In Case I Don't See You...

Tomorrow morning, early-early, I leave for a week-long trip to visit my big sister in Texas. Just Dutch and I are going, Chris has to stay and work, poor baby. Anyway, I'm not sure how much I'll blog, so if you don't hear from me this next week don't worry, we're just fine! We'll be having fun in the sun in Texas with Aunt Carianne, Uncle Carl, and cousins Carlye, Nathanael, and Noah.

Favorite Picture Friday

Boys are found everywhere--on top of, underneath, inside of,
climbing on, swinging from, running around, or jumping to.
Mothers love them, little girls hate them,
older sisters and brothers tolerate them,
adults ignore them, and Heaven protects them.
A boy is Truth with dirt on its face, Beauty with a cut on its finger,
Wisdom with bubble gum in its hair,
and the Hope of the Future with a frog in its pocket.
~Alan Marshall Beck~

The Mullet Master

This is Dutch showing off his mini-mullet.
Isn't he the cutest?

The Twilight Zone

Last night I stepped through a portal where up was down and down was up. Where good babies were bad and sleep did not exist.

Dutch has been sleeping through the night for months now. Last night he woke up and would not go back to sleep. If I left the room he would scream like he was being tortured. I held him in my arms for two hours before he finally fell asleep. Then he woke up with a start, like he'd had a bad dream, and started to cry again. Finally he went back to sleep and stayed asleep until morning.

It was the strangest thing.

A List for Tuesday

Five Things I Might Not Have Mentioned

1. Dutch pulled himself to standing on Sunday.
2. I am going to Texas in less than a week!
3. I am in the Primary Presidency at my church.
4. In the last month I've lost 7 pounds.
5. I still have about 30 pounds to lose before I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight. Which didn't seem so depressing or impossible until I just typed it.

A Few More Pictures

These are a few more pictures from our week of adventures.

Air In Space Museum

Uncle Joshy and Dutch

Space Shuttle Enterprise

Pam and Dutch

Favorite Picture Friday

This is Dutch with my cousin Sara (who is going to have one of her own soon).
I can't believe how much hair he has gotten since Christmas!

And happy birthday to Miss Evie Nordell!
I don't have any pictures of the two of us together,
but I love you all the same and hope you have a happy birthday!

How the Poo Are You?

Chris did his first prostate exam yesterday.

And his second.

I'm so glad I have no interest in medicine because, gross!

The Wednesday Word

I've realized that as a writer I need to expand my vocabulary. So every Wednesday I'm going to share a word with you and use it in my blog that day. That way we can all learn together!

besot • \bih-SAHT\ • verb

*1 : infatuate

2 : to make dull or stupid; especially : to muddle with drunkenness

Example Sentence:

Long besotted with the pretty file clerk who worked in his office, Keith finally worked up the nerve to ask her out to lunch.

Did you know?

"Besot" developed from a combination of the prefix "be-" ("to cause to be") and "sot," a now-archaic verb meaning "to cause to appear foolish or stupid." "Sot" in turn comes from the Middle English noun "sott," meaning "fool." The first known use of "besot" is found in a poem by George Turberville, published in 1567. In the poem the narrator describes how he gazed at a beautiful stranger "till use of sense was fled." He then proceeds to compare himself to Aegisthus of Greek legend, the lover of Clytemnestra while Agamemnon was away at war, writing: "What forced the Fool to love / his beastly idle life / Was cause that he besotted was / of Agamemnon’s Wife."


I never knew that I could be so besotted with one little person that can't even talk yet. Yesterday Dutch and I sat outside on a blanket while Chris and Bo played fetch. It was so interesting to watch the way he took everything in. He ran his fingers through the grass and seemed to enjoy the way it tickled his palm. When the wind would blow he would look up and let it run past his chubby cheeks. Because this was his first time outside in the grass he wasn't daring enough to venture off the blanket. Perhaps next time.

