It's A Boy!

Chris delivered his first baby yesterday. A 6 pound 10 ounce boy.

Dancing

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Dutch's New Trick

If it happens once I assume it's a one-time thing. When it happens again I know it's here to stay.

The other morning I went in to get Dutch and found him standing up in his crib, smiling, and... diaper-less. He had somehow pulled his diaper off and it lay in the bed next to him. I have no idea how long his diaper had been off, all I know is I had no mess to clean up THANK GOODNESS. I made sure that he always wore a onesie or pants to bed instead of just a t-shirt and thought that I had outsmarted my one-year-old.

Apparently I'm not as smart as I think I am.

I always feed Dutch in nothing but a diaper because he's a MESSY eater and it makes less laundry for me to do. Yes, I'm just that lazy. Anyway, after lunch today I put him out to play with just his diaper on while I finished getting ready to go run errands. I came into the doorway and saw the most bizarre dance I've ever seen in my life. This is how it goes (imagine your favorite high-beat music behind it):

• Dutch tugs twice on his diaper fastener
• Turns in a circle to see if it worked (imagine a dog chasing his tail)
• Tugs twice on the same diaper fastener
• Turns in a circle a little faster
• Tugs harder a few more times
• Turns as fast as he can
• Repeats until diaper magically comes off
• Notices Mama watching and smiles really big
  

So now I have to keep pants on him all the time, until the day he learns how to take those off. I'm trying to stay one step ahead, but he's too smart for me!

This and That

I haven't been very good about blogging the last week or so because I've been tied up with school stuff. Here is a little bit of what's been going on.

Dutch got his one-year pictures taken yesterday. He hadn't napped all day long, so I was expecting it to be a disaster, but he did really well. We put him in a Seton Hill onesie and khaki shorts; he looked so cute.

Dutch now has 6 teeth (the better to bite you with, my dear). 4 on top and 2 on bottom. And yes, he's started biting me with them. He never does it to Chris, just me. I think it's paybacks for me being a biter.

For his birthday Dutch got a swing to hang outside. Every time I put him in it he enjoys it for a little longer. It used to last only a few seconds, but now he'll play for a lot longer. I think he mostly loves just being outside; all those noises fascinate him.

Chris starts his OBGYN rotation today - in surgery! The last girl that was there got to deliver 4 babies, so Chris is excited to be able to do hands-on things. He's also glad not to be in the Pysch Ward anymore, it was making him feel crazy.

I'm at my lowest weight since before Dutch was born and I'm starting to feel more like myself. It's never been about losing weight, per se, just feeling comfortable in my skin. That's finally starting to happen.

It's raining today and we're stuck in the house, but I'm sure Dutch will find something to do to entertain himself.

Hot Dog

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Dutch's First Tool Set

My friend Joanne recently went through all of her old baby stuff (her daughter is 8) and decided to get rid of all of it. Dutch reaped the benefits. He got about a dozen palm-sized board books (his palm, not mine), a Little People Noah's Ark, a toy shelf, and a tool set.

This tool set is simple and perfect for someone Dutch's size and age. I got it out for him last night and... Chris played with it for about an hour. He tried to share with Dutch, but my little guy had no interest in what Daddy was doing.

To recap, Dutch has a new tool set and it's Chris's favorite toy.

Eating Ravioli

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

Happy Birthday to my Anneke!

Unfortunately, these are the only pictures I have of Anneke on my laptop. The last one is my favorite. I love the way she's playing with Carianne's hair.

The reason that I call her MY Anneke is because if she didn't look exactly like my sister Heidi you would swear she was my kid. Anneke is exactly like me when I was little. Every time I hear a story about her I think to myself, "I would have done that" or "I remember doing that." Today she is a big 5-year-old and I'm sad she's growing up so fast.

Happy birthday my Anneke!

Mama's the Word

Yesterday Dutch said Mama! Okay it was more like muh-muh-muh-muh-muh, but it's the first time he's made the Mmm sound and I got very excited. Chris was there too and he looked over at me and smiled, "He just said Mama!" It was cute.

A List for Tuesday

In an attempt to make my blog more user-friendly I went back and added labels to some of the posts, so if you've been looking for something it might be easier to find now. Also, suggestions are always welcome.

A List of Books I've Read this month (so far):

• The Witch's Boy by Michael Gruber
• Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
• The Great Good Thing by Roderick Townley
• The Rumpelstiltskin Problem by Vivian Vande Velde
• The Squire's Tale by Gerald Morris
• Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher
• The Prince of the Pond by Donna Jo Napoli
• The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly (still reading)
• Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass (still reading)
• The Plot Thickens by Noah Lukeman (still reading)
• Fairy Tales and After by Roger Sale (still reading)
  

Heart Your Phelbotomist

Today Dutch had to get blood drawn to test for lead levels and anemia. I now have the impossible task of keeping his finger bandaged.

It's gonna be one of those days.

