Eleanor

I am back.

Nobody panic.

I wasn't here last week, but now I am.

Come down off the ledge.

Because I know that is how you must feel during my absence.

I am still determined to post at least once a week, and I actually have another mediocre exciting post planned for the weekend, so technically I will be right on shhhedule.

But my silence was for, I promise, the most incredible cause.

I went to Eugene.

'Cause my sister had a baby!

A tiny, beautiful six-pound peanut. With the skinniest little curled-up frog legs you ever did see.

Baby Eleanor Jane was born just over a week ago with the fluffiest black hair and the daintiest little lips/snot-shoot.

She is perfect.

And my sister is pretty darn incredible too. 

She is now the proud momma to four, FOUR, girls!
Thinking about even thinking about having that many kids causes me shortness of breath and severe sweating.
Hysterical. That is how I would probably feel.
Heck, I feel that way now with only three.
Like I am being ripped apart by a pack of wildebeests.
But I digress.
This isn't about me and my delirium.
It is about how amazing Britney is, and her sweet baby with sweet baby skin.
Couldn't you just breath baby skin in all day?
Just me?

Look at her. Is she not the most precious thing? And picking her up is like lifting a feather.

Anyway, naturally she looks nothing like any of the other three.

Because they all look nothing like each other.

You would think after four you would get a repeat but they are all different and beautifully unique.

So I did my best to keep up with the house work and not get in the way too much.

And sneak in a few baby skin whiffs.

And while I was sniffing the baby like a fruitloop helping, my amazing in-laws took care of the two oldest kids all week.

They had a blast.

And McDonalds. Apparently every day.

But that is what you do at your grandparents.

And now everyone is home again.

And forced to eat my sob-inducing meatloaf with broccoli.

 

Britney, you are my best friend and I love you so much I pretty much can't stand it.

I am so proud of you.

You are the best mom and such a good example to me.

Congratulations Basting family!

 

-B

xo

It's about time ... pun absolutely intended

So I am back with a little project post.

As I mentioned last week, I am a big lonely, loner all alone on a mountain top. 

With wild animals my kids. 

So in order to keep my sanity (I use this term loosely), I have been crafting.

Well, really I don't consider myself a crafter.

I think that the word "crafter" brings to mind someone with a large collection of washi tape, colored paper, ribbon, and stamps.

I do not have any of these things.

What I do have are every kind of paint brush, sand paper, stain, and polyurethane, along with a rainbow of paints (both spray and liquid) and a "chick bag" of tools my dad lovingly assembled for me.

Oh and a hand sander that I asked for for Christmas.

So I don't know what that makes me.

A headache for my husband?

Har. Har.

Anyway, he tolerantly expresses feigned interest as I plunge ahead with all my "projects."

And then he even pretends to like them when I am done.

Bonus.

So here is one of three I have been busying myself with this week.

It is a makeover project.

On my big a$$ clock.

And in order for you to truly appreciate the finished product, I must first show you what it looked like before I started.

I love a good before and after.

It is very satisfying.

Before:

Naturally I selected the most flattering picture.

What I love about it is it's size.

And starburst-like shape.

It wasn't really offensive before but I was kinda over the shabby-chic vibe.

And I have decided I don't like red.

So I decided to give it a more neutral look.

Which, in turn, will harmonize more with the direction I am taking my home décor (said as I take myself far too seriously.)

Could I sound any more like a looney?

Basically I wanted something with a little glam and a lot more versatility.

 

After:

 

p.s. Isn't the plush baby blue carpet fab? Not.

Bam.
I love the gold, the wood and the black.
I am a genius.
It only took me a year to finally stop fiddle-farting around and do it already.
I think it will be a lot more timeless.
Get it?
Since it's a clock?
Clearly I need to go to bed.
Anyway, I will be back with pics of my other two little treasures once I am done.
Tell me, what do you think?

-b
xo

At the edge of the world



We are living right outside of Tumwater, just a skosh south, in Olympia for the time being.
Scott's grandfather generously offered his home to us while he sunbirds in Arizona.
While staying here, we are looking for a more permanent place, and by permanent I mean a temporary apartment ... for the next six months.
And then in the fall, we move to Eugene.
Permanently.
As in, if I am ever asked to move again I may throw myself into traffic.
I plan on dying there.