This is a beautiful image and I don't want to spoil it by telling you that Dutch tried to eat the grass . . . repeatedly.

A List for Tuesday

Five Reasons Why Librarians Might Hate Me

1. I have no control over the volume of my son's voice.
2. I ask possibly terrifying questions like, "Do you have any books on witch dismemberment in Medieval Germany?"
3. When they don't have the book I want I let them know that their selection might be lacking in that particular subject (even if it's under-water basket-weaving).
4. Apparently they don't want you to bully the little kids in the children's section. "Just read this! It's good! You'll like it! Take it!"
5. They disapprove of my vocal reviews of the books the people in front of me are checking out. "Oh, you like his books? I really hated how he killed the protagonist at the end."

A Wonderful Week

Although Chris posted pictures and a video of our week I still want to tell you all about it. We went to the zoo and the aquarium on Tuesday and had a really great time. My favorite part by far was watching the baby elephant breastfeed (not as gross as it sounds). It was so magical to see. I also thought it was interesting that she had black hair on her head, just like the baby elephant in Disney's cartoon The Jungle Book! Dutch spent most of his time people-watching and flirting with anyone who looked at him. Although he did watch the fish when we were in the aquarium and he seemed to like the penguins.

Wednesday we went on a Ducky Tour. I have to admit I was a bit wary of this. I wasn't sure that it would be fun, but Chris REALLY wanted to do it. So we did it. And it was fun! Dutch was very snuggly, which he never is, and so it was even more fun for me! Chris got to drive the boat in the water and thought that was just about the coolest thing ever. We would definitely do it again were it not so expensive (they even charged for Dutch!).

Thursday we went to the Children's Museum and Phipps Conservatory. The Children's Museum, other than the Mr. Roger's Neighborhood replica, was underwhelming. Dutch was still just a little too young to enjoy 90% of it. Maybe we'll go back when he can walk. Phipps Conservatory was amazing! It was huge and beautiful and they had a butterfly garden that I went through, TWICE. I loved all of the flowers and the gorgeous glass-blown statues they had in the gardens. I could have easily spent an entire day there without even noticing. It was incredibly hot and humid, however, and that made Chris uncomfortable. I would love to go back again!

And that was our week of adventure. Are you jealous?

Won't You Be My Neighbor

Pam enjoying the butterfly gardens at Phipps Conservatory

Dutch peering out King Friday's castle

Chris and Dutch outside Mr. Roger's House

Adventures

Here are some pictures from our recent trips to the zoo and Just Ducky Tours.

Make sure you don't miss Chris driving the Ducky Boat video below!

Just Ducky

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A List for Tuesday

5 Things We're Doing With Chris's Week Off
(in order of how we're doing them)

1. Pittsburgh Zoo
2. PPG Aquarium
3. Phipps Conservatory
4. Children's Museum (that has a Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood replica that you can play in)
5. A Ducky Tour of Pittsburgh

Whistling in the Dark

The Whistler's Inn has a new tenant! Dutch has learned to whistle. Chris told me this a few days ago. I smiled and nodded politely. Then on Saturday we were in the library and I was holding Dutch and he started whistling in my ear! It was shocking and hilarious. I'm not sure where he got it because neither Chris nor I are big whistlers. My dad made the very astute observation that Dutch will probably be able to whistle for Bo before he can call for him. Just when I think my baby can't get any weirder...

Happy Day!

Happy birthday to Zakky!

Happy Mother's Day to my sisters!

Happy Mother's Day to my Mama!

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom-in-law!

The Park Diner

Most of you who have visited me have had the opportunity of eating at The Park. It is this fabulous little 50's-inspired diner with really delicious shakes and burgers. They also have the most delicious cinnamon roll French toast that is absolutely to die for!

I'm sorry I realize that I said it is a fabulous diner, I should have said was. You see Chris and I drove by yesterday and their sign outside said that they had closed THE DAY BEFORE! That's right, not only did our favorite place to eat close down, but we didn't even get to have a last meal there. I'm understandably upset and I wanted to share this injustice with you, my faithful blog readers.

