sets and the dancers and just the whole scene made it so great! Not to mention, the story was great too! I highly suggest this show for anyone and everyone.
After the show, it was probably about 10pm and we decided that we were spent and couldn’t meet our new friend, Adam, out at the bar because we were so tired, so we headed back home.
The next morning, we had plans to see the city. We started off on the “Magnificent Mile” where all the shopping is and since my sister didn’t have any gloves or a hat, we decided that we needed to hit a little store for some cheapo gloves and a hat. We went to Walgreens (I had to go there anyway for some allergy medicine because her cat was making my allergies go crazy) but she didn’t see anything there that she wanted. So, we walked by Burberry, Coach, Talbots and other spendy shops. I suggested them all, then saw the Gap down the street. I said, “let’s stop in there, they should have something for you” so she said “yeah, that’s cool”.
I’ve never been into a Gap as busy as this one was. They actually had a DJ at the entrance! Madonna was BLARING over the speakers and it was so loud it was almost annoying. So, we wandered the store in search of gloves and a hat and I hit the sale rack in case they had some warmer weather stuff for really cheap and actually found a few items. We met up again and decided to hit the checkout line (which was really, really long) and an employee came up to us and said that the men’s department upstairs had more cash registers and the lines weren’t as long. (And, the bathrooms were up there too).
So we headed upstairs since I had to go there anyway and waited in line. After we paid for our items, the cashiers gave us each a raffle ticket to enter into their raffle. Ok, yeah, whatever, another raffle entry. They said that you could win a $1000 gift card. So, of course, we wrote our names on the back of the tickets and since I had to go to the bathroom, I sent my sister upstairs another flight to drop them into the raffle box. As we met up once again, I said, “man, wouldn’t it be cool to win a $1000 gift card???!???!!!”
So, we go about the rest of our day, see a photography exhibit, go to the top of the Sears Tower, eat an authentic Italian Beef sandwich and an authentic Chicago hot dog, then head on back to her apartment for a few glasses of wine and a nap. It is nearing 5:00 and we have plans to go and see the annual Christmas parade where they light up Michigan Avenue with all of their Christmas lights with a parade and end up walking a ton (hence the blisters on my toes). While we are walking around, though, her phone rang and I said, “hey, maybe it is the Gap letting you know that you won the raffle!” Yeah, ha ha. She said, yeah, ha ha, I’ll check anyway. She checks, it isn’t them, so we watch the parade then go to Frontera Grill for super yummy margaritas and some super yummy appetizers.
We hit another few bars and at about 9:30 we are calling it quits (we started early and we had awesome sister time and spent a LOT of money!) so we head on back to the apartment.
I left my cell phone at the apartment hooked up to the charger since it was losing juice and as we came in, I grabbed it to see if I got any calls, and it said I had 2 new voicemails. Hmm, I freak out for a millisecond wondering if Brannan is ok, and dial into my voicemail.
The next thing I hear is “Hi, this is Julie from the Gap, please give me a call back.”
What the?????
I screamed at my sister – “NO WAY!!!! Do you think I won????”
I don’t even wait for her to answer and listen to the next message: “Hi, this is Jared from the Gap, please give me a call back.”
HOLY CRAP!
I call Jared back immediately and he said I WON!!!!!!
I WON THE GIFT CARD!!!!!! Can you believe it???? ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS at the GAP!
I scream a ton and scare my sister’s neighbors and jump up and down for about 10 minutes.
I felt like I won the lottery! Man, $1000 is going to buy a LOT of clothes at the Gap!
Thank you Gap Gods for shining down on me during this time of recession….
Well, needless to say, I had a BLAST in Chicago!
I LOVE CHICAGO!!!
Now, sis, when are we going to NYC?????
We started out on Friday night at the most awesome oyster house in Chicago called Shaw’s Oyster House. I had 2 oysters (I’m not really into oysters, but my sis loves them) and then we had fish and chips and the most amazing scallops I’ve ever had in my life. They were about the size of Milk Duds and they tasted almost as sweet and they were smothered in butter! On top of all that, we had about 5 pomegranate martinis each and we quickly made friends with our neighbors at the bar. On one side, this super cool gay guy named Adam befriended us and even secured us seats at one of the hottest drag shows in Chicago for the next night. We also set up a date later that night to meet him at one of the hottest gay bars in “Boy’s Town”.
Well, my sister had already secured seats at the show “Wicked” for the night and I was really excited to see it. So, we had to exit the bar after about 3 hours of meeting and greeting everyone there. I was bummed to leave, but was really excited to go and see the show.
And, this show was truly awesome! The singers were so amazing and the sets and the dancers and just the whole scene made it so great! Not to mention, the story was great too! I highly suggest this show for anyone and everyone.
After the show, it was probably about 10pm and we decided that we were spent and couldn’t meet our new friend, Adam, out at the bar because we were so tired, so we headed back home.
The next morning, we had plans to see the city. We started off on the “Magnificent Mile” where all the shopping is and since my sister didn’t have any gloves or a hat, we decided that we needed to hit a little store for some cheapo gloves and a hat. We went to Walgreens (I had to go there anyway for some allergy medicine because her cat was making my allergies go crazy) but she didn’t see anything there that she wanted. So, we walked by Burberry, Coach, Talbots and other spendy shops. I suggested them all, then saw the Gap down the street. I said, “let’s stop in there, they should have something for you” so she said “yeah, that’s cool”.
I’ve never been into a Gap as busy as this one was. They actually had a DJ at the entrance! Madonna was BLARING over the speakers and it was so loud it was almost annoying. So, we wandered the store in search of gloves and a hat and I hit the sale rack in case they had some warmer weather stuff for really cheap and actually found a few items. We met up again and decided to hit the checkout line (which was really, really long) and an employee came up to us and said that the men’s department upstairs had more cash registers and the lines weren’t as long. (And, the bathrooms were up there too).
So we headed upstairs since I had to go there anyway and waited in line. After we paid for our items, the cashiers gave us each a raffle ticket to enter into their raffle. Ok, yeah, whatever, another raffle entry. They said that you could win a $1000 gift card. So, of course, we wrote our names on the back of the tickets and since I had to go to the bathroom, I sent my sister upstairs another flight to drop them into the raffle box. As we met up once again, I said, “man, wouldn’t it be cool to win a $1000 gift card???!???!!!”
So, we go about the rest of our day, see a photography exhibit, go to the top of the Sears Tower, eat an authentic Italian Beef sandwich and an authentic Chicago hot dog, then head on back to her apartment for a few glasses of wine and a nap. It is nearing 5:00 and we have plans to go and see the annual Christmas parade where they light up Michigan Avenue with all of their Christmas lights with a parade and end up walking a ton (hence the blisters on my toes). While we are walking around, though, her phone rang and I said, “hey, maybe it is the Gap letting you know that you won the raffle!” Yeah, ha ha. She said, yeah, ha ha, I’ll check anyway. She checks, it isn’t them, so we watch the parade then go to Frontera Grill for super yummy margaritas and some super yummy appetizers.
We hit another few bars and at about 9:30 we are calling it quits (we started early and we had awesome sister time and spent a LOT of money!) so we head on back to the apartment.
I left my cell phone at the apartment hooked up to the charger since it was losing juice and as we came in, I grabbed it to see if I got any calls, and it said I had 2 new voicemails. Hmm, I freak out for a millisecond wondering if Brannan is ok, and dial into my voicemail.
The next thing I hear is “Hi, this is Julie from the Gap, please give me a call back.”
What the?????
I screamed at my sister – “NO WAY!!!! Do you think I won????”
I don’t even wait for her to answer and listen to the next message: “Hi, this is Jared from the Gap, please give me a call back.”
HOLY CRAP!
I call Jared back immediately and he said I WON!!!!!!
I WON THE GIFT CARD!!!!!! Can you believe it???? ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS at the GAP!
I scream a ton and scare my sister’s neighbors and jump up and down for about 10 minutes.
I felt like I won the lottery! Man, $1000 is going to buy a LOT of clothes at the Gap!
Thank you Gap Gods for shining down on me during this time of recession….
Well, needless to say, I had a BLAST in Chicago!
I LOVE CHICAGO!!!
Now, sis, when are we going to NYC?????
Thursday, October 23, 2008
13 Months
Hi Baby,
Well, now you are 13 Months old. You are getting so big and you are growing at an alarming rate. Well, not like you have a huge head or your legs are totally disproportionate or anything like that, it is just that you are growing so fast, I can't believe it. You actually *know* a lot of the things that I say to you, like "c'mon buggy, let's get out of this room" or "let's get outta here" or "time to go to the gym". It is just crazy how you are understanding us more and more.
We took you on your first cruise a couple of weeks ago. Yes, you were a Concierge Class Baby on Celebrity Cruises. Yes, you got your evening canapes and you got your crib turned down (most of the time)and you ran and ran up and down the buffet floor like there was no tomorrow. You ate lots of watermelon and canteloupe and you even had some of the "Pass-O-Guava" juice that they love to put in the dispensers. You didn't like that so much. Your cousin coerced you into trying smoked salmon, which you surprisingly liked. Even though Mom and Dad don't like it at all. You were very good overall during the vacation - probably because we deprived you of many, many naps.
Now we are home and Daddy is gone on a hunting vacation. He has been gone a long time. Almost 7 days now and it feels like an eternity. He is so good with you when he comes home from work. I was just telling your Grandma that he watches you eat dinner, cleans you up after dinner, takes you on evening walks, does you night bath and then reads you stories and puts you to bed. And that is *every* night! What a Daddy! He is awesome! That leaves me some time to do the dishes or clean up whatever has been going on in the house. But now, that he is on vacation, it is really hard to do. But, he will be home soon and we are looking very forward to it.
Well, now you are in a "big boy" seat in the car. It faces forward and you like it a lot more than your rear-facing carseat. Although you are getting really cranky riding in the car most of the times. I'm not sure why, but I'm NOT giving you a passifier to soothe you. It is against all rules. Sorry buddy.
Anyway, just wanted to catch up and say hi this month. I have to go and get some work done now. Or maybe I just need to relax for like 30 minutes...
Well, now you are 13 Months old. You are getting so big and you are growing at an alarming rate. Well, not like you have a huge head or your legs are totally disproportionate or anything like that, it is just that you are growing so fast, I can't believe it. You actually *know* a lot of the things that I say to you, like "c'mon buggy, let's get out of this room" or "let's get outta here" or "time to go to the gym". It is just crazy how you are understanding us more and more.
We took you on your first cruise a couple of weeks ago. Yes, you were a Concierge Class Baby on Celebrity Cruises. Yes, you got your evening canapes and you got your crib turned down (most of the time)and you ran and ran up and down the buffet floor like there was no tomorrow. You ate lots of watermelon and canteloupe and you even had some of the "Pass-O-Guava" juice that they love to put in the dispensers. You didn't like that so much. Your cousin coerced you into trying smoked salmon, which you surprisingly liked. Even though Mom and Dad don't like it at all. You were very good overall during the vacation - probably because we deprived you of many, many naps.
Now we are home and Daddy is gone on a hunting vacation. He has been gone a long time. Almost 7 days now and it feels like an eternity. He is so good with you when he comes home from work. I was just telling your Grandma that he watches you eat dinner, cleans you up after dinner, takes you on evening walks, does you night bath and then reads you stories and puts you to bed. And that is *every* night! What a Daddy! He is awesome! That leaves me some time to do the dishes or clean up whatever has been going on in the house. But now, that he is on vacation, it is really hard to do. But, he will be home soon and we are looking very forward to it.
Well, now you are in a "big boy" seat in the car. It faces forward and you like it a lot more than your rear-facing carseat. Although you are getting really cranky riding in the car most of the times. I'm not sure why, but I'm NOT giving you a passifier to soothe you. It is against all rules. Sorry buddy.
Anyway, just wanted to catch up and say hi this month. I have to go and get some work done now. Or maybe I just need to relax for like 30 minutes...
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Now, officially 1
Well, we have had a ton of things happening lately. We have been to New Hampshire for a wedding (on your official birthday) then we had relatives in town for your impromptu birthday and then we had a party on this past Sunday. It was pretty fun. We had an afternoon of cake and gifts and some yummy eating. You had lots of fun running around and eating nothing of nutritional value except probably that one cheese stick that I happened to give you while socializing. Well, that's ok, it was your first birthday.
Some friends were kindof bummed that Grandma and Pappy didn't show up for your birthday. Honestly, I was a little bummed too. They claimed that they thing we "saw enough of each other" this past weekend, but you know what, I don't think that grandparents can ever see enough of their grandbabies. I know, one day, when you have kiddos of your own, I will want to babysit all the time and try to help your wife with all of her baby question (but will try not to be the nasty MIL). Anyway, I digress and am getting way too ahead of myself. You are only 1! You better not be thinking of having any babies anytime soon! You little rascal.
You are a little rascal. You have resorted to throwing things over the baby gate that we have installed between our living room and our kitchen/dining room area. I know you need attention when you start chucking things over that gate. It is kinda funny and neat to watch you develop this way. You have learned that you can get our attention by throwing bricks of Legos onto the Saltillo tile floor. You really just want to walk around with us in the kitchen area while we are making you a snack or making you dinner or going through our mail. But, baby, sometimes that isn't always possible. Sometimes you need to be corraled up in that area so you don't play in the dog water dishes. Sometimes you don't need to be eating the leftovers you threw on the floor at breakfast. But, mainly, we just want you to be safe. Sorry, child!
I love being home with you all day and taking you out on our little errands. It is the best thing that has ever happened to me. You are my little Secret. One day I will tell you about this little Secret, although it is quite popular in our culture these days. You know, I kindof think of this little diary as a time capsule for you. I hope one day you will read this and know how much I love you. How scared I was at first with you and how my love for you grew and grew into something that is immeasurable.
I can only hope that you will realize this one day.
Love,
your mom
Some friends were kindof bummed that Grandma and Pappy didn't show up for your birthday. Honestly, I was a little bummed too. They claimed that they thing we "saw enough of each other" this past weekend, but you know what, I don't think that grandparents can ever see enough of their grandbabies. I know, one day, when you have kiddos of your own, I will want to babysit all the time and try to help your wife with all of her baby question (but will try not to be the nasty MIL). Anyway, I digress and am getting way too ahead of myself. You are only 1! You better not be thinking of having any babies anytime soon! You little rascal.
You are a little rascal. You have resorted to throwing things over the baby gate that we have installed between our living room and our kitchen/dining room area. I know you need attention when you start chucking things over that gate. It is kinda funny and neat to watch you develop this way. You have learned that you can get our attention by throwing bricks of Legos onto the Saltillo tile floor. You really just want to walk around with us in the kitchen area while we are making you a snack or making you dinner or going through our mail. But, baby, sometimes that isn't always possible. Sometimes you need to be corraled up in that area so you don't play in the dog water dishes. Sometimes you don't need to be eating the leftovers you threw on the floor at breakfast. But, mainly, we just want you to be safe. Sorry, child!
I love being home with you all day and taking you out on our little errands. It is the best thing that has ever happened to me. You are my little Secret. One day I will tell you about this little Secret, although it is quite popular in our culture these days. You know, I kindof think of this little diary as a time capsule for you. I hope one day you will read this and know how much I love you. How scared I was at first with you and how my love for you grew and grew into something that is immeasurable.
I can only hope that you will realize this one day.
Love,
your mom
Monday, September 1, 2008
11 months, 3 weeks old
Your birthday is coming up. In fact it is in less than 12 days. I can't believe that it has been almost a whole year since you came into my life. I have been having the best time with you lately, although it has been quite hectic. We went back East to visit relatives a couple of weekends ago and since Daddy didn't come with us, it was fun navigating the airport, the security screening and the flight all by ourselves. Even though we got to fly first-class on our way home, you didn't seem to want to sit for 4 hours in a seat. That's ok though, we made it through just fine and you weren't the screaming baby on the plane that everyone secretly despises.
We are going on another trip on the weekend of your birthday, although it isn't to celebrate your birthday. We are going to a wedding (back East yet again) but this time Daddy and our best friends will all be on the flight with us so they can help if you get restless.
You have been walking a lot lately and even have been getting the courage to leave the couch to walk to one of us on your own. It is really neat to watch you do this. We are really working on your swimming abilities. We are going to sign you up to take the next class at the local pool. It is fun to do this with you too. You are turning into a little toddler slowly but surely. We have even been weening you from your pacifier. It isn't hard to do because you are so agreeable and such a good baby, but every now and then you need that soothing. That's ok by me. Daddy has been doing a wonderful job of sending you to bed for the night without one though. I guess I'm a little softer and send you to naps with it. You are getting to be a big boy though and soon you won't need them. Perhaps we should store them away for your next brother or sister.
Otherwise, we are preparing for your birthday. We will most likely have a little party at Grandma and Pappy's house the weekend after we come back from our trip. We'll let you smash your hands into the cake and do all that fun stuff. I'm excited to get you some new toys too!
We have so many things planned for the end of 2008. I'm sure it will be eventful and fun for you and our whole little family.
Happy birthday little buddy!
We are going on another trip on the weekend of your birthday, although it isn't to celebrate your birthday. We are going to a wedding (back East yet again) but this time Daddy and our best friends will all be on the flight with us so they can help if you get restless.
You have been walking a lot lately and even have been getting the courage to leave the couch to walk to one of us on your own. It is really neat to watch you do this. We are really working on your swimming abilities. We are going to sign you up to take the next class at the local pool. It is fun to do this with you too. You are turning into a little toddler slowly but surely. We have even been weening you from your pacifier. It isn't hard to do because you are so agreeable and such a good baby, but every now and then you need that soothing. That's ok by me. Daddy has been doing a wonderful job of sending you to bed for the night without one though. I guess I'm a little softer and send you to naps with it. You are getting to be a big boy though and soon you won't need them. Perhaps we should store them away for your next brother or sister.
Otherwise, we are preparing for your birthday. We will most likely have a little party at Grandma and Pappy's house the weekend after we come back from our trip. We'll let you smash your hands into the cake and do all that fun stuff. I'm excited to get you some new toys too!
We have so many things planned for the end of 2008. I'm sure it will be eventful and fun for you and our whole little family.
Happy birthday little buddy!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Oh BOY!
Oh Boy, I am so sorry that I have not written in so long. You have been such an amazing creature that I don't even want to be on the computer. And, even if I am on the computer, I really do have to do work, so I usually limit the time. Anyway, you have been doing so much lately. It seem like I haven't written since you were 7 months old. So sorry!!! Anyway, now you are 10 months old and you are a crazy little baby! You have 4 teeth and 2 more coming in, you can crawl everywhere and you totally love to crawl on the Saltillo tile that we have all over the house. You are eating everything on your own now, and you really don't like us to feed you anymore. It is like you are just totally your own person now. I can't even believe it. I really wanted this space to show your progressions, but it seems that I have been so involved with you every day (and all the free time I do have is done working so I don't want to waste it on the computer).
Anyway, you are so awesome. We went on our first swim lesson last night. We sang fun songs like "motorboat motorboat" and stuff like that. You put your head right in the water like you usually do. You are fearless. And totally cute. And adorable. And the best thing that ever happened to me!
Anyway, you are so awesome. We went on our first swim lesson last night. We sang fun songs like "motorboat motorboat" and stuff like that. You put your head right in the water like you usually do. You are fearless. And totally cute. And adorable. And the best thing that ever happened to me!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
My utensil
| You Are a Fork |
 People find your honesty to be a bit piercing at times. You are driven and wildly ambitious. You know what you want, and you take the most direct path to getting it. |
=http://www.blogthings.com/whatutensilareyouquiz/">What Utensil Are You?
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