The McDonoughs 4

Oh yeah, I have a blog

2012-02-03T17:35:00.000-08:00

Laney's review of the new memory foam mattress topper on our bed:

Why do my feet sink in? when I am jumping?! This is exhausting and it wastes my time.
And cheese.
(She says "cheese" a lot. We are not sure why, but it kind of makes sense when she says it.)

Then she flopped down to illustrate her exhaustion. Then she left in a hurry.
There is no photo.

:)

Photo Dump

2011-02-07T08:30:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I've been here. Here are some photos. I like the ones where you can tell the weather is warm.

Pumpkin Patch 2010

2010-10-19T17:28:00.000-07:00

It's fall photo dump time. You've got to love that golden autumn light.

Millie

Laney & Me

Jason & Laney

Grams & Gramps Bullough

Cousin train

Millie & Jada
Grandpa in background

Corn Box!

Mia + corn box

The corn box is awesome!

Pensive about pumpkins

Millie

Unpredicable

2010-08-19T17:45:00.000-07:00

So Laney ate a jellyfish while we were in Ocean City, NJ. You probably heard about it already so I won't elaborate. But, guys, A JELLYFISH. Ask her about it some time.

At the end of the Ocean City trip Laney met her uncle's brother and his brother's girlfriend. She decided to introduce herself to them and in a very ~~Laney-like~~ solemn way she stood in front of them and said, "Hi, I'm Laney. I'm 4 years old." And then she bowed deeply at the waist. That's how we do introductions here in SLC. All formal-like.

You know how Laney is always moving and talking and is generally loud? I just heard her approach Jason, who is listening to some music at a moderate volume, and say, between foot stomps and door slams, "Dad, can you quiet down please. I have a song to sing."

Oh, that kid.

mmmm, broccoli

2010-08-19T16:54:00.000-07:00

Artist

2010-07-29T15:32:00.000-07:00

Millie has been taking an art class from Jason J., a friend and local artist. She has always had artistic aptitude, but I was not expecting this. It kind of blows me away.

Wha...?

2010-07-10T16:45:00.000-07:00

Laney makes up words that aren't really words and toys that aren't really toys. This is especially troublesome because her birthday is fast approaching and she wants some things that don't exist anywhere except her mind.

Thing One: A Rosalina doll. Rosalina, as in Super Mario Brothers, Rosalina. As in a video game character that has an action figure out there somewhere, but not a Barbie-size doll. I realize this is not her fault. There is a doll version of just about every cartoon character imaginable. She sees advertisements and just assumes that's the way it is for everything. Not so for Rosalina, though. I am tempted to buy some other doll and try to dress it in a Rosalina-like way to see if it will suffice. But I know she has a very specific image of what it should look like in her head and this deception will only result in tears. Probably mine.

Thing Two: A Green Cabaline. I'm not sure I'm spelling this correctly because Cabaline is not really a word so how would I know how to spell it? Green Cabaline was a name she used to name stuffed animals and dolls, but it has recently morphed into an actual thing that she wants. When I ask her to explain herself she gets very frustrated and says, "You know! A Green Cabaline! Oh right, now I understand.

Thing Three: Tentacle chips. We were grocery shopping and she got so mad because she wanted some of those tentacle chips. (?) We walked up and down the aisles looking for them. Me, pointing to different bags saying, "Is this it?" Her, getting more and more frustrated with me saying, "NO! The tent-acle ones!" over and over. Finally we stopped in front of the Pringles. Pringles = Tentacle chips. Now how did I not know that?

Adams Canyon Hike With Jason

2010-06-17T14:53:00.000-07:00

Sideways

2010-06-17T10:55:00.000-07:00

Today is a walk-sideways-one-step-at-a-time-down-the-stairs kind of day. That's how sore I am. I wouldn't mind it so much except when the girls are fighting and I need to intervene it's hard to get there fast and even harder, I imagine, to be taken seriously when I'm hobbling around like this.

"Oh, look, here comes mom down the stairs. She looks really mad..."

[5 minutes later]

"We're in trouble. I bet she's gonna kick our asses.

Wait. She can't! because she's too sore.

Let's just keep fighting."

I need to stretch so ass-kicking is an option if it really needs to be done.

'Cause, you know, that's the kind of mom I am. The ass-kicking kind.

(sorry, mom, for saying "ass" so many times)

Ass.

Millie

2010-05-05T19:49:00.000-07:00

7 is an awesome age. I ask Millie to do something and she does it! Happily even. I think I can officially say she is a bookworm. We were at Costco the other day and she was practically swooning over a chapter book that's probably too advanced for her right now, but how could I not buy it for her when a) it's book and she wants it b) she wants it bad c) hello? it's a book!

Jason has been reading the Harry Potter books to her nightly. They are on the last book of the series, which also happens to be the darkest, most grown-up book. I think this is one of those cases of know your own child because there are definitely 7 year olds out there who would be scared of some of the stuff that happens in the book. But Millie is not one of them. She can't wait for the next chapter. And the next and the next.

When there is a word or plot development she doesn't fully understand she is quick to ask about it. Jason is patient; he always stops to explain and doesn't move on until she grasps it. There are a ton of characters in the HP books and she knows them all by name. She remembers the charms and magical creature's names and everyone's peculiarities. I love it!

7 is an awesome age.

3 going on 65

2010-05-05T19:30:00.000-07:00

Recently Laney has taken to talking like a 65 year old grandma. No one knows why, but here are some examples:

Laney: Mama? Do you miss my daddy?

Me: Yes. Do you?

Laney: Yes, because he is so adorable.

Me: [laughing] He is pretty adorable, isn't he?

Laney: Yes, he is and I want to squeeeeeeeze him.

Sugar booger. She calls people sugar booger.

As in, "Bye sugar booger daddy."

"Goodnight, sugar booger mommy."

"Oh, you are such a sugar booger."

Nutella, Anyone?

2010-04-15T19:25:00.001-07:00

Getting Laney to eat has been a chore lately. In this photo you can see how desperate I am for her to eat something. Calories in! They make you less grumpy! So yes, I resorted to a bowl of Nutella. Or as Laney sometimes calls it, "chocolate peanut butter". It was a very small bowl. Now stop with the judging. At least I didn't let her eat it straight from the jar with her fingers.

Spring!

