WARNING!JUVENILE RANT AHEAD!

I just put a new container of vanilla creamer in the door of the fridge at work. There are only a few people in our office that like their coffee that sweet and I don't mind sharing. SHARING!!! I went to use MY creamer for the SECOND time and it was GONE! COMPLETELY GONE, the container and all!

Why are people so inconsiderate and rude!? It is just like the honey for my tea. People use it up and never offer to replace it. So, I stopped bringing it in entirely. Guess what happened. Nothing. No one has brought any in. Honey I can keep at my desk. Coffee creamer, not so much.

I know! I'll put it in a baby bottle and let them all think it belongs to Nathan. They might wonder why it is here, but if they think it is formula, they won't use it.

GRRRRRRR!!!!!!

Take a Chill Pill! We're In for a LONG RIDE!

So, it looks like we're heading to Tennessee for the weekend. Not exactly right around the corner for us. In fact, it is estimated to be a NINE hour drive. Marc's dad is here from Japan and we're going to make the trip to meet them.

We made a six hour trip with the two kids in May, which turned into ten hours. It was a nice drive and we did stop A LOT. We'll have limited time so, we'll be trying to hurry this time.

How to keep poor Syd busy in the car is my next project. I think I am going to hit the library and pick up a ton of books. Our portable dvd player was on the fritz during the last trip so, I hope it stays in check. I'm sure we'll have to bring crayons and stickers too.

On another note, I'm almost finished with Randy Pausch's 'The Last Lecture.' If you don't know the background, you should definitely Google him. His book was a quick read and very inspirational. Sadly, Professor Pausch died last week of pancreatic cancer. My sympathy goes out to his family and friends.

Yippee! Down Blood Pressure, Down

Went to the dr yesterday. I'm so excited b/c they are taking me off of the bp medicine for three weeks to see how it goes. They think my body has started regulating itself again b/c I was having dizzy spells. I, of course, have to pull a Scooby Doo, "Ri Donno, Raggy?!" The reason, they said, is because I was having hypotensive episodes, or something like that. Essentially, my body is now, they believe, over correcting with the medicine. So, I won't take it for a few weeks to see if the bp stays down and the dizzy episodes go away.

I just do what they tell me. I'm just glad there is a possibility of not having to take that crap anymore. I HATE MEDICINE! :)

Recent Conversations With Sydney!

Sunday, we decided to go to the Orange County Fair. I hadn't been since I was a kid and it wasn't what I remembered, but was fun nonetheless. Driving down a dirt road of Montpelier (Tom was at the wheel), the conversation began:

Sydney: Grandpa, why are you driving so slow? Is it because you don't want to have an accident?

Grandpa: Uh-huh, yeah, whatever.

Sydney: Mom, Grandpa is driving slow so we won't have an accident right?

Mom: That's right. There are lots of people around and we are on a gravel road.

Sydney: Oh. Yeah, we don't want to have an accident, right?

Mom: Right.

A few moments of silence.

Sydney: No accidents. I'm keeping my underwear dry, mom. Are you?

Mom: (Laughing) Yes, honey. I'm keeping my underwear dry.

Sydney: Grandpa is driving slow so we won't have an accident and he'll keep his underwear dry too.

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Last night, I was getting Syd ready for bed. She's been getting out of the bed a lot these days and coming up with every excuse in the book to drag out the night time process. We're trying desperately to get her out of this. Generally, we attempt to take things away, but it had been fairly unsuccessful, until now. She had a few items that we threaten to take away and she'll seriously contemplate whether she should go further or not. For example, her Dora "pack pack," Playdo, or her LiteBright. Since we paid for her to do Summer camp this year, we've threatened to take "Splash Days" away, but haven't had to go that far yet.

Last night, she'd already lost her "pack pack" at dinner for being a sassy-pants and I just knew she was gearing up to start her nightly ritual of hopping in and out of the bed. So, while dressing her, we had a chat:

Mom: Now, Sydney, it is late. In fact, it is a half hour past your bedtime. Tonight, we need to stay in the bed after we kiss goodnight, right?

Sydney: Right. I'm going to stay in the bed. (I should mention I hear this every night.)

Mom: I'm serious, Sydney. Very serious. If you get out of this bed, even once, I'm taking Splash Day tomorrow. Understand?

Sydney: Yes.

Mom: I mean it. Now, what is going to happen if you get out of the bed?

Sydney: I will not go to Splash Day once.

Mom: Right. If you get out of this bed, even once, there will be no Splash Day tomorrow. Okay?

Sydney: Okay.

Mom: Now, give me hugs and kisses. (I lean in to hug her.)

Sydney: So, I will not get out of the bed. Right?

Mom: Right?

Sydney: But, I can get out of the bed after you're in bed. Right?

