Yessss

So I just got the 2-weeks-ago news that Fallon is replacing Conan some time next year. I've always believed Jimmy Fallon would be one of the only celebrities worth spending a day with. It would be like hanging out with another version of my brother Cameron; I think that's why I am so in love with his comedy. Anyway, in the celeb world he wins the gold comedy medal. Silver goes to a tie between Conan and Dave. Bronze to Chris Rock. I'm ecstatic; this is going to be awesome!



I watched a blip of his press conference and he said that he was voted most likely to replace Letterman when he was in fifth grade or something like that but that his principal was Nostradamus. He's going to create an 8th hour of the Today show hosted by a unicorn...

The world needs Jimmy Fallon right now. Perfect timing!

Chores

Thanks for doing your chores, guys. (Promise we didn't teach Croz to flip the bird... coincidence!)

Okay. I am not going to hide the fact that we purchased an Oreck. I will admit that, financially speaking, we probably shouldn't have. I remember buying our Accord and it was one of those classic scenarios: newly married couple needs first car, goes out to JUST LOOK, leaves with a new car. I remember that day I cried all the way home as we drove our lovely Honda further and further away from the lot. What did we just do?! was the feeling of the day.

Well... on a smaller scale, same feeling with the Oreck. However. We felt very right about it and felt that it would be an investment that we'd smile upon once we hit our 21st free yearly vacuum evaluation that came with the deal. We said to each other, "We'll be almost 50 years old! Can't afford not to!" Plus we figured since we are living in Fay's house it would be a way of keeping her carpet in sparkling clean condition.



Clean is an understatement. We have a love affair with this vacuum. Yes it was expensive and yes we felt VERY guilty buying it because we try to be so careful with our money, but... IT GETS THINGS SO CLEAN! And with Crosby soon to be roaming who knows where on the floor... yet another reason to enjoy our state-of-the-art appliance. Bashful as we are, I thought why not share the Oreck love and tell others of it? If anyone out there is contemplating buying a new vacuum, DO THE ORECK... every time I smell the vanilla-roma as I walk... no, dance... from room to room and feel the smoothiness of amazingly clean carpet under my bare feet instead of sticky crumbly carpet I thank the heavens for this vacuum, it is like our second child, can you tell?

Oh, and if you bring in your old vacuum they give you a hefty credit.



So D tried the Bjorn and loves it. Yet another quality investment. Croz loves vacuuming, who knew?

Happy Memorial Day weekend, love you all!

The Man of Many Faces

Curious



Perplexed



Territorial



Elated



Pensive



Well, everybody warned me. I've heard it from countless Moms, even strangers at Old Navy: "Aww. You enjoy him while he's little. They grow up really fast." To be honest, during Croz's first weeks, I wanted him to grow up, grow up, grow up. Grow up so I can talk to you, grow up so you can laugh... he's already starting to do these things! I can't even BELIEVE this. It really is happening so rapidly and although it is partly sad to see it happen, it is mostly fantastic. I love watching him change. This baby is such a delight and I even miss him while he is sleeping. Most of the time (:

My dear friend Jessie and I have been friends since '95. That's going on 15 years, folks! Jess and I have a friendship made of gold. You know you have a best friend when you can do anything together and it turns out to be loads of fun. We could be swimming in a horrific mess of garbage in a sewer or something and come out saying, "That rocked, we're awesome, let's do that again!" Anyway, I'm sure you get the point.

From goofing off in high school...



To globetrotting galore...



Jess and I are two peas in a pod. I'd like to think I would have developed the itch to travel on my own, but I believe Jessie encouraged me to scratch that itch earlier than I knew I had it. We have been so many places together! I was thinking about how we always have found a way to meet up wherever we may be in the world and share in what the other is experiencing. When she was at school in Pacific U in Oregon, I went to check out her campus life. She ended up studying German in Austria so we were able to meet in Madrid and backpack Europe. Then I studied French in Switzerland and she met me in Neuchatel to check out the Swiss way of living. When I got married on a random Wednesday in October, guess what?



Jess made it somehow! A couple of summers ago Jess was in Guatemala learning Spanish and on some miracle I made it there to enjoy the gorgeous country and meander her stomping grounds. I want to thank Jessie for being an outstanding friend. And thanks for being present at my life events. With a baby being my latest life event going down, Jess came out for over a week to visit! She definitely witnessed that having a baby is not only just a life event... it is an event which has flipped my life over, around, upside down.



Now that Jessie has left she is of course off on her next adventure: India. I know it is one of her dreams finally coming true and I am so thrilled that she gets to partake of yet another new section of the world. The question is: Will I be able to meet up with her in India? Hmmm. The odds are looking grim, but pictures will suffice for Croz and me. Although... you never know. Thank you again Jess for taking time out of your busy life to spend it with Crosby and me (and D). We love you!

Chick Magnet

Happy Mother's Day!

First I must take a moment to say to my own mother how forever grateful I am for her and her love, guidance, patience, and beautiful spirit. I couldn't dream up a mom like her. She embodies it ALL. Mom I love you so very much!

I scoured the photo albums up at home and... where was my mom all of those years? Behind the camera, I guess. So I only found one with only us and Mom. My hair apparatus... let's just say they don't sell those anymore.