2010-03-28T17:05:00.000-07:00

Millie is out of school this week for Spring Break. We're (I'm) looking for some old-school (cheap) entertainment. Remember sliding down the stairs in a sleeping bag? Well, we just mastered that one. The only problem is my heart is in my throat every time I hear that thump, thump, thump down the stairs. It might be a long week. I'm hoping for sunshine in spite of what the weather report says. And a girl can hope, right?

Happy Spring, everyone. (Yes, I know that photo of Laney is bleary. You try getting her to hold still for a second.)

Thank you Easter Bunny

2010-01-09T18:12:00.000-08:00

In case I don't make it back here before Easter now I'm ahead of the game.

(Thanks, Jessie, for this photo)

Christmas 2009

2010-01-08T12:03:00.000-08:00

Fall 2009 was awesome and I've got the photos to prove it!

2010-01-08T11:00:00.000-08:00

Going for a ride on a shovel. What? You've never done that?!

This pretty much sums up Millie.

And this pretty much sums up Laney. :)

COW TRAIN!

Fearless Laney!

The girls in the corn box.

Laney climbing the robe wall to get to the big slide at the pumpkin patch.

Laney, the fierce T-Rex

J and the girls.

Loving the sunshine.

Millie, the devil princess.

Fairy House

2009-09-20T18:22:00.000-07:00

Because they are cute

2009-09-09T08:42:00.000-07:00

Village

2009-09-09T08:19:00.000-07:00

School is in full swing for both of the girls. Yesterday it was summer vacation and then I turned around for one second and suddenly we are already 3 weeks into the school year. That is how time seems to pass around here. So quickly that the last week of summer when Millie was sick with the barfing flu and ended up at Primary Children's Hospital is already a distant memory to me and to her. ("Mom? Do you remember when I was so brave and I got that needle in my arm so my blood could have a drink?" I remember. And Grandma Tammy hurried to our house in the morning so I could go to the hospital? And the next day Grandma Bullough came over? Yes and yes.)

That is not an illness I wish to repeat. Ever. But the one thing it did make me realize is how lucky we are to have family and friends who drop everything to help out. Tammy was at our house within an hour of my scared and tearful and exhausted phone call. My mom came over the next day for moral support and just in time for Laney to get sick (not as bad as Millie). William and Ann brought the girls a laptop (a laptop!) that is theirs to keep forever. You should see Millie play Majong Titans on that thing. Tim and Camille made us pizza when we were too tired to feed ourselves.

...Sometimes it really does take a village. And what a good village we have.

A 6-year-old smile

2009-08-11T11:15:00.001-07:00

Last Night

2009-08-11T10:41:00.001-07:00

Before the girls go to sleep I usually sing them a lullaby. They take turns picking the song. Currently there are 3 in rotation: Sleep My Child, Hush Little Baby and Favorite Things. Last night was Laney's turn to pick. Keep in mind we're still working on potty training. Here are her requests:

Me: What song should we sing?

Laney: (smirking) Hush Little Toots?

Me and Millie: (Simultaneously) Noooooo!

Laney: giggle

Millie: Laney! No toots, farts, poops or pees! Okay?

Laney: ....(mulling this over for a minute) Toot Little Baby?

Me and Millie: (sigh) No.

Laney: Oooootay.

(wicked little smile) Favorite Toots?

Even though it's potty humor it's still pretty funny. Don't you think?

Laney is 3

2009-07-20T14:00:00.001-07:00

New B!

Candles!

Dear Laney,

You are 3 years old! Good job, little one. You almost always have skinned knees and elbows--a testament to the way you throw yourself into everything you do. You are as brave as can be. Sure, you might cry for a minute over an owie, but then you shake it off, slap a Bandaid on it and go on with your day. You're pretty tough! Sometimes I need to remind myself that even though you are so tough you are still a sensitive little soul.

You have some very particular likes: Bs (blankets) and candles. In fact, that was all you wanted for your birthday and you meant it! Last week your daddy, Millie and I took you to Toys R Us to pick out some birthday gifts. We were hoping you might choose a bicycle. On our way to the bikes we walked by the baby stuff and you zeroed in on a B with monkeys on it and you HAD TO HAVE IT. We let Millie get it for you for your birthday and then we asked you to look at some bikes too. You didn't give a hoot about the bikes. Sure, you sat on one to make us happy, but then you wanted to get off and snuggle with that B. We felt defeated.

We decided to let you walk around the store and look at some other stuff. After all, we were in a giant toy store. There was bound to be something else in there that might catch your eye. You wandered the aisles, new B in hand, looking for fuzzy things. You would rub the fuzzy thing between your fingers and then announce, "That's not a B!" as if the joke was on us. So we gave up and bought you that B, some games and a couple books and called it good.

Your sister noticed I was a little annoyed at the whole situation and she, in her 6 year old brilliance, reminded me, "Mom! It's OK! Some people like princesses, like me, and some people like Bs, like Laney! Both are good." You know what? Millie is right. You have 10 Bs now and that's just fine. Can you maybe work on not needing them all at once, though?

I love you, Laney.

Mama

Krazy Kar!

These Girls

2009-07-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

I know this won't always be the case but right now these girls are the best of friends. It nearly kills Laney when Millie goes on a play date and she's not invited. She'll ask, "Where's Miwie?" and look for her around the house until I remind her she's not home. Then she pouts and asks when she'll be back.

Millie is mostly very tender with Laney; with some teasing and harassment thrown in for good measure. Those of you who know Laney, know she does her fair share of harassing and maybe even starts it most of the time. But she's tender too. She's quick to comfort Millie when she's hurt and she's good at soothing boo boos. I know this won't always be the way it is but I can hope.

Photo recap aka the easy blog update

2009-07-20T13:32:00.001-07:00

Sometime in June a friend my sis, Janelle, and I have know FOREVER was in town with her kids. Janelle knows important people in Heber City and she was able to score us some free Heber Creeper tickets. Thank you Janelle! Above the kids (cousins, friends) are riding or waiting for the Heber Creeper in various poses of not looking at the camera. And there's a little princess photo thrown in just to see if you are paying attention. FYI, always choose the short ride on the Heber Creeper. Trust me on this one.