Junior Executive

Here are some interesting things that happened today:

• Dutch can now stand up in his crib. You want to know how I know? Because I found him this morning and,
• Dutch ate some of his diaper ointment. We had to call Poison Control, but he (fortunately) did not ingest enough to make him sick.
• At church today he looked extra spiffy with his new haircut and the church outfit Grandpa Greg and Grandma Honey gave to him (see picture).
• I had a friend at church come up and compliment me for how well-behaved Dutch was at church today. Apparently he was good through all 3 hours. If only he had been that way last week.
  
• Chris made homemade hamburgers tonight. It was his first try and they turned out really well. Even Bo got to have one! Dutch was content with eating tomatoes and avocados, since he'd had dinner a little earlier.
• My friend Robin had her grandbaby Olivia at church with her today and I got to hold her. She was so tiny and cute and dressed in puffy pink and smelled like baby. I really want to have a girl.
• Last, but not least, I want everyone to know that I'm going to be pursuing my MFA, therefore I will now graduate in January 2011. I thought you'd want to know.

I hope everyone had a good weekend; if you didn't then watch one of the videos of Dutch and that will cheer you right up!

Finished Product

First Haircut

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Birthday PopPop!

Happy birthday to my dad, one of the most amazing men I know! We love you and miss you and hope you have a happy day today, especially your grandson who will be getting his first haircut in honor of you birthday. Here are things you might not know about my dad:

• He hates the name PopPop, but I like it, so that's what Dutch is going to call him.
• There are phases that he goes through. I recall the Native American phase, the Dinotopia phase and, more recently, the Tesla phase. I am similar to him in this way.
• Once when I was younger he got so caught up in an art project that he forgot to pick me up from basketball practice. I had started walking home when he remembered.
• He used to make amazing paper mache masks that everyone thought were beautiful.
• When I was younger we would go on fabulous adventures, hiking or camping. Enchanted Rock was one of my favorites.
• I've only ever been grounded twice and both times were by my dad.
• When I went away for a speech meet my dad painted the ceiling above my bed like the night sky, complete with glow in the dark stars.
• If we were ever annoyed with Dad we would put in the movie Mr. Hobbes Takes a Vacation. For some reason he hates that movie with a passion.
• He and I used to do theatre productions at the Pointe Theatre. Those were some of the best memories I have of childhood.
• Every year on my birthday he would take me on a Daddy/Daughter date. We would do whatever I wanted to do. The most memorable one was when we went and saw The Count of Monte-Cristo and spent the rest of the evening discussing the book and the different versions of the film.
• He re-roofed our entire house in Ephraim with very little help (except that day when the Young Men came by, but that didn't really count since they didn't really help).
• I was very spoiled growing up in the fact that my dad always took care of the big chores. I never had to mow the lawn or take out the garbage or build anything on my own.
• We used to joke that we would stop buying my dad presents and just buy him the instruction manuals. He spent most of Christmas and his birthday reading them anyway!
  

So happy birthday Daddy! I love you and miss you and wish I could be with you. Have a great day and I hope Mama lets you have lima beans for dinner tonight!

Bottle-Free Baby

I threw away all of Dutch's bottles. All the bottles, all the nipples, all the lids. They are gone. Every last one.

Here is why: I was talking to Chris about wanting to get Dutch away from bottles and that I wanted him to start using sippy cups exclusively. Outwardly Chris agreed, but inwardly he was plotting against me. Every time Dutch didn't want a sippy cup Chris would jump to the rescue, brandishing a bottle like a trophy. I began to suspect foul play. So I watched and waited. Chris ALWAYS gave Dutch a bottle, he wasn't giving him sippy cups at all!

Now that all of the bottles have been thrown away, Chris is going through a kind of withdrawal. Dutch, however, doesn't seem to care.

Gone Swimming

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

Opening Birthday Presents

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A List for Tuesday

Five Reasons I Can't Come Up With a List Today

1. I think I'm coming down with a cold... again. Why is it that my son stays perfectly healthy and I keep getting colds?
2. I have piles and piles of laundry to do.
3. Dutch poured out all of his toys and books last night and I fell asleep before I could pick them up, so they're distracting me right now.
4. I am still undecided about whether I should get my MFA or stick with my MA.
5. My brain is not functioning properly today.

Worst Sunday Ever

Yesterday was, hands down, the worst Sunday of my life. I had to teach Sharing Time in Primary, Chris had to work so I had Dutch with me, and two of the other women in the Primary Presidency weren't there (and the secretary doesn't want to have anything to do with the kids, just wants to do paperwork). The kids didn't listen. Dutch didn't nap. And by the time I got home I was very near tears.

Which has led me to the decision that I hate most children.