(I'm smiling at this point because I know she is referring to the fact that she comes and climbs in the bed with us in the middle of the night. She wants to make sure she's not going to lose Splash Day for that. So funny she is trying to evaluate the level of risk. )

Mom: (Smiling) You're silly. No, you won't lose Splash Day for that. I love you (kisses). Night Night. (I start to walk away.)

Sydney: (She jumps out of bed and runs to the edge, careful not to get down.) I want another hug.

Mom: (Of course, I'm a sucker for hugs.) Okay. (I meet her at the edge of her bed.)

Sydney: (So grown up) I love ya, Mom.

Mom: I love you too, Sweetie.

Sydney: I love ya A LOT.

Mom: I love you A LOT!

And so it went for another few minutes. I tucked her in one last time, turned off her light and left the room. Sydney did NOT follow last night. She stayed in bed, until the middle of the night. I used to make a big deal about her going in her own room in the middle of the night. Not anymore. I don't care. I'd rather snuggle with her while she'll have me. If she isn't kicking the crap out of me, I'm fine. We know all too well that, before we know it, she'll not want to snuggle with us. It is just part of growing up, but for now, we'll pretend that day will never come. :)

Yay! Yay! Yay!

I've had such a good time tonight. RF was awesome!

Of course, when you add alcohol into the mix, you get interestng sideshows. We had the typical macho men acting foolish, the WAY TOO YOUNG couple completely making out (Gross!) and the silly girls trying to show as much skin as possible.

Then, the most fun is watching the groups of girls dancing and being silly, the parents and their young daughters snuggling on blankets and, of course, hearing the crowd belt out a song with all their might, even if they are off key. I love being a witness to such things, people loving life. It is yet another reminder to me to enjoy each day and sing loudly (even if I am more than a little off key).

Thank you, honey, for letting me drag you. You can't pretend anymore. I saw you dancing. ;). Wes, I'm so glad you came again. RF wouldn't be the same without you.

Night night all! Now, how in the WORLD are we going to get out of this parking lot?

Next Next

I'm holding my breath. RF is almost on.

This place is PACKED! The show completely sold out. How lucky are we that we got in for $30 when people are paying $150 for LAWN SEATS. Crazy!

Sorry to keep posting, but this is my journal and I want to remember how excited I was.

Sweet Anticipation

Hanging out is the name of the game right now. Any minute Taylor Swift will be taking the stage. The sun has set and we've got a nice breeze and a very friendly crowd.

Marc and I spent the day together and, of course, it was nice. We went out for breakfast, ran errands and watched a movie before meeting Wes for dinner.

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend too! They let us bring in our cameras. Maybe, just maybe, we'll get a few shots from way back here.

Yay! It's Friday!

Happy happy Friday to all! I've been looking forward to this weekend for over a month.

Grandma Sebrina is picking up my babies today. I'm sure going to miss them, but we've got enough to keep us occupied.

Tonight is date night with my honey! Cannot wait! I'm not sure where we will be going to dinner yet, but I can be assured I will actually get to taste my food. :) Then, we were thinking we'd see a movie. Two in a month!!! HOLY CRAP!!! Of course, they will be the only two in the last six-nine months. :) That is okay. I'm so out of touch. I took a look at the movie schedule and didn't really recognize anything. Well, Hancock, but we haven't decided. Any suggestions?

Tomorrow is RASCAL FLATTS! I cannot wait. I saw them last spring, but I'm excited to see them again. In fact, they are the only repeats for me. Yay! Yay! Hanging out on a blanket in the lawn with my Marc and Wes. We're going to pack a dinner and head over early. If I get ambitious, I may even fry chicken. Of course, I have priorities tomorrow. First, I will be sleeping in. Second, I might take a nap. Third, I'll shower. :) I'm sure I'll eat also, but you get the gist.

Finally, Sunday will close with the Orange County Fair. I haven't been since I was a kid, but I'm going to meet Mom and Tom there so that I can hang out with them and the kids. Sydney has been learning about dairy cows and there should be a few there. I bet she'll love it. Nate is so easy going, he would be happy just about anywhere.

Oh! I signed up for Facebook. I'm a total newbie and I don't have anything up yet, but I'm there. I am not sure how updated it will be, as I prefer rambling here, but I'll give it a whirl.

Have a great day and weekend!

Wacky Wednesday

Ever just have one of those days? Of course you do!

I have been all over the place today. Interesting for today is an email my grandma sent warning of hairbands made out of...hold on...trying not to barf..USED CONDOMS! Seriously! Snopes confirmed it!

I happened to surf the net this afternoon, a rare event these days. I decided to type in names of high school friends and I actually made contact with Mary-Tyler. Jane, remember her? Turns out she's in LA with her husband, a prof at LSU. It has been about 12 yrs since we spoke. Funny huh?

In more upsetting news, my grandparents had to put her puppy to sleep. I know how badly this sucks and my heart goes out to them.