A little Laney

2009-06-15T11:32:00.001-07:00

The whole B thing has become ridiculous. (B=her blankets, in case you forgot) In the photo above there are at least 3 Bs. There are probably more buried under the ones we can see. In her bed right now there are 5 Bs. Her birthday is coming and she only wants more Bs. And candles. Don't even suggest something else like a truck or a doll because those things are ridiculous and what would she possibly do with them. Also, if you are wondering what she's going to be when she grows up, she's going to be a pirate. A pirate who talks in a gruff 2 year-old voice. I love this kid!

This happened:

2009-06-15T11:31:00.001-07:00

Finally! No more top tooth hanging by a thread.

Dance

2009-06-15T11:15:00.000-07:00

Millie's dance recital was a couple weeks ago so you can see I'm a little behind in my reporting. There is nothing sweeter than a little girl in a tutu. All that sweetness almost makes up for the hell that goes along with putting the hair in a ballet bun. Almost.

The shiny red and blue costume is for tap. Imagine 8 or so 5 and 6 year olds tapping to The Jackson 5's ABC 123 song. Got it? The cute almost kills you.

What I really want to say

2009-05-25T21:19:00.000-07:00

Dear Blog,

Why can't you update your own self and just leave me out it?

Sincerely,
Jenny

(Blog did not respond so here are some photos of the girls)

Yes I know. They are beautiful.

B Girl

2009-05-25T21:09:00.000-07:00

So You Think You Can Dance just started up again. I love that show! Here's Laney with her audition.

Garden

2009-05-25T20:54:00.000-07:00

We started a little garden patch in our front yard. Since we live on a busy street we rarely spend time out there so we decided to put it to use. Wish us luck. We're growing tomatoes, arugula, spinach and basil. We welcome your advice and affirmations.

Field Trip

2009-04-24T18:36:00.000-07:00

Last week I chaperoned a field trip to Red Butte Gardens. It should have been awesome, but it wasn't. Nope, not at all. I was in charge of a very sweet group of 5 girls. We decided our collective field trip name would be Girl Train because we held hands so we were a train of girls. Brilliant, yes? OK , that part was awesome. The not so awesome part commenced when we were introduced to our guide, B, she was O-L-D. I have nothing against old, but come on, these are kindergartners. They need someone with energy; someone who can talk above a whisper; someone who walks, not shuffles and that someone was not B.

B told us about poisonous plants and poisonous snakes. She pointed out the Children's Garden. In fact, she paraded us right past it, but told the children, "No, you can't go in there today. It takes too long and it's too cold." Then she herded us back to the Visitor Center to color pictures of daffodils. In the meantime, the rest of the class not in our group was laughing and cavorting in the garden. We heard tale of a pond with stepping stones, but we cannot confirm that such a thing exists because we had coloring to do. Indoors.

And that photo of Millie above? I'm pretty sure that tree is poisonous and there's a Rattler hiding right behind it.

Bring on the sun

2009-04-08T08:35:00.000-07:00

It's Spring break around here and I don't know that anything represents how we're feeling about it better than this photo.

The park + 2 popsicles= 2 smiley girls

Potty Training

2009-03-29T09:58:00.000-07:00

We're still working on it and we've made some progress. Stuff is happening in the potty, just not on a regular basis or consistently. We do talk about it A LOT and it's made for some pretty interesting conversation, some of which happens at the dinner table whether we like it or not. For example, last week we're eating and laughing and trying to ignore the fact that we have a plumber in our basement again, in spite of a $10,000 sewer line replacement last year, and out of nowhere Laney yells, "HOT POOP! HOT POOOOP!" We know that laughing at such talk only encourages her, but it's so weird and random and accurate, given the plumber in the basement, that we can't help it. So we laugh and lightly discourage her from saying it again. But you know what? I think we're destined to be a family of poop jokes and bodily humor hilarity and I kind of like that about us.

(POOOOOP!)

Walking report card & some dancing

2009-03-14T14:07:00.000-07:00

This trimester instead of a parent-teacher conference Millie's class had a walking report card. This entailed watching her do some class work, grading her on it, and, my favorite part, some singing and dancing.

View dancing portion here:

Laney has a dance too. Please forgive it's unedited quality.

Classic Skating Photos

2009-03-14T13:54:00.000-07:00

The real reason Jason wanted kids is so he has an excuse to ride a plasma car.

Jess and Luke Luke & Laney in the bouce around

The big girls

Sleepover!

6 Years Old

2009-02-26T22:08:00.001-08:00

Millie, 6 years ago from this very moment I was in full-on labor with you. You kind of took your time making your entrance to the world but once you were here it was like you'd always been here. You, and your giant newborn feet. You've grown up so much this past year. You love school and you've become very independent. Today, when we were doing homework you told me you love to read and that was one of the best things you've ever said to me because I love to read too and I'm excited that you're excited about it.

You love school, your teacher and all your school friends. On the way to school you often talk about what you might play at recess. Will it be mousey game? or hamster climbing the wall? or windy day game? It's strange for me to think that you have this whole part of your life that I'm not involved in. It's strange but it also makes me proud because you are so sure of yourself.

I am very pleased to say that having meals with you has also become a bit easier. You used to throw a fit a couple times a week over your dinner, but lately you've been much more pleasant and willing to try new foods. You love mushrooms, broccoli, cooked carrots and of course the staples, like mac and cheese and grilled cheese. It's a relief to your dad and me that you're no longer surviving on pure carbohydrates.

You are very sensitive to other people's feelings, especially your sister's. I love listening to you talk to Laney when you don't know I'm listening. Most of the time you are very tender with her. You take pride in your ability to translate her 2-year-old talk when we don't understand her, which comes in very handy. Yesterday you told me that Laney is a little angel-devil and then you did an impression of her that involved a sweet squeaky voice and a screechy demon voice. You said sometimes you don't know if she's going to kiss you or bite you but you always hope for a kiss. That's one of the things I love most about you: Your willingness take a chance in hope that what you get will be something good.

I love you,
Mama

Birthday Countdown

2009-02-20T11:04:00.001-08:00

In one week Millie will be 6 years old. Here is what she has to say about the matter:

Mom, I am almost a lady. I know that now.

This is a photo of her giant lady foot all prune-y from the bath

My intent here was to post another picture of her very-small-in-comparison,-yet-gigantic-for-a- newborn foot. But then I remembered she was born before we had a digital camera. She is that old! So it looks like someone needs to do some scanning.