Anyway, our address says Olympia, but as you can see from the pictures below we are really in the wilderness.
Now to some of you, this may seem idyllic.
Up here among the trees, all alone, with only the birds and the occasional dear to keep you company.




The view from our back deck

Well I think it blows.
I feel like a friggin' mountain woman up here.
Who is also a hermit.
On top of my foggy, lonely, deer snack of a hilltop.
I am expecting Bear Grylls to pop in for lunch after winding up a documentary on how to survive if you are ever caught in a forgotten forest.
We are literally miles from civilization.
And all I have are my kids and the deer.
Oh and coyotes. From what Scott tells me.
I am at home with my three precious, darling children who certainly don't fight 23 hours of the day.
With no friends.
And nowhere to go.
I may throw myself to the coyotes ... seeing as there is no readily available traffic.



Same view, extra fog.

I consider myself to be a social person, so being banished to BFN (Mormon lingo for "butt-freaking nowhere") is a little bit of a challenge.
I just remind myself, that I do indeed have friends, or at least used to.
And that it is a temporary situation.
And that this stay will give me an opportunity to work on some projects I have stored up on Pinterest.




The view from our front deck.

So stay tuned for some stellar DIY goodies.
Because it is all I have.
And my fun children.
Who absolutely do not whine.
Every minute.

xo

Kinda like a blog chain letter

Two posts in two weeks?! I am on fire.

For reals.

Except ... this is kind of a cheater post because I was inspired by my friend Michelle who sent me a shout out from her corner of the interweb.

She nominated me for a Leibster Award, which is basically a fun way for one blogger to tell another that you enjoy their blog and to keep it comin' ...  

 

There are rules. Important ones.
1. Post 11 random things about myself. (Easy peasy, because I am nothing if not random.)

2. Answer the 11 questions my nominator asked me. (I love to tell everyone everything they wouldn't want to know about me.)
3. Create 11 questions for my own nominations. (Insert evil cackle here)
4. Nominate 11 different bloggers with fewer than 200 followers. (I definitely fall into this category ... high-five to my four loyal readers!)
5. Tell 'em and force them to answer. (I may have taken a few liberties while explaining the rules)

Okay here goes. Eleven random tid-bits. Where to begin ...

1. I love to fill out surveys, questionares, and paper work in general, so really this little exercise is right up my ally.

2. The first thing I notice about a person is their eyebrows. Weird, no? And now when we run into each other, you know which feature I will be studying.

3. I bite my nails. This is gross. I can't help it, and no matter how many self-directed pep talks I give to myself/listen to from myself about what a disgusting and un-ladylike habit it is, I still gnaw them off while watching any suspenseful/scary/stressful movie. Or pretty much as soon as there is any "white" showing.

 4. I literally eat popcorn every day. As in, I will rearrange my afternoon schedule so that nothing conflicts with my daily snack addiction. It takes a good 30 minutes to enjoy. Because I use an air popper and season it myself. It's a process.

5. I am an over-sharer. Meaning that if you ask me a simple question that only requires a one word answer you will most likely get my entire life story.

6. I hide behind my glasses. I know everyone may think they are a fashion choice, and they are, but I also feel like my eyes are thisclose together.
7. I have to exercise in the morning. Every morning. If it doesn't happen before lunchtime, it won't happen.
8. I exercise everyday so I can have ice cream every night. In my defense, I only have about half a cup, but boy do I look forward to that all. day. long. Without ice cream, I have nothing.
9. I am also obsessed with keeping my children's hair and nails short and neat. This is why my boys look like jar heads.
10. Judging from this list, I am apparently a little OCD. My husband is probably rolling his eyes, and thinking "Yes. I tell you this daily." Whatever, at least I get sh** done.
11. My favorite movie of all time, (excluding the entire Twilight phenomenon) is a toss up between The Sound of Music and Under the Tuscan Sun. Because they are obviously very much alike.

Moving on ... to 11 random questions I know you are dying for the answers to.
P. S. If you would rather not read on, or need a nap to recharge I understand.
And I'm sorry.