You know what they say, misery loves company. And I want you to be sad that The Park closed down.

Now be sad.

That's not very good, but I'll accept it.


P.S. Happy birthday to Melodie Winn Ware!

Favorite Picture Friday

This was Easter morning.
I got Dutch dressed and put him in his swing while I went to get his shoes.
I came back and he was asleep!

Happy One Year Anniversary, Blog!

That's right. One year ago today I started this blog and almost 300 posts later here we are. It all started as a way to keep my family and friends updated on my blossoming belly and has turned into a place where I chronicle the latest antics of Dutch the Baby and Bo the Wonder Dog.

Anyway, congratulations to me for keeping you posted for an entire year!

Book Review

Book: Breaking the Magic Spell: Radical Theories of Folk & Fairy Tales by Jack Zipes

First of all, this title is totally misleading. It should really be called Jack Zipes Finds Issues Where There Are None Just So He Can Publish Another Book. I really try to avoid giving out and out negative reviews of books, but I honestly gained NOTHING from reading this. It was full of even more self-aggrandizing than usual without any interesting information to make it bearable. I thought the last Zipes book I read was bad, but now I know I will never read another book by him.

Okay, so perhaps I'm being a little harsh. I really loved all of the Introductory Fairy Tales at the beginning of the book. I liked that he disagrees so vehemently with Bruno Bettelheim (who I loathe even more than Jack Zipes). And I thought his take on the Harry Potter series very interesting (pointing out that they aren't true fairy tales because they begin and end the exact same way-with Harry at his aunt and uncle's house).

There were so many things that he brought up in this book that he either didn't follow up on, or have been written about by others in a more interesting way. His book seems to suffer from mulitple personalities, biting off more topic than can be chewed, and inevitably disappointing.

I realize that when I read a book for school I should be talking more about what I learned from the book than "reviewing" it, but I can honestly say that other than the three points above I gained nothing from this book. It was a long, boring read that I never would have finished if it weren't for school.

Mommy Guilt

I have found that the one thing that all mom's have in common, no matter where they live, how many kids they have, or what their background is GUILT. All moms feel guilty about something, usually multiple things. My mommy guilt can all be summed up in one big confession:

I hate being a stay at home mom.

It was never something that I looked forward to, or really wanted, which I realize makes me very weird to some of you. The problem is that as much as I hate being a stay at home mom I am terrified of sending my kid to day-care, especially before he can talk. I think that my biggest complaint about being a stay at home mom, other than the crippling loneliness, is my complete and total lack of a schedule. Maybe if I had some structure I would like being home alone with Dutch more.

So, for all you moms, in honor of Mother's Day, what do you feel guilty about?

A List for Tuesday

5 Things I'm Looking Forward to When We Move From Pittsburgh

1. Closet space
2. Having some money again!
3. Being close to lots of family
4. Knowing my way around without a GPS system
5. Finally being done with school (forever, I hope)


And Happy Cinco de Mayo!

A Funny Incident

It seems that Dutch has learned that he's not supposed to play with Bo's ball. Yesterday we were all sitting in the living room and Dutch was about to put Bo's ball in his mouth. Chris said, "No Dutchie," and got up to take the ball away. The minute Chris stood up Dutch shoved the ball at Bo, as if to say "Quick, take it!" It was hilarious!

And happy 10 Month Birthday to Dutch!

Dog in a Box

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Curiosity Killed the Mama

Dutch is very curious. When you're holding him he is constantly fidgeting and turning around to look at everything around him. If he's on the floor he's always on the move, trying to get into whatever he possibly can before Mama stops him. Cords and anything belonging to Bo are his favorites. If I go to the door or in the other room he follows me. And, for some bizarre reason, he has started using one of my sweaters as his security blanket.

I'm not sure I'll survive his curiosity.

Favorite Picutre Friday

Happy birthday Annemarie!