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T13:39:00.000-08:00

Good news! They've moved my dad from ICU to intermediate care. While I was at the hospital yesterday he was awake and alert. He ate, walked and joked with us. His ICU doc was really on top of things and has come up with a new plan of action to try to avoid future meningitis infections (this is his second go-around). We are optimistic that he will recover yet again.

2009-02-12T23:18:00.000-08:00

Dad, please get better. We love you.

Remember When It Was Warm?

2009-01-29T18:59:00.000-08:00

To see a slideshow of the girls and their cousin Isaiah being themselves on a lovely end-of-summer day click here

Mom, don't forget to click on play when you get to the slideshow.

The Funny

2009-01-23T11:16:00.000-08:00

When Millie saw the rain today she said, "It's a good thing it's raining today, mom. Umbrellas are my passion."

A few weeks ago Jason brought 2 identical stuffed lions home for the girls. Millie immediately started cooing over hers and named her Crystal. When I asked Laney her lion's name she said, "Hair." Then she tossed him out of her crib.

Potty Talk

2009-01-12T20:34:00.001-08:00

We are in the midst of potty training Laney. It's not going well. Here is a sample of tonight's attempt:

Me: Good night Laney. Love you.

Laney: I need to go potty.

Me: [knowing nothing is going to happen and she's just trying to prolong bedtime, but then what if she really does need to go and this is our big breakthrough and I miss it by ignoring her request...] OK! Let's go potty.

[We head to the bathroom sans diaper. First she sits on the big potty.]

Laney: I going potty!

.............

(nothing is happening)

Laney: I go on little potty!

[We switch to the little potty]

Laney: I tan do it!

[she's not doing it]

Me: You can do it!

Laney: [yells loud to Jason] Daddy I going potty!

Jason: [yells from the kitchen] Yay Laney! You can do it!

[She's still not doing it]

Laney: Mommy, I talking on the potty! You have a beard?

Me: No, I don't have a beard. Stop talking and go potty. YOU CAN DO IT!

Laney: O-tay. Oh, no beard, mommy? You have legs?

Me: Yes, I have legs. Please go potty.

Laney: O-tay. I love potty. I taste the potty?

Me: NO! Never taste the potty. The potty is dirty!

Laney: [sticks her hand in the potty and then her mouth before I can stop her and exclaims:

B-icious!

(Luckily she's on the little potty; there is nothing in it and it's relatively clean, but still...ewwww)

We wash her hands and that's that.

Favorite Moment

2009-01-02T22:39:00.001-08:00

These are important photos. After my dad's accident doctors gave my mom a list of possible problems he could have for the rest of his life. She was told, among other things, he may never speak or be able to care for himself. Here he is playing Sleigh Ride with my mom, a duet they played together when they were dating and still play together once a year. This is the first time since the accident that I have heard them play it.

December Photos

2009-01-02T22:23:00.001-08:00

2 angels in the Bullough Christmas pagent

Chrismas morning

So Last Month

2009-01-02T21:55:00.000-08:00

I know I just posted about the New Year and all, but let's back it up a little to the month of December. T'was a busy month, as Decembers usually are. Highlights include a couple family parties (bet you didn't see that one coming) a couple work parties (no mechanical bull this year), the lights at Temple Square and baking cookies with the girls.

Rather than exchange gifts with our close friends we had a sharing night, hosted by Camille and Tim. We gathered at their home to eat soup, drink a little vino and then we got into the sharing portion of the evening. Poetry, Christmas songs with, ummm, made up lyrics and even one with the real lyrics were among the "shares" of the evening. Have you heard "Long Way Around The Sea" by Low? Because it's beautiful and Aaron, Tim and Brittany really did it justice. William made wooden nickels because that's his thing. He always says, "Don't take any wooden nickels." And now he's made some and they're personalized for our kids and everything. Even for the 2 who aren't born! (I'm talking about our friends' kids folks. The McDonough family is complete.) So now it's time to take wooden nickels, I guess. Anyway, it was a beautful evening and I hope it becomes a tradition.

2009

2009-01-01T19:34:00.001-08:00

So I woke up this morning to the following thoughts:

Wow, my feet really hurt from dancing last night and I haven't even stood up yet.
It's 2009 and I'm so happy and lucky to have great family and friends.
Inauguration day is only 19 days away!! How will we celebrate?

It's lovely to wake up to such optimism. Even the feet hurting part. Happy New Year, everyone!

Already There

2008-12-29T16:13:00.000-08:00

Exhibit A

I really should be updating this blog, but instead I am checking all of your blogs to see if you've updated. I have a lot to catch up on, it being the holidays and all, but I'm out of energy today so I give you this by Jason:

A Lesson Learned (See Exhibit A): It snowed earlier this week and I had told the girls that we’d play in the snow as I shoveled the driveway. I’d found Millie’s snow pants but I couldn’t find some to fit Laney and, knowing that everything comes in two these days to satisfy them both, I decided that I needed a creative solution to the problem. Grabbing the plastic wrap I proceeded to wrap the pieces and fasten them to Laney’s legs and lower torso with tape. It was a success and I laughed my ass off at how much of a redneck I was. We had fun in the snow and Laney kept dry despite her spastic snow angels. Well, Jenny comes home and I’m telling her what I did and “how silly is that” and I’m doing something as she goes downstairs. Within minutes she brought up a bag with mittens and gloves and snow pants. Lesson: know when to get creative and when to use what’s already there.

B

2008-12-16T15:23:00.000-08:00

You know how some kids get attached to their blankets and protest when you wash them because they like the, ummm, funky smell they tend to get after after they've been dragged around for a few days? Well, Laney is kind of the opposite of that. Yes, she's attached to her blanket (Ye-ow B) and yes, she protests when I wash it, but only because I can't wash it fast enough. She wants that fresh from the the dryer smell all the time. I guess I shouldn't complain about her cleanliness fetish, but it is kind of annoying. She has 2 yellow bs and 2 pink ones. Lately only the yellow ones will do (Ye-oww b, Ye-oww b) and I can't wash them often enough. So I've been tricking her... Sometimes I just put one in the dryer and then let her see me get it out and that is enough to appease her. Next I'll be telling you I rubbed it with a dryer sheet for a minute to make it smell fresher. Hmmm, not a bad idea!