I wish a very Happy Mother's Day to all mothers! I've been reading a book by Lisa Groen Braner and liked this excerpt:

"In truth, motherhood is largely invisible. It requires more than vacuuming. We can't evaluate our performance by counting how many times we've changed a diaper or wiped a nose. Our work includes those things, but it's fueled by a richer motivation to nurture, guide, and love. A good day might include a clean home, but it always involves connecting with our children. On those days I feel full, satiated by the work of caring and giving. I fall into bed with a gratifying fatigue that comes only after putting in a good day's work. When my daughter smiled after rolling over for the first time, I knew my work was simply to witness her pride. When my son marvels at the crunch of autumn under his feet, I know that there's nothing more important than our walk in the woods. These activities are impossible to pin down to a date on the calendar. I'm not sure that I'd want my life to be that predictable anyway. Becoming a mother requires you to throw away the desire to plan and control. The sweetest aspects of motherhood are the immeasurable ones - gauged only by one's heart."

Immunizations... or iMEANizations :(

Friday Crosby had his two-month checkup and everything went well. D and I had all of our questions answered... the congestion Crosby's had since birth is most likely an environmental thing. Doc said that it is fairly common in infants due to Utah's dry climate; some kids don't adapt to it for some time. Also he still has a small airway which contributes to the wheeziness at times. Long as he is sleeping and eating without being disturbed by it... so that put some worries to rest although I still feel bad for Croz! It's just hard to listen to. He's fine though and it doesn't bother him. His weight was in the 37th percentile and his height was in the 95th. We've been trying to wish a gut on this kid for weeks, but no luck yet. The pediatrician said he will be a "mean, lean fighting machine."

Here he is before the dreaded shots. Yes, he crosses his eyes on demand!



I think this is our second family photo ever! You look out the window and there's this beautiful view of the capitol building hovering above the spring trees. Crosby was so happy and he was smiling and talking to us and mellow. Too bad his good spirits didn't last long :(



The nurse gave those shots so quickly and I think Croz was more brave than me... it is the WORST thing ever to watch him get hurt but he let out maybe three screams and then was completely calm. He was SOOO sweet. I think it might be because he could see the Bugs Bunny Band-Aids. Sweet Crosby, thanks for being brave!

Please... Sleep

At least I thought he was wonder-baby and the shots were no sweat. Soon as we got him home, all hell broke loose. Our poor baby guy's cry was probably heard miles away... it took a LOT of patience on both of our parts but we made it through the night eventually. One cute thing: Crosby loves to be softly sung to and I was singing to him after he had been crying SO HARD and he began to fall asleep yet still kept his mouth open with this angry, sad, traumatized shape to it kind of like this but with his eyes closed.



This is when I DO NOT feel guilty for being in my pajamas until 3 pm... can't get the little munster to sleep! Going, going...



... and finally... GONE



I haven't even been putting him in his crib because even the slightest movement will wake him up and I know he is hurting. We've had him sleep in his swing... the motion is the only solution. Thank goodness there's something that will work for him I just want him to be comfortable!

P. S.

Thanks to the Jazz for getting my mind off of how bad I felt for Crosby... I was feeling REALLY bad for those Jazz during the last jaw-clenching three minutes of their game last night. Ah, the turnovers! The couch I was sitting in has a hole in it now... I was burning anxiety like never before. Need I mention... where would they be without Boozer?

Whew. A close one.

GO JAZZ!

P. P. S.

Today is Bono's birthday.

I love Bono.

There are many modern-day geniuses and unfortunately not all of their voices are heard. Once in a while the timing is right, and that is what happened to Paul Hewson (Bono's real name). Not only has the timing been right for the world to embrace U2's music but U2 (esp. Bono) have used their mega-fame for good and put some kind of a dent in the suffering of this world, namely Africa and the aids epidemic. I'm all for each individual making a difference but we really could use more celebrities to help out by using their powers monetarily and otherwise.

Anyway, Happy Birthday to Bono.

Ergggg...

Anyone have a magical solution to swollen feet? I know all of you women out there have got to have an opinion or experience to help me out here. Throughout my pregnancy I had swelling off and on and it hit some points of being fairly severe but would usually last a day or so. Any of you heard of having tight, swollen lower legs, ankles, and feet AFTER having the baby? Honestly it is so horrible and after having a baby you already don't feel your normal self but this triples that whole feeling. Do I really have to face that I'll never "feel myself" again?! I know the answer is yes, but I at least want my feet and ankles back, please!! The doc said it might last a month, maybe two. We're approaching the 3-month mark here though.

These are NOT my feet, but I thought that in order to create a visual you needed to see a case of this swelling. My feet are swollen every single day and they are even sore to walk on when it's at its worst. I've tried drinking LOTS of water, Diet Dr. Pepper, elevation. If I took a picture of my own feet I might blind the viewers of this blog!



Any suggestions anyone? Because I am about to purchase some water pills and overdose on them.

HELP!

Weekend Groovin'

Grandpa and Crosby logged some bonding time, done best on a warm Sunday afternoon...





Dad and Croz... who's rocking who to sleep?