GERMS rant.

I've been trying to "catch up" for several weeks now, and have realized that if I keep putting things on the back burner they will eventually go up in flames and be forgotten.  SO, I am starting to blog again about our daily/weekly life here in Saudi.  In between it all - God willing I get a chance - I will post about Halloween, our trip to Thailand, Thanksgiving, and other fun stuff that has been going on. 

In the meantime - things here are going pretty great considering a few unfortunate life lessons.  Our computer, with all our pictures on it, crashed yesterday.  Thankfully I am married to a computer genius who is getting it taken care of... but he only has so much time in the day. So posting pictures are on hold - again.

We've also been in and out of sickness in our house.  Paul got it the worst this time around.  A nasty bug was brought back with Madeline from our trip toThailand and she passed it around the family.  I - fortunately - did not get the puke/poop portion of the bug, so I was able to take care of everyone else. 

Paul started with a cold in Thailand and held onto it for quite a while.  The cold slowly went away, but he also slowly lost his hearing.  We were screaming at him like he was 95 - I didn't know whether to laugh or cry because hearing loss is a pretty scary thing.  After two clinic visits and some stern attitude and pushiness, Paul was able to get into an ENT doctor (BEFORE April when they wanted to schedule him - grrrrr) and the doc said he probably (probably?) had some inner ear fluid and prescribed him some prednisone and antibiotics. 

At this point, his hearing is slowing returning.  He said the ringing has subsided, and he is about half way through his meds. 

Now... to STAY Healthy is the goal.  Apparently this compound is a simmering germfest.  Everyone around here is sick.  We're not the only ones dealing with this.  So I am doing EVERYTHING I can to keep me and my family well.  Maybe I am being a little extreme, but it just takes one touch! One cough or sneeze.  One kid or adult who chooses not to wash their hands and then touches my baby's face... iiicccckkkk! Nursing school - I believe - made me a more "aware" person.  I wouldn't call myself a germaphobe... bacteria and fungi play a very important role in our survival and there are some good ones out there, but there are also some stinky, disgusting, ruin your month ones too. 

One thing I find hilarious is that a lot of the people around here, all of the cleaning help in fact, believe that any sore throat or cough is due to a change in the weather.  If it's rainy out? That's why they have a sore throat. Germs have NOTHING to do with it apparently.  So my helper comes to the house without a voice and pleads with me to stay because she is "fine" and then we get sick.  I have to put my foot down... in front of the door so no one can get in, bleach spray in one hand, vitamin C and zinc in the other.  Hiss! Hiss!! Get back you evil sickness!! 

Abigail has some very neon green boogies and a raspy voice lately, but that is all.  She must have something, but she is eating and sleeping well so I am hoping she will kick it.  Mads - attends a preschool full of sweet, germy children whose parents have different ideas of when a child should stay home.  Then, when the kids DO get sick they laugh and brush it off whilst saying, "oh well, at least it builds up their immune system right? nyeh nyeh nyeh blah blah BLAH!!" So HOPEFULLY she will touch the right toys and run when kids sneeze.  That's what I tell her, "RUN Madeline, RUN if a kid starts to cough or sneeze, you hear me?  RUN!!!"

They're Baaaack.

It was so nice not seeing a spider since it has been cold these past few months, but it warmed up this past weekend and I saw three of four spiders on our garbage can. Today I was getting ready and as I went to pick up one of my towels off of the floor this HUGE spider comes running out from underneath it. I hurried and picked Madeline up and put her on the bed, and I went to get Kitty, hoping she would take care of the situation.

I bring her into the room and she doesn't even TRY to get it, she bolts into the corner of the room and hides behind the nightstand. Kitty has been quite the wimp lately - whenever someone comes to the door she runs underneath Madeline's crib... I am seriously considering removing her "bug patrol" and "guard duty" status from her list of lifetime career paths, and replacing them with "scaredy-cat" and "cuddler".

I Want My Life Back

I just spent a good 10 minutes staring at facebook. I learned nothing from it. I gained nothing from it. I was annoyed several times at farmville and sorority life posts and do I really need to know that a girl I knew in high school and haven't spoken to in 15 years just made herself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Is it really important that I take that quiz about whether or not my choice of shirt color determines if I am sexy or not?

Is there something missing in my life that makes it so I spend so much time looking at the same homepage of facebook over and over, refreshing it and checking my profile and then refreshing it again, hoping for something, anything, to make the day a little better? Looking at my life and all of the wonderful people I know and the wonderful opportunities I have, I wouldn't imagine so.

When did I become one of those people? Where it was important for me to get 205 friends on facebook. I remember the day I broke 200... it was like I had just received the Medal of Honor. I almost made myself a certificate of completion and hung it on the wall, I was so excited.

When is it bad?

It's bad when you start wondering if that girl at the register at the grocery store you go to once a week, the one who always waves at and talks to your daughter, Gina or Tina something, is on facebook. It's bad when it's the first thing you do in the morning - check facebook - even before your morning pee. It's bad when your living room is piled up with laundry that needs to be folded and your sweet little girl is crying at your feet because she wants your attention, but you have to refresh facebook just one more time. It's bad when in the middle of posting this blog post - I stop to check and see if there is anything new on facebook.

It's nice and all because everyone and their mother and their dog and their mother's dog is on there... so if you wanted to make an announcement or find a long lost person you probably could do it on facebook. But I have crossed over to the inappropriate phase and a change needs to be made.

I don't think I will check facebook again for a while.

Last Thursday

This past Thursday we got to watch our good friend Brooke while her mommy took care of some things. We love when Brooke comes over. She is such a smart, sweet little girl, and when it comes to building blocks she is very talented and serious...
Brooke needed some quiet while she was designing her futuristic tower for corporate. Madeline was ready for Spring Break.

Madeline was like... "come on Brooke, let's go throw the ball" And Brooke was like, "Could you take the picture already?"

When Brooke's mommy got home we went out in the backyard and threw the ball around for a little while and the girls tested out the swing...
Our cute friends!

Then, while I finished making dinner and Paul layed on the couch not feeling very well(not the best weekend for our guy), Misty entertained the girls with reading books and playing.

There was a moment while I was cooking when Madeline fell over and started crying (this happens a lot) and I went running toward her, like I usually do, but Misty was already next to her helping her up and hugging her and telling her it was okay. Madeline quickly stopped crying and smiled and started playing again. I just sat there for a minute so happy in the realization that I have a true friend here. A true friend who loves my baby and who I can trust.

Misty and her little family have always been there for us and I love them so much. I really cherrish all of the times we have had together. We have experienced a lot of firsts together and shared some very special moments as new mothers and friends. I am so thankful for friends like Misty, Michael, and Brooke.

Last Wednesday

Last Wednesday we had a quick and fun visit from Paul's parents and brother who were in town.

It's always really nice to see and talk to our family (in person), and I am really excited that Madeline is getting more comfortable with people... meaning, it isn't taking as long for her to warm up. Also, I think she recognizes her family when she sees them because I show her pictures all the time.

We miss and love our family!

A New Pretty Thing For Me.

Ever since we've lived in this house I have wanted a pretty something to hang above