This morning

2008-12-04T12:41:00.000-08:00

Millie got in bed with me and said the following:

Mom, I can't wait for my new teeth to grow bigger so then I can call them my Champion Chompers.

(!)

Thanksgiving Weekend

2008-12-01T12:47:00.000-08:00

We had a great weekend with family and friends. We divided our T-day between the Bullough/Fawcetts and the McDonoughs. I won a game of Apples to Apples because I'm amazing. Rematch at Christmas? Well sure! If you can stand the humiliation. Sarah, Brandon and Elliot were in town so we were able to spend a bit of time with them. Oh, and I ate my weight in pie, of course.

Grandpa Frank with a lap full of Zay and Millie

Laney and Elliot. It's hard to see, but I think E's hair is messed up from Laney putting clementine wedges on his head.

Elliot wasn' t sure he wanted to spend time at our house until he saw our vacuum.

b, and Elliot

Sarah and her Grandpa's cowboy boots. If we were, say, having an awesome shoe contest she would totally win.

Laney's Christmas List

2008-11-17T19:18:00.000-08:00

For Christmas this year Laney would like scented candles, lots of 'em, and toothbrushes. Seriously, these are the only things she really cares about. A couple weeks ago her Great Grandma June gave her a vanilla scented candle because Laney was going to steal it if Grandma didn't fork it over. Laney brought it home and slept with it for about a week. We couldn't leave the house without it. Unfortunately, she dropped it in the parking lot of Toys R Us where it shattered into a gazillion tiny pieces. I bought her a new one in a little tin cup, which is much better than glass, I might add. It smells like apples and cinnamon.

A word of advice: If she offers to let you smell one of her candles, smell it and then tell her how good it smells. Don't crinkle up your nose in disdain, or tell her it smells nasty like my sister's brother-in-law did last night. She might not ever let you near her again if you talk smack about her candle.

Don't tell her I told you

2008-11-17T19:02:00.001-08:00

Millie came home from school today with a worksheet about the letter p. She had to write a couple of p words and one she chose to write was poop. Awesome! Then later Jason and I went to our first parent/teacher conference where her teacher had nothing but nice things to say about her. (Poop was not mentioned.) On the way home we stopped and bought her a little diary with a lock and key to reward her for being such a good student. We told her she could write all her secret stuff in it so she immediately ran to her room, unlocked it and wrote a big secret. Later she told me the secret was poop and her name. But don't tell her I told you!

Obama!

2008-11-04T22:00:00.000-08:00

The other day Millie's school held a mock presidential election. Millie couldn't wait to get in the car after school and tell me how she voted for A Rock Obana. High five Millie! We will be working on the correct pronunciation of his name and oh, are we happy!

Pumpkin Carving

2008-11-02T13:34:00.001-08:00

Portland

2008-11-02T13:25:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I visited Wendy and Dan in Portland where the weather was freakishly sunny and warm. Wendy is my best BEST friend since basically the day I was born. We have one of those friendships where we may not talk all that often, but when we're together we just pick up where we left off. Being friends with Wendy is kind of like breathing; I don't even have to think about it, it's that natural. Love you, Wendy! Oh, and also, Wendy and Dan are the perfect hosts. They live in the most perfect neighborhood and I had the most perfect time. Perfect perfect perfect!

The Pumpkin Patch

2008-11-02T12:23:00.000-08:00

While Jason was camping with some of the man-folk in our family, Grams and Gramps Bullough took the girls and me to a pumpkin patch out north. It was a glorious honey-lit day filled with slides, bounce-arounds, kettle corn, a corn maze, a cow train, a wagon ride and of course pumpkin picking.

According to Millie

2008-10-17T12:42:00.001-07:00

Regarding the spooooky cave that Grandpa Bullough made in his basement for the kids last weekend: "That was the best surpise ever!"

My sister had the presence of mind to bring her camera to the party so to see the kids in their Halloween costumes go here:

http://happyheberhicks.blogspot.com/

Thanks for documenting that one, sis.

Last Week At Gardner Village

2008-10-16T13:12:00.001-07:00

Loose Toof

2008-10-13T09:38:00.000-07:00

We're loosing our teeth over here. Or, at least Millie is. Tooth #1 was lost about 2 weeks ago. It hung on for dear life all sideways and jauntily askew for days and days. In an attempt to convince Millie to take matters into her own hands and pull the dang thing out her Uncle Shawn asked the following question: "What if you really loose the tooth?" As in it falls out and you can't find it. Will the Tooth Fairy still come?" Without a moments hesitation Millie replied: "When I have sweet dreams I smile in my sleep and the Tooth Fairy will see my gap." I don't know where she comes up with this stuff, but it's certainly a compelling argument. Later that night Jason helped that tooth wiggle right out of her mouth.

Tooth #2 was lost last week. Millie was VERY brave and pulled it out herself.

We're Here!

2008-10-08T14:07:00.000-07:00

I've got photos and thoughts that deserve posting, but they will have to wait until this stupid stomach bug works it way through us. Fun stuff. Wanna come over?

Candle Huffer

2008-09-25T19:19:00.000-07:00

So Laney has been driving me a little crazy lately. She has been nutty about wanting to smell all of the candles we have in the house and there are many, not like my-house-is-a-Pottery Barn-many, but many nonetheless. She wants to carry them around and take them with her when we run errands. I'm fine with her smelling them, but I don't want her carrying them around since they:

1. Are in glass containers
2. Are heavy
3. Can smash her toes if she drops them

I've been letting her smell them when we're in the house and I'm supervising her. As I watch her try to cram her entire face into the top of the candle, I am reminded of when I was pregnant with Millie and the smell of meat was enough to send me wretching into the bathroom. If Jason wanted to eat meat he had to cook it himself. Outside. While I stayed as far away from him as possible hunched over a candle huffing away at it like some desperate teenager with a paper bag full of glue. It was the only way to keep the smell of that damn meat from tainting my delicate nostrils. Those were the days.

Artist

2008-09-12T15:24:00.001-07:00

Last night over dinner we were discussing Millie's excitement over it being her turn to have the class Sharing Time Bag. She decided the item she wanted to share with her class was her Bee Diary, a notebook with bees on the cover. She ran and got it and then proceeded to show us page after page of her drawings and writing. We had to guess what each drawing was.

