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!
 

Micah is 1 ... a month ago!

My babiest baby is one.

Already.

And besides his delicious dimples and top two beaver teeth with a cavernous gap between them, I also want to remember:

1. He doesn't walk quite yet. We are half-way there. Instead he makes his way around using both hands and feet with his buns wagging in the air, kinda like a spider would, if that spider were a baby.

2. He loves cheese. He is a great eater and will try anything once, but he saves his deep, and tender feelings of affection for cheese ... string cheese. This is no joke.

3. He rearranges the kitchen. This is quite adorable. Especially when your frantically whipping up dinner, which you said would be ready 30 minutes ago and you have looked high and low for the potato masher only to find it in the toliet ... tomorrow. True story.

4. He loves me. Really, he is the biggest mama's boy that ever lived on the face of the earth. He is like a leech, in an endearing way. Except when I am trying to use the bathroom. And he is outside the door screaming, or has somehow fought his way in and is now sitting in my lap. Awesome.

5. He is all boy. And by that I mean destructive, with a capitol D.

6. He loves his siblings. Especially Ryan. He thinks she is just the best thing next to sliced bread, er ... cheese.

7. He gives a mean headbutt. That is how he shows you he likes you.

8. He is a terrible sleeper. He wakes up still two and three times a night, looking for ... you guessed it, me. But he makes up for it by being so delectable. His squinty-eyed smile gets me every time. Too bad he isn't doing that at 2:30 in the morning.

9. He has to have the last word. No, he doesn't actually speak words, but will continue making noises until you stop talking.

Me: "Micah, I am getting the string cheese out of the fridge, so stop screeching."

Him: "Mmahh!"

Me: "Shhhh!"

Him: "Neh!"

Me: "Micah, shhh."

Him: "Eeehhhh."

Me: (giving him a scowl in resignation.)

Him: "Mehhh!

10. He is a great car baby. And a good travel companion. He is by far my most patient child when participating in my weekly Goodwill visits. He is pretty content while running errands or shopping. But as soon as we get home the complaining starts. Apparently, being at home is lame.

11. He is pretty good at getting his hair cut. This could be due to frequency, because I insist on trimming it at least once a month. My issues, not his (OCD).

12. He is a biter. No he doesn't bite just anyone, only me. His teeth grew in much ealier than his siblings. This was a real treat while nursing. And once I discovered his love of chomping, he was magically weened. Now he just sinks his teeth into my shoulder, which is also fun.

13. And just for good measure, he is my snuggliest. He loves a good cuddle. And I love to give it (except when use the facilities, as mentioned above).

We just love our baby Micah and don't really want him to get any bigger. He is awesome. And so handsome. I mean it. Love, love, love him.

Happy Belated Birthday baby boy!

Family pictures

Hellooooo, again.

Remember me?

Well, let's just say we are still somewhere in bloggy-limbo ('cause despite the fact that Marlene and George have spoiled us rotten with a new camera, we now ironically have no internet on our desktop where blog posts are born).

So until we have our own diggs, I will continue uploading pictures to our desktop, gaze at them lovingly, and then blog about how much you would love them too.

And then type a quick post on my FIL's computer while he is napping.

And speaking of limbo, that is kinda the name of the game with our life in general these days.

Now that Scott has GRADUATED (yes, I am painfully aware that I have yet to post about that momentous occasion), and we are still waiting on his medical license, we have set up camp at his parents in Seattle.

I am sure they secretly love that we are here.

It is evident by the manic look in their eyes.

We have interrupted their quiet life with chaos.

Someone is always crying, dropping food on the floor, yelling from the bathroom for "assistance," leaving the front door wide open, watching Power Rangers (which for me would be an automatic dealbreaker), misplacing tools from the garage ... well you get the idea, we are super fun house guests.

And as for me, I am friendless (much to Scott's chagrin) and find myself without structure and wandering around the house in a sports bra and hot pants which I have been told makes my father-in-law uncomfortable is socially unacceptable and sorta sad.