Bo the Wonder Vacuum

Today Dutch learned something that I have been fearing for a long time. It started innocently enough, he accidentally dropped something from his high-chair and Bo gobbled it right up IN PLAIN VIEW OF DUTCH. Up to this point Bo had been rather surreptitious when he ate Dutch's dropped food. Seeing Bo so excited, Dutch dropped another piece of food that he didn't want, then another, then another, until all the food on his tray was gone. This was the food that I told him he needed to finish in order to get out, he took matters into his own hands and voila, he was ready to get out. I am sure this is only the beginning of many more feedings to Bo of things he doesn't like. Bo, of course, thinks he's in heaven and Dutch has become his favorite person (although Bo was always Dutch's favorite).

And don't miss the Recipe contest a few posts down. I'm serious! I'll give you a prize.

Pics of Dutch

The First Annual Dutchie Recipe Contest

My chubby-cheeked prince is getting bigger. He needs food to sustain his bigness. I have never been a good cook, but I try. Here's the deal:

You give me a baby-approved recipe (this means no peanut butter) and I will make it for my Dutchie. The person whose recipe he likes best will receive an amazing prize! Like a full copy of my "Metta and the Moon-Witch" second draft. Signed. By me.

The contest will end when I've tried all the recipes. Ready, set, GO!

Dutch's One Year Well-Baby Visit

Dutch and I went to see his pediatrician, Dr. Shaver, today. Everything is fine and good. Here are his stats:

Head circumference: 47 cm (75th percentile)
Weight: 27 lbs 12 oz (95th percentile)
Length/Height: 31 1/2 inches (95th percentile)

He had to get some shots today :( but he forgave Nurse Wendy almost immediately. We had his hemoglobin checked and it's a little low which could be a sign of anemia. We're going to go and get a more extensive screening to double-check the results. Dr. Shaver always loves to see Dutch because he's so happy and has absolutely no stranger danger. He has a tiny bit of stranger shyness, but not much. I'm a little concerned that Dutch isn't talking much yet and shows little interest in walking. Dr. Shaver said not to worry yet. So I won't. He'll just do it in his own time and I've got to remember that.

More birthday pictures and videos to come!

Book Review

Book: The Witch's Boy by Michael Gruber

This was one of the books I picked to read for school. I'm really glad I read it. It's similar to Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier in the fact that it takes a lot of different fairy tales and weaves them into the story seamlessly. There are elements of so many tales it's difficult to name them all. There's Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, Rumpelstiltskin, and others. Since most of them are told from the witch's point of view you'll find the stories are turned on their ears and the witches, of course, are not at fault at all, merely hapless bystanders who are trying to do their best.

The story is about a "witch" who finds a disfigured boy left for her. It's about the struggles of a witch raising a human and all that goes with it. On second thought, this is a very hard story to describe because the plot spans a long time and tells the life-story of the boy she found, who she names Lump. Lump is not an altogether likeable character. He's selfish and mean and NEVER does what he's told. The witch still loves him though and tries to do her best by him. Did I mention there's a talking cat? Well there is and he's pretty funny. Anyway, you should read it. I would say that Marcus and Carlye would be about the age for it, but only because they're a little advanced.

What I learned about writing: Even stories without the traditionally "hook" on the first page can be addicting, can't-put-it-down type of books. An unlikeable protagonist can be readable, although not sympathetic. The twists and turns this novel took to get to the finale were amazingly well thought out and it's inspired me to try to be more of a plotter than a pantser. Lastly, I was inspired, yet again, to continue on with my fairy tale writing. Affirmation that's nice to get from myself every once in a while.

A List for Tuesday

The Five Books I'm Assigned to Read for the Semester

1. The Witch's Boy by Michael Gruber
2. Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
3. Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maas
4. Revisions and Self-Editing by James Scott Bell
5. Fairy Tales and After: From Snow White to E.B. White by Roger Sale

Dutch's First Birthday

If you couldn't tell from the video below, Dutch had the best birthday a one-year-old could ask for. He got spoiled by everyone! We went to friends' house for dinner and he got even more spoiled. Most of the time he sat on Grandma Kellie's or Grandpa Greg's lap and ate off their plates.

Then came the cake. See the video below for further information on that.

He LOVED fireworks. They made loud noises AND had lots of bright colors. He got upset with me when I covered his ears through some of the louder ones.

All in all he ate too much junk, stayed up way too late, and got a bunch of gifts. Who could ask for a better birthday? (More video and pictures to come.)

Cake Eater

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Thursday, Piglet

Today is a really nice day. It's raining outside. A nice hefty rain that makes me glad that I'm not going out and happy I get to stay inside with a book. Dutch is in his high chair eating bananas and singing me songs with wonderful lyrics like "Oh-oof" and "Oo-oo-eh." Bo is laying on his bed NOT barking at every little noise (for a change). My house is clean and my belly's full. Oh, and my in-laws are coming today for a visit.

I think it's going to be a good day.

The Wednesday Word

be⋅reft

 /bɪˈrɛft/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [bi-reft]

–verb

1.	a pt. and pp. of bereave.

–adjective

2.	deprived: They are bereft of their senses. He is bereft of all happiness.

---

I Miss My Mom: A Short Poem
I am bereft
Because my Mama left