She showed us one in particular that, to me, looked like a striped soap dispenser. To be generous I guessed it was a zebra (nope) and then a penguin (again no). Finally we convinced her she should tell us what it was because really, the guessing could go on forever. I mean, one of the previous drawings was a rain dance, so you see how obscure it could be. Somewhat exasperatedly she proclaimed, "It's a candy cane duck! It has mint and meat!"

We Have Fish!

2008-09-06T09:54:00.001-07:00

A couple weeks ago J was in Alaska with his dad for a testosterone-injected fishing trip. We have lots of halibut and some salmon, so come over for a fish fry.

Soopa!

2008-09-06T09:30:00.000-07:00

Right now Laney is waving around 2 rulers in front of her face and singing, "Soopa Duuuurrrrl! (Super girl, I think.) On Duuurrrl she crosses the rulers and nods her head yes once. Oh, and guys, she just saved a teddy bear.

Kindergarten

2008-09-03T20:17:00.000-07:00

Millie's first day of kindergarten was yesterday. She's going to Canyon Rim Academy, a charter school. As you can see from the photos above, she must wear a uniform, which is fine with her except that no dresses are allowed and no pink. I guess in her mind the pink backpack helps make up for all the un-pink clothing.

Millie has been writing her name for a long time now, but her e's have always been kind of upside down. After one day of school her e's are perfect. Of course I tried to help her fix them and she's all like, "Mom, stay out of my business." I asked if her teacher helped her fix them and she says she figured it out herself. A pretty productive first day, if you ask me.

When You're Angry and You Know It

2008-08-14T14:27:00.000-07:00

When Laney naps Millie has quiet time. Quiet time = working on an art project while watching a movie. One day last week her movie was over and she asked me for another one. I told her no because she'd had enough TV for one day and she should try to entertain herself in another way. The above picture is what she came up with.

I was folding clothes when all of a sudden I heard a crinkle, crinkle. I looked up and Millie was standing around the corner, just out of sight, waving her angry masterpiece at me. I had to hold back a laugh because, well, it was funny. The good thing is after a minute of waving the picture she started giggling and then we both got to laugh about it together.

Car Conversation

2008-08-05T19:28:00.000-07:00

Picture this: Me, Millie & Laney driving along the 215 on our merry way to playgroup, when suddenly the grey BMW sedan in front of us starts weaving and then braking and accelerating erratically. The following conversation ensues:

Me: (to the BMW) What are you doing!!???

BMW: No answer.

Millie: Mom, who are you talking to?

Me: The bad driver in front of us!

Millie: Why?

Me: Because she's text messaging when she should be driving. She's driving like a moron!

BMW: (weave. weave. weave. brake)

Millie: Oh. That reminds me of something.

Me: What does it remind you of?

Millie: Well, Spongebob? He's a really bad driver! He has *bad* boating skills.

(really, she said that)

Laney: Spunbob.

Me: (still watching the dumb text messaging girl weaving about, but from a safer distance. Glad to have a new topic of conversation so I can avoid yelling profanities at said BMW)
What makes Spongebob a bad driver?

Laney: (sees a crane) and yells WA-GOON! (for some reason she associates cranes with Lagoon amusement park)

Millie: (doesn't skip a beat) Sometimes? He drives with his foot while he reads the newspaper and drinks coffee. And that's Not. Doing. The Law!

Me: Your right! That's not doing the law.

Laney: I wike Doobie. (Doobie is how Laney says Oobie, the bare-hand puppet on Noggin.)

Millie: (annoyed) Laney! We are not talking about Oobie right now! We are talking about Spongebob!

Laney: Spunbob. Oooo-tay.

Laney in a tutu with a cameo by Millie

2008-07-22T17:00:00.000-07:00

Other Stuff

2008-07-22T13:24:00.000-07:00

Fairy wings!

First Haircut

Friends!

More face painting

2!

2008-07-22T12:35:00.000-07:00

Laney's 2nd birthday was last Friday. We celebrated with a family BBQ on Sunday. What, might you ask was her favorite gift? A toothbrush. A toothbrush that wasn't even meant for her. As the photos attest, we had a little trouble getting her to put it down long enough to open her real gifts.

You know what I love?

2008-07-01T13:54:00.001-07:00

I love how in love with their bodies my girls are. As far as they are concerned their bodies are absolutely perfect (they are!) and there is nothing they cannot do. We've been playing in the sprinklers and you should see the jumping and squealing and booty shaking that happens when their little bodies get in the water. It's pure magic. I dread the day they become critical of themselves and until then I'm going to relish this flawless time.

Summer School

2008-06-27T19:10:00.000-07:00

This week has been busy. Millie is in a summer preschool program M-F mornings. Right now she is learning about the solar system and has been brimming with facts. For example:

Millie: Mom, did you know that the sun has sunspots and it's really just a GREAT big star?

Me: (playing dumb) No! Really?

Millie: Yep. And mom, Pluto is no longer a planet, but we're going to learn it anyway.

Me: Poor Pluto, it must be hard not to be a planet any more.

Millie: Mom, Pluto doesn't have feelings. It's just a big rock.

While Millie is in school Laney and I are doing a music class and and a play class at Gymboree twice a week. This has become yet another avenue for Laney to express her not-at-all shy self. Her first music class she was shakin' it in the middle of the circle while all the other kids sat on their adults' laps. Then she went around from kid to kid and got right up in their grills to say "Heh-woe, hi!" while waving her hand about 1 inch away from their noses.

Our Weekend Was...

2008-06-17T20:49:00.000-07:00

Fantastic! Really, really fantastic. But not in a we did ton and tons of amazing things kind of way. More in a we hung out together and did a couple things and hung out some more kind of way. What did we do, you ask? Well, Friday night we met up with the McDonough/Fisher clan for some birthday/Father's Day celebrating at Settebello. We had some mighty fine pizza and rather expensive but good gelato.