However, we are looking forward to moving in the fall to Tumwater, WA where Scott has been offered a job, so that's a relief.

To all.

I'm sure.

Anyway, despite my relationship with electronics, I do have some pictures to show off.

Before leaving Forest Grove, my talented friend Lisa took some family photos for us.

I LOVE how they turned out.

Seriously. so. good.

It helps that Lisa is super fun, easy-going, and brought candy.

And yes, I overheard the phrase, "Scott, you can have a ring pop when this is over, if you cooperate."

So without further ado, my beee-utiful family:

Micah cooperated perfectly, but would not crack a smile despite our best efforts.

We were behind Lisa jumping around like a couple of lunatics, which was obviously not funny.

Ezra is so handsome.

The older two really did behave perfectly.

Isn't this stairwell, awesome?

I told Lisa I was looking for an "urban" feel for our pictures, and she delivered by taking us to, and I quote, "a disgusting alley. Which is awesome."

And is was. So awesome.

It was exactly what I wanted.

Yes, we are still growing Ryan's hair out.

I am actually liking her with no bangs.

I look like a nut job, but this is one of the few where Micah is smiling.

And Ezra is playing in the dirt.

Score.

This is one of my favorites.

Look at Micah's face.

He is clearly enjoying himself, that or plotting Lisa's demise.

And this one is just sweet.

Thank you Lisa.

Peace out.

(I am going to work on a new sign off, I sound like a hoodlum.)

there are no pictures included once again

I miss my blog.
I haven't given him any attention lately.
And it isn't for lack of writing material.
Not that our lives are riddled with adventure, but we get around (in the non-promiscuous way).
And yet, I have no photographic evidence of these activities ... again.
But this time, I have a real excuse.
My camera is officially broken.
The timing is impeccable.
The life of said camera may or may not have ended right after a certain husband was asked to "fix" the broken device because the zoom was permanently zoomed, shook it with considerable force, tried to push the lens back into place, cracked the viewfinder, muttered something that sounded like, "sonuva" and dropped it into the trash.
Oh well, it was on the fritz anyhow.
Now once we start making the big bucks we can purchase a new one.
Until then I can paint the pictures with my words, or borrow a camera from my dad.
We choose the latter.
However I have yet to figure out how to upload the pics from the camera to my computer, so until then prepare to be spellbound with prose.
Since I last checked in, we have celebrated an anniversary (our 9th ... which we commemorated with a non-romantic dinner at a Mexican restaurant listening to all of our children whine whilst trying to coax them to eat their nachos ... I mean what child doesn't like nachos?), mother's day (on which I was able to take a heavenly three-hour nap), and finally GRADUATION!
GRADUATION deserves it's own post (along with all caps), so I will save that special day for later.
But I am still so excited about Dr. Scott earning his O.D. that maybe I will talk about it just a little.
And then I will talk about it again with pictures.
And let's face it, I will probably talk about it for years to come.
Lucky you.
After 9 long years of schooling, we (and I say we because I am absolutely an essential part of this equation, thankyouverymuch) are finished!
I still can't really believe that there will be no more late nights studying, stressful tests, paying tuition, or say a six-month-long period of time where I have to parent singlehandedly while Scott treats patients another state away.
I am so proud of Scott and all that he has accomplished.
He graduated with distinction (which means he had a helluva high GPA) and snagged a big fat award for "demonstrating excellence in the pursuit of primary care skills" which loosely translates to mean that he is a kick a** doctor.
And good job me. I am tired.
Taking care of this lunatic family while Scott is M.I.A. is nothing to sneeze at.
But we did it.
And now we are moving on.
Where to, you may ask?
Well, we are going to run for the border and head to Washington shortly to fulfill a grant obligation.
So we will no longer be students for the first time in our married life.
Exciting.

So until next time I will be fiddling around with the lent camera and I will, so help me, retrieve those pictures of GRADUATION.
Bye.