1. How did you meet your husband? He was the friend of a strange boy I was dating. Scandalous.

2. What is the first thing you do in the morning? I make all the beds in my house. I bet my friends are reassessing their feelings about me.

3. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Run. Like the wind.

4. What do you do to relax? I read or look at design blogs. Or obsessively stalk craigslist.

5. How long does it take you to get ready each day? With a shower? About 35 minutes.

6. What is your favorite thing about your house? Well, I don't have one. Not yet. I actually put myself to bed at night by imagining what I would like for my future home to look like. That or I imagine how I would redecorate the homes of my friends and family. Issues. Clearly.

7. What kind of toothpaste do you use? Whitening toothpaste all the way.

8. If you could live anywhere, where would you live? I would live in Edinburgh, Scotland, no contest. But as a second choice I will stick with the Pacific Northwest.

9. Do you recycle? Yes. I am what my husband calls a tree-hugger. WTH?

10. What are your favorite pair of shoes? Probably my brown studded flats I found at Thrift City for 3 bucks.

11. Have you ever broken a bone? No, but I did run into the corner of the couch this morning and now my pinky toe is swollen and very tender. It is also starting to turn purple. Does that count?

Now here are the 11 formulated questions I have, well, formulated:

1. If you could have any profession (other than what you do right now) what would it be?
2. If you had to live on one food alone for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
3. What is your favorite book?
4. And what about your favorite movie?
5. Pets or no pets? Dog or cat?
6. Where is the one place you would love to visit/vacation?
7. What do you do at night to wind down?
8. Favorite kind of accessory?
9. What do you do for "me" time?
10. If you won a million dollars, what is the first thing you would buy?
11. Do you think it is okay to pair brown with black? What about navy and black?

So Tracy, Sierra, Britney, Rachael, Heather, Amy and Kristina, I nominate you.
I love all your blogs and read them every time they are updated. So, dish. (If you are bored. If you have a life, unlike me, feel free to ignore this little request.) And Michelle, if I could tag you back, I would because I love you. Thanks for thinking of me!

Laters gators. (I am trying this as a sign off. Thoughts?)
xo

I am all caught up

So Scott got me a new computer for Christmas ... holla!
The old one was just that ... so very damn old; like at least eight, and I am pretty sure computer years appreciate much faster than say dog years, so ... there you go.
Oh that and said old craputer dropped on the ground as we were moving and broke into smithereens.
Luckily I had backed up all the important stuff like pics and P90X. Whew.
So now I can do all the things I could never do before:
watch videos, check my email, blog, have it start the first time I turn it on.
You know, all the fancy stuff.
And because I have a camera and a computer I can write on my baby bloggy.
And I am going to start with a 2012 recap aka a random photo dump. 
That way I can start fresh in 2013 and blog every week regularly.
So sit back and get ready because this is going to be one long mother.

In July, we celebrated the Fourth with friends in Tacoma.
I can barely remember it.
But I have pictures to prove it happened.
That you can enjoy if you crane your neck just a bit.
I mentioned that we got a new computer, not that I had developed a knack for technology.
Clearly.
In fact, many of these pictures are sideways, and no I cannot figure out how to correct that.
You're welcome.

Here is the babe festively waving the stars and stripes.
And no we did not burn that flag after he dragged it around on the ground all afternoon.
I am not sure I really understand that rule.

And an awesome picture of my beautiful friends.
In which someone kindly pointed out it looks as if I have the wrong anatomy coming out of the bottom of my shirt.
What an uplifting sentiment on the day of our nation's founding.
Anyway, moving on.
We also enjoyed the luxury of a yard while we over-stayed at my in-laws this summer.
Scott got the kids a pool and they got themselves some friends and they spent all day every day outside.
The Pitts' home is at the end of a cul-de-sac in a gated community, so it was heaven being able to send them out without having to worry ... or accompany them.
Lazy.

We also had a few visits from their cousin Raiza.
Whom Micah loves.

Then at the end of July we celebrated Micah's first birthday (which I actually did blog about) with a little cake.
He was the first of my babies to really make a proper mess with his piece, which as we all know is the entire point of handing a small child a birthday treat.