Saturday was the R&O summer swim party and it was great. Millie is getting more comfortable in the water and Laney is too comfortable. By too comfortable I mean she is constantly submerging herself and then sputtering and submerging herself again. It is her way and we just go with it. We took the girls down the big water slide and according to Millie mommy goes way faster than daddy. Mommy rocks! We ate some fried chicken and watermelon (Stop it! You know who you are and you know what I mean!) We watched the ice cream dudes make ice cream and we ate it too. It was good and liquid nitrogen is way cool! (No pun intended)

Sunday we went out for brunch. While Laney took a much needed nap Millie and J planted some flowers in the backyard. We puttered around and puttered some more.

All in all, a fantastic weekend. (I know it's already the middle of the week and late to be posting about the weekend, but at least I'm posting.)

Busy, Happy Us.

2008-06-03T19:58:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo summary of what we've been up to in the weeks following Europe and The Rogue Beagle Event: 1st dance recital

Being fearless!

All that fearlessness deserves some orange soda.

Ridin' the Bee train at the game

Face painting!

Bubbles!

Watching the world go by.

A little yard work

Us In Europe With Sunglasses!

2008-06-03T19:12:00.000-07:00

My Love, & Me in Paris! The Seine!

More us. More Paris.

Barcelona, Sagrada Familia. And yes, sunglasses.

Great News!

2008-05-20T17:14:00.001-07:00

I mean truly stupendous news: Parsley is home safe and sound and my faith in humanity is restored. P-Dog was missing for 8 days. We did everything we could think of doing to find her, including enlisting the services of the good folks at findtoto.com (check out their website for more info). Late this morning I got a phone call from a Spanish speaking lady who had her 4 year old son interpret for her. Parsley wandered into her yard on 1300 S 700 W, about 2.5 miles from home. The wonderful lady called our number on P-Dog's tags. About 20 minutes later we were joyfully reunited. P-Dog is tired and she has lost about 5 pounds and did I mention she's tired? We took her to the vet this afternoon to have her checked out and she's fine. Right now I really wish she could tell us about her adventures on the west side while I pet her belly. But I'll settle for just petting her belly.

Missing!

2008-05-12T16:07:00.000-07:00

Friends, we are back from Europe and will post on that later. Right now there are more pressing issues. Parsley is missing. The gate blew open in the wind last night and she took her beagle nose exploring. I'm trying not to panic (too late) trying not to cry (also too late) and trying to be optimistic for the girls (I think I'm doing a good job here). Parsley! We miss you! Come home!

Photos! And a video!!

2008-04-23T14:36:00.000-07:00

Admittedly, I am not the best photographer. My subjects, however, are magnificent! Also, check out my girls' first video ever to grace the internet. (Hope it works..)

Good Night Moon in the laundry basket

Outside in blue

Squinting in the sun

Millie's 1st Mis-sung Lyrics

2008-04-21T20:11:00.000-07:00

Ring around the rosies
Pocket full of frozies
Hashes hashes
We all fall down

Scattered Thoughts

2008-04-15T15:51:00.000-07:00

Sometimes Millie comes up with new words or new definitions of words that already exist. Here is her latest:

Cutey Boop- A baby who is as fluffy as a cloud and really sweet as candy. Like Laney.

Laney is working hard on her jumping skills. Anything remotely exciting is received with a big YAY! and then a 1 millimeter off the floor jump. Exciting things= a piece of candy, going outside, going to the park, seeing the dog, picking Millie up from school, daddy coming home. You get the idea...

The weather this past weekend was great. We spent some time at the park and discovered that Millie has mad soccer skillz. Jason took her to the store to pick out a soccer ball. Of course she chose the shinest pinkest ball she could find. After she's done playing with it she gives it a bath in the sink so it will stay shiney and pink. Then she wraps in in a blanket so it won't be cold.

Yesterday it was 80 degrees outside. Today it's snowing. Is it just me, or does this seem a little extreme?

Logic

2008-04-04T13:46:00.000-07:00

Said Millie: "I wish I could take off my old head and grow a new one and then look at the old head with my new head and see the macaroni and cheese on my face."

...Ummm, yeah. Or you could just look in the mirror.

Trouble.

2008-03-29T17:36:00.000-07:00

I had to call Poison Control twice a week ago. You see, first Laney decided drink liquid laundry detergent and a few days later it was toilet bowl cleaner. She's fine! The people at Poison Control are competent and great and they didn't call child protective services on me. (Whew!) Both times they told me to get her to drink something and to watch her for stomach-upset, which she never got. They even called back to check on her and when they could hear her running around like a little nut in the background they laughed and said it sounds like I've got my hands full. And folks, I do! It's not like we keep household cleaners laying around the house. In fact both times I was in the room with her when it happened. She's sooo fast.

With the laundry detergent I was doing laundry and she was toddling around and chirping away. I dumped the detergent in the washer and next thing I knew she was gagging on the remnants of detergent left in the cup. But did I learn anything from this experience? Like, say, put the kid in her crib while working with dangerous household products she might possibly try to consume? Apparently not because the toilet bowl cleaner incident was basically an exact replica of the detergent incident. I was cleaning the toilet with her in the bathroom and the next thing I know she was trying to chug the toilet bowl cleaner. Did I mention this kid is fast?! She nearly bounds from one dangerous situation to another. Rest assured I've learning my lesson and I'll put her in her crib when I'm doing laundry or cleaning the toilet no matter how much she screams.

Overheard

2008-03-20T13:02:00.000-07:00

Millie, whispering loudly to her new friend,

"Watch out for my little sister! She has very sharp teeth!"

Storytime

2008-03-14T18:50:00.000-07:00

Jason and his girls reading before bed under Millie's canopy. There is a 3 book maximum and if something long like Eloise is chosen the max drops to 1. We love Eloise! It just takes rawther a long time to thoroughly enjoy her and you cawn't cawn't cawn't skip anything, thank you very much.

4 Trips to the Emergency Room & Some Other Stuff Too

2008-03-08T12:26:00.000-08:00

Kind of an ominous title, no? It's hard to know where to start so I guess I'll start with part 2 of Millie's birthday celebration. I woke up early the day of her play group party feeling...icky. There was puking and an unsettled feeling and just when I was thinking about trying to cancel the party or calling Jason to run the party without me (he was more than willing, by the way)I began to feel...better. So the kids came and the moms came and there was some very bad mushy pasta for lunch (sorry about that!), a lot of noise, a little crying, a couple fits, some blood, a pinata, presents, cupcakes, a turd on the floor and then everyone was gone. I began to feel achy. Laney and Millie had quiet time while I napped and felt a little guilty about the possibility of having exposed all of our playgroup friends to a stomach bug. But hell, I got through it! Right? Not quite.