Well, I'm off to eat. I hope you guys have a great night.

Friends Don't Let Friends Do It

I'm so paranoid about margarets and bats that I try to check in my desk drawer mirror often. Today, I failed and my coworkers let me down.

Fyi-we refer to that undesirable bit of spinach in your teeth as "Margaret" and "bats in the cave" are... obvious.

So, I hopped in my car this afternoon and was horrified to find a bat flappin' around where it does not belong. Immediately I wondered how long it was there and more importantly, who knew but was afraid to say something?! Oh the embarrassment! Well, okay, so it isn't that bad. It was a baby at least.

So, the next time you are a witness, let the poor person know that "margaret is home" or that "a bat has landed." Don't let them innocently roam about! :)

Still Catching Up

I still have a ton of pics to upload, but I thought I'd put a few recent ones up. Last weekend, we had our photos taken. Here are a few of them:

Father's Day Silliness

Wow! I told you I was catching up. Father's Day pics!

Blowin' Bubbles

Sydney loves to blow bubbles and spill soap all over anything and everything. :) Take a look!

Honoring Hannah

**Corrected**

One year ago, Rach and B lost their sweet Hannah, in body. Hannah's death touched our family deeply and I am unable to fully explain how the life of this little girl changed mine forever.

I had always been very thankful for my family and friends, but would often take for granted the time I have with them and the time I have here. On July 19, 2007, that changed. I see Hannah Sparklies in all things big and small now. I honor the time I spend with my family and friends and try to live in the NOW, not tomorrow. I no longer fear I might wake my children up by kissing them goodnight. Now, I do it anyway. I treasure those "moments" more than ever now and try to commit them to memory. I know this is probably not possible. :) I am very forgetful.

Thank you to Hannah for allowing me to find beauty in the ordinary. Thank you to Rach and B for inspiring me. Your family has helped me to be a better mother, friend and wife. I will be forever grateful to you.

Life is full of fleeting moments. Make it your duty to catch and savor them.

With love,
Jess

Nathan Nathan

Nathan had his six month check up this afternoon. He is 25.75" tall and weighs 16 lbs 12.5 ounces. He's a little shorty right now as he is only in the 25th percentile, but that could change in a month.

Wes, you are in big trouble! Mr. Nate has started really taking off. He's starting to use his knees a little. It won't be long. It is only the 16th of July. Yay! Golden Corral!

PICTURES PICTURES

I'm finally getting around to posting pictures! Boy do I have a ton!

First, our garden. We planted our garden a while ago and we've harvested our first set of goodies this week (four cucumbers and four anaheim peppers). We've had lots of basil and cilantro, but haven't used any yet.

Here are a few photos from beginning until two or three weeks ago:

SYDNEY SYDNEY

I cannot believe that three years have passed since Syd came into our lives. It really seems like just a few short months.

Sydney had het three year visit yesterday and her stats are:

Height: 38.5" (75th percentile)
Weight: 27.5 lbs (10th percentile)

Surprise! She's tall and thin.

Next week, Nate has his six month apt. There is another one! Six months! Holy crap!

Breaking the Silence!

Okay, I know I have been really bad about posting lately. It isn't intentional really. I just find myself busier than ever and I think wanting to be out of the house when summer is here is a big part.

So, the latest:

1. Our garden is doing okay. I had to trim a lot back because some of the plants were covering their neighbors. In fact, a few of the neighbors (ex: mesclin and lettuce) didn't make it. That is okay. We knew this year would be an experiment. The corn, cucumber and tomatoes are growing well and the others are following...slowly. I've made lots of notes for next year so, I haven't given up on gardening by any stretch.

2. My hair is finally starting to grow back! This is huge. :) After months of falling out to the point I thought I would be bald, it is finally returning. Of course, I have baby hair sticking up, but at least it is growing.

3. Nathan is on the verge of sitting up and crawling. We have a bet with my brother that he'll crawl by the end of the month. If we win, we get Golden Corral. I know, we're lame.

4. I'm starting to think about making Sydney's Halloween costume again. Anyone have any ideas? I'm not a sewing pro by any stretch so, an easy challenge would be good.

5. Upcoming events for us: Jess G is here!, BBQ in W'burg, Rascal Flatts, Camping at Rocky Gap, Kathy Griffin, Martina McBride, Queenstown BBQ and Celine Dion. Wow! I LOVE this time of year. I'd like to throw in a theatre performance. Specifically, Wicked. I've been dying to see it and actually, I'm not sure if it is coming here this year. Last time, it completely sold out within a day or two. I, of course, am slow to find these things out.

So, it wasn't that exciting, but I'll get back into it. I've only allotted ten minutes, which is a ton for me. Hope you all have a great day! :)

Happy Fourth!

We want to wish you all a happy and safe Independence Day!