And while we were waiting a hilarious amount of time for Scott's medical license to arrived, Ezra and Scott busied themselves by played video games in order to, and I quote, "save money on other forms of entertainment."

And here is the picture of Scott and his lover fish.
It was a proud day.

In September, we sent Ryan off to kindergarten and Scott off to Tumwater to work.
She was so brave.
I love how much she loves school.
It reminds me of my nerdy self at her age.
And when I say nerd I really mean girl-who-asks-for-extra-homework-because-she-finished-hers-and-wants-more.
I am sure she will be much cooler.

A stellar shot of Scott and I carving pumpkins.
Alone.
Because the kids though that they were too "slimy."
You try to create memories ...

And I took the kids real trick-or-treating for the first time.
It was so fun.
And kind of awkward.
I originally planned to go with my friend Sheila but ended up going door-to-door with her husband's friend Greg and his daughter, all while carrying her two year old son?
Anyway, the kids both wanted to be pirates, so I pieced together a few outfits using the Disney show Jake and the Neverland Pirates as inspiration.
I think Ezra just wanted a sword.

Our Thanksgiving was delish and very low-key.
And then we geared up for Christmas.
I attempted to take one of the children for our first ever Christmas card.

Nailed it.

Then we sped down to Eugene for a quick visit/future-business meeting.
I went with Britney and Carrie to see Breaking Dawn: Part 2.
We have seen all of them together.
It was all I imagined it would be and more.
I even wore my Team Edward shirt (again) because I am 30 and nursing a teenage fantasy about RPatz.
Now that the saga is complete, I have yet to figure out what to do with the rest of my life.
I will keep you posted.

And a cute picture of Ezzy because he is cute and I didn't really feel like there were enough of him.

Okay and one more of Micah and his teethy grin.

And I never was able to post about Ryan's birthday, which was also low-key since we don't really know that many people in Kent.
So Ryan and I got Slurpee's and went to see Brave in the theater.
Then we had a little family party that evening.
Photo bomber.

Christmas was hectic but so much fun because the kids are really into Santa this year.
Several of Scott's siblings were in town, so it was a full house.
I put Scotty in charge of capturing Christmas morning and ended up with a blurry picture of my morning faux hawk.
Sweet.

So here we are at the beginning of a new year.
We have officially moved to Olympia for the time being.
Which means more of Mr. Potato's amenities are missing, as well as half a dozen binkies.
Scott is working hard, fulfilling a year-long contract with Walmart, after which we will be moving permanently to Eugene in the fall if all goes well to join a private practice.
This year is going to be fun, and I plan to jot more of it down.
So stay tuned ...

p.s. And if anyone has any suggestions for a gnarly sign-off I am in need. Thanks. 

co-sleeping

Are you familiar with the term "co-sleeping?"
This phrase was not a part of my vocabulary until recently.
To quote the always reliable Wikipedia, "co-sleeping is a practice in which babies and young children sleep close to one or both parents, as opposed to in a separate room."
Doesn't that sound like fun?
Not only do I get to spend every nano-second, all day, every day with my babies, I get to sleep with their feet in my mouth and their breathing thisclose to my face.
I am pretty sure I have told you all (and everyone in the line at the grocery store, and the entire congregation at church, and all the moms at the bus stop, well you get the idea ...) that my baby is possessed. 
He very literally cries all day.
He is only content when I am holding him.
And just when I have him tucked into bed, he wakes up and cries. Again.
I am not really sure why he is so unsettled. 
I don't consider myself to be a child-rearing expert but I am pretty sure this behavior is not normal.
So, I have resorted to co-sleeping with Micah, so that when he wakes up every 12 minutes, he will see me sleeping next to him, kick me in the back, and then go back to sleep.
Don't judge.
On an unrelated note entirely, Ryan is really enjoying kindergarten. 
I never blogged about her starting school (along with a mile-long list of other events) because I am still experiencing computer slash internet connection defunct-ment, not because they are unimportant.
I digress.
Ryan is like a shining star in her kindergarten class.
I mean, I assume she is because she comes home and tells me everyday about all the naughty kids in her class and their appalling behavior and how she would certainly never act like them. 
She attends all day, and even rides the bus. 
Her teacher, Mrs. Roddy, tells me that Ryan is an angel, a smart angel.
And Ezra is the model student of a different variety.
I am home-preschooling him and he actually likes his workbook and activities.
He positively shines with individual attention and soaks up them teachins' like a sponge.
He turns into a sugary sweet, sharing, helpful brother/son as soon as Ryan leaves in the morning and he has unchallenged remote-control access, random trips to the driving range with Daddy, and no one taking toys away from him.
And Micah, well, we all know what he does all day, poor thing.
And as for me, I am just working on little projects here and there.
For our home.
That we don't have.
And more importantly, I cut off my hair. 
I love my new Miley-esque 'do. 
I seriously hacked it off and haven't looked back. 
It takes no time to style and when I am done, I actually like the results.
{Insert picture of me fist-pumping in front of the mirror every day after I get out of the shower}.
It is that big of a deal.
And Scott is finally a licensed doctor. (Thanks to the state of Washington and their competent and well-organized licensing department, we only had to wait twiddling our thumbs for 4 1/2 months!)
He has been down to Tumwater a few times now and is a working optometrist. 
Oh well, whatev. 
Oh also, Scott would probably want me to tell you about something he would find even more important ... the big fish he caught.
 Last week. 
A salmon. 
That he then later cooked for us. 
After de-boning it's bloody, fishy body in the sink.
As in so happy, that he requested a portrait of the two of them, him sporting the biggest, proudest smile I have seen, well ever. Yep, probably not even at our wedding.
Silly guy.
My family is a bunch of lunatics.

Oh Ezra ...

This one is all about Ezra.

Why? Well, because he just turned four ...ahem, in August.

I am on a roll.

Anyway, where to start?
 

Ezra is wild, spirited, enthusiastic, one who never stops talking, exhausting strong willed a sweet boy.

He loves his family and ends every night by saying, "I love you, do you know that?"
His words exactly.
He also insists on sleeping with his blanket, and his two "kids," a Scottish Highland cow affectionately named Frodo, and a diaper-wearing bear named Nicolas?

And although he has a tender heart, he is also a boy.

Which would explain why on more than one occasion I hear what sounds like Ryan crying, Micah crying, and Ezra laughing manically in the next room.

He is definitely an instigator.

And he lies about it.

"Mommy, I didn't touch Ryan. And I definitely didn't hit her in the face with a pillow."

"I didn't take Micah's toothbrush away from him."

"I am not sure how Ryan's barbie ended up nudie."

Nice.

He is also the pickiest. eater. ever.

He tells me every night, "Please don't ever make (fill in the blank with every meal I have ever made) again."

He only loves breakfast food, pizza, and treats.
Oh, and did I mention that he is also obsessed with video games?
Like as in, I have to rip the Wii remote from his frantic death-grip every time he tricks Scott into letting him play.
His life has only one purpose, and that purpose is to save Peach from Bowzer's tyrannical enslavement.
Can I get a "good grief?"
Anyway, although he is one independent little mister, he has my heart in a way no one else does.
I can't imagine my life without my Ezzy.
I love to hear him say hangaber (the correct way to say hamburger), witches, and anything the involves the letter "L."
He is a happy boy, unless he is irate ... which can happen in a split second ... he's kind of an extreme child ... like his father. Just sayin'.
But he has the brightest smile and gives THE BEST kisses.

His golfing birthday cupcakes.
I'll admit, they turned out better than I thought they would.
Although with my sister's master skills, I should have known they would be stellar.
(p.s. Scott so kindly informed me that the "grass" cupcakes should have been darker and the cupcakes representing the "green" should have been lighter. And to that I say, whatev. Look, I made golf cupcakes. What more do you want from me? Just kidding.)

This picture perfectly embodies Ezra.
A big cheesy grin, a black eye, and treats, golfing treats no less.
This boy loves him some golf.
Scott actually took Ez to the driving range that morning (where he acquired said black eye). And out to lunch at McDonald's for a happy meal.
He was in birthday heaven.
Although truth be told, we had to make up for his lousy, sweaty birthday last year, which involved a cranky newborn brother and melted cupcakes in our blistering, miniature apartment. Fun.

Happy birthday to our Fezzy Wig. We love you!