Jason came home from work to find me in bed and he began tackling the party mess. Later I joined him at the dinner table and that's when I noticed his hand. His Very Angry Red and Swollen Hand. A couple of days prior he had been to the dermatologist to have some moluscum (wart-like thingies) burnt off his hand. Now his hand is huge and I can see red streaks snaking up his forearm. I start freaking out because that's one of my super powers and he calmly tells me he's already called a nurse and she suggested Neosporin and a vinegar and water soak, but that was before the reds streaks. So I nag and cajole (another super power) and manage to convince him to go to the Emergency Room (trip 1, if you're counting) and it turns out he has cellulitis. He gets IV antibiotics and some oral antibiotics and comes home. I am relieved, but still feeling crappy myself.

Thursday morning I wake up and I feel icky again. My mom comes over to watch my girls while I thrash about in bed and get up to puke and then thrash about some more. Late that afternoon I decide I need a trip to the ER so Jason comes home from work and we proceed with trip #2. My mom takes my girls home with her.

In the ER they are not sure what to make of me. I have pain all over my abdomen and I'm vomiting. A CAT scan is discussed and then abandoned because it's obvious I will not be able to keep down the thick white berry flavored beverage I'd need to drink. They give me anti-nausea drugs, fluids and pain meds. I feel somewhat better. I'm sent home with instructions to return if the pain in my stomach gets worse.

Friday I wake up and the pain has moved lower in my abdomen it comes and goes and I assume I'm getting better. Later that day I have Very Bad Pain and decide another trip to the ER (#3) is in order. Friend Tim (thank you Tim) picks me up and takes me to the ER and watches me thrash about and try to joke while we wait for Jason to get there and for the docs do something or decide something or test something. This time I get to drink the evil thick white berry flavored beverage. According to Jason I am mean and scary to a couple of nurses. If I was I'm sure they deserved it for making me drink that stuff and for letting me writhe around in pain and not pumping me full of pain meds from the get-go.

The CAT scan sucks! I have to hold my breath with my arms above me head and stay still when all of my instincts are telling me to get on my hands and knees in cat pose. I make it through the scan and they wheel me back to Jason to wait for the results. The ER doc tells me the radiologist is very excited about my scan because while he's heard about this he's never seen this condition. It turns out I have air in my appendix. All right! Air in my appendix! Now what? The on-call surgeon comes and looks at my scan and he is not as impressed. He decides I should be observed overnight and perhaps I will have an appendectomy the next day. Oh, and by the way, my appendix is not in the usual place, which makes it kind of hard to see exactly what's going on.

First thing in the morning the surgeon comes in my room to poke and prod my belly. Apparently he is now impressed because about a 1/2 hour later I have an appendectomy. I wake up to find that my appendix ruptured (grrrr) and I have a rubber grenade hanging out of my right side to enable the docs to see whether there is infection draining out of my body. The fluid that accumulates in the drain is the color of ruby red grapefruit juice, which, lucky for me, happens to be one of the beverages served to me during my hospital stay. I didn't drink it but Jason did. Ewww, J, you're gross!

I'm released from the hospital on Monday, which is a relief because I'm a bad patient. I hate the soul sucking hospital beds of death and the sound of the IV pump. I hate having nurses and nurses aids checking my vitals and asking me about BMs. I feel like I will recover better at home while my mom and Jason's mom care for my girls. I have an arsenal of oral antibiotics to take and at first things are fine. Then I start getting sick again and again and again. I end up back in the ER (trip #4). My surgeon meets us there and watches me puke and decides IV antibiotics are the only way to go. He schedules me as an outpatient in the IV clinic and I go once a day for the next 3 days to get souped up and hydrated. During one of my visits I experience the humiliation of sitting on the toilet to blow it out my ass while puking into a garbage can as a sympathetic nurse clucks over me. Good times! Sorry no photos.

Now the IV antibiotics are done and my grenade/drain has been pulled from my side. I feel much better. Weak and tired, but much better. And lucky! Lucky to be alive.Lucky to be feeling better. Lucky to be sitting here at my computer listening to Laney fussing upstairs. Most of all, lucky to have such an extensive and amazing network of friends and family who helped take care of me and my family during the the Great Appendix Scare of 2008. Thank you family! Thank you friends! And especially, thank you Jason.

Birthday Par-tay

2008-02-25T08:43:00.000-08:00

Part one of Millie's birthday celebration is complete. Her birthday isn't until Wed., but we had a family celebration yesterday. I think it's safe to say her favorite gift is a Barbie scooter in the color, you guessed it, pink. She spent the morning rolling around the house singing, "I am scootering on my scooter!" over and over again. Her Mariposa barbie is also a big hit along with her pink glitter shoes.

Speaking of glitter, my house is full of it. Does anyone else have this problem? I mean the stuff has even made it into my undies drawer. How does it do that??

You may be asking yourself what does Laney think of all this birthday madness? Well, she's pretty certain she needs a scooter now too. She's only 19 months old but in her mind she's at least 5. Or maybe 21. Sometimes it's hard to tell. She's fearless! She spent yesterday evening chasing after Millie because she wanted a turn on the scooter. We propped her up on it and wheeled her around the house. She even tried to push herself a little with her pudgy little legs. The girl's got pretty good balance for someone who still lurches around headfirst when she walks.

The rock star award for yesterday's celebration has to go to my sis Janelle and her gang for attempting to make it to the party and getting stuck on I-80 for something like 3 hours because the canyon was closed. Imagine being stuck as in a car with 3 kids whose only wish is to have a slice of birthday cake and they know they are not going to get it because the damn canyon is closed. I salute you Hicken family!

First Time Blogger

2008-02-22T19:55:00.000-08:00

Alright already! Sheesh! Most of you have given us a window into your lives via your blogs so now we are returning the favor. And by we I mean me, Jenny. We'll see how this goes. The template I chose is very pink and I apologize for that. I mean, I like pink and everything, but I don't know about that much pink. My nearly 5-year-old, however, LOVES pink because it is her favorite and her best. I dedicate this first post to her in all its pink glory. So deal with it, dear readers, (all 3 of you) for awhile anyway.