Double Talk

I've noticed a universal thing that all parents do, myself and Chris included:

We say everything twice.

Not just repeating syllables like mama, dada, baba, num-nums, night-night, jam-jams, etc., but even when we're just talking to Dutch we say everything a second time. I think it's because we're hoping for a reaction the second time. This is how a typical conversation goes:

Me: Dutchie. Dutch! Do you want some cereal?
Dutch: [Ignoring me completely]
Me: Huh? Do you want some num-nums?
Dutch: [Looks my way, then ignores me again]
Me: Yeah, let's go have some num-nums. Mmmm, num-nums.

Sometimes I can get him to laugh, but for the most part he just ignores me or stares at me like I'm an idiot. After reviewing this conversation I have to say that I agree with him. I am an idiot! But then so is everyone who talks to a kid that can't respond.

Idiots unite!

Favorite Picture Friday

This is Dutch in his big-boy carseat.
As you can see, all of his length is in his legs.
I guess that's the Davis part of him!

New Outfit

A classmate of mine (Chris) went to India over the Christmas holiday and brought this outfit back for Dutch.

A First

It's thundering and lightning outside... in the middle of a snowstorm. It's the weirdest thing I've experienced today.

A List for Tuesday

Five Foods that Dutch Has Eaten (in alphabetical order)

1. Applesauce
2. Bananas
3. Peas
4. Squash (his least favorite)
5. Sweet potatoes (his most favorite)

Asleep

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Flirty Baby

Chris's 28th birthday was Thursday. I didn't mention it that day because he doesn't like a big deal made out of his birthday (although he will use the "But it's my birthday" excuse if it helps him). Anyway, we went out to dinner for his birthday and Dutch was being so funny. He would coo, laugh, or smile at EVERY waitress that went by. I think that every single one of them stopped at one time or another to tell us how cute he was. I just couldn't believe it. Not even 7 months old and already a Heartbreaker.

Nothing Much to Say

Here's a picture of Grandpa Greg, Dutchie, and Jocco the Sock Monkey.

A List for Tuesday

Five Goals I Have for This Year:

1. Keep growing my hair out, which doesn't mean I'm never going to cut it, just that I won't cut it a lot.
2. Finish my novel by the end of this semester so I can spend next semester doing re-writes.
3. Finally lose my baby weight and get down to my pre-pregnancy weight, or at least somewhere near it.
4. Take lots of pictures and spend lots of time with Dutchie.
5. Read more, watch less TV.

Birthday Fun

Some of you have been asking what I did for my birthday, so here it is. We walked around the mall (it was too cold to go anywhere else). We got take-out from a super-yummy restaurant called Atria's, we had to get take-out because the wait for a table was an hour and Chris was hungry NOW. Then we came home and watched movies together.

Okay, so it wasn't super-exciting, but we had a really good day.

Happy Birthday to ME!

These are some pictures of recent birthdays past.

Favorite Picture Friday

This is Dad and me in the house in Ephraim.
And yes, I was really comfortable!

One Year to Go

Well my week-long writer's residency is over for another semester! Only two more to go until I graduate. That's right, this time next year I will be an official Master of Writing! Mwah-ha-ha! Bow to me peons!

I had an amazing time and learned a lot about writing and myself. Chris learned that he could not be a stay at home Dad. I learned I could not work a 12-hour shift every day for the rest of my life and be happy about it. Dutch learned to smile at Mama every time he saw me because that might be the only time he saw me that day. I also wanted to thank Chris publicly for blogging in my absence on a semi-regular basis.

Lastly, I missed my nephew's 7th birthday yesterday, so a nice big shout-out to Marcus for growing another year! Love you!

Pictures

Dutch's First Shooting Experience

With Aunt Cousin Sara

A Boy and His Dog

New High Chair

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My Baby is (WAY) Bigger Than Your Baby

I'm foregoing Favorite Picture Friday because there is too much other stuff to talk about. First things first, we went to Dutch's 6-month doctor visit and A LOT happened. He weighs 19 pounds, 1 ounce, which is a little above average, but not a big deal. His head circumference is 44 centimeters, which is a little below average, but, again, not a big deal. His height, however, is off the charts huge! He is now 29 inches long! It looks like he's taking after Grandpa Greg, because he's grown 3 1/2 inches in the last two months! Dr. Shaver was pretty astounded by his rapid growth, as were Chris and I. He used to have these short stubby legs and now all of a sudden all of his pants are too short!

Because he's so long we have to buy him a new car seat, which is turning into more of a process than I would like. Chris wants the cheapest one (of course) and I want the one that we will be able to use for the longest amount of time. We also just bought him a highchair so that he can sit up like a big boy when he eats his cereal.

In other doctor news, we found out Dutch has an ear infection. It's only a small one (thank goodness), but it does explain why he's been pulling at his ear. He also had to get shots today :(, including his first flu shot. He was very unhappy with us and the nurse, but seems to be pretty happy now.

And while we're going through money like it's toilet paper, we also have to purchase a new printer, a cool mist humidifier to help with Dutch's cold, and one of those DTV converter boxes. I guess I know what Chris and I will be buying each other for our birthdays!

In Summary

We just spent the last three weeks in Utah and I didn't really blog very much while we were there, so here is a summary of all the things we got to do:

• We spent lots of time with family and friends (Hayden, Bryson, and Brexton were the only ones we didn't get to see)
• Grandpa Greg took us to Joe's Crab Shack where I got to get crab! I love crab, but it takes about 3 times more time to eat than a regular meal, so everyone had to sit there while I ate.
• We went to the cabin for New Years with Matt, Holly and Ashlyn, and Clarissa and Cambria.
• Dutchie got spoiled for Christmas, his favorite gift being a sock monkey that Grandma Kellie made for him that I promptly named Jocco.
• My favorite gift was a vintage charm in the shape of a baby shoe; Kellie had Dutch's name and birthdate put onto it and it's wonderful!
• I spent more money than I should have on things I don't need, but justified it by saying that it was Christmas money I was spending.
• I got to spend some quality time with my family, because my aunt and her fam moved to Utah.
• I got to take my beautiful cousin on a two cent tour of Snow College AND got to eat at Roy's, all in the same day!

Okay, so I think that's a fairly good review of the things I didn't blog about. Any questions?

Trip to Pittsburgh: Day Three

We are home, we are safe. I am tired.

Trip to Pittsburgh: Day One

These are of Dutch taking a bath in Grandma Kellie's sink.
Doesn't he look like he's lounging in a hot tub?

We drove from Sandy, Utah to Sidney, Nebraska today. It was a good day and Dutch did really well. My head hurts, but hopefully I will able to get a good night's sleep. Anyway, I'll keep you updated tomorrow!

A Momentous Occasion

My baby is 6 months old today! Can you believe it?

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday to Erica!

Happy birthday to Clarissa!

Favorite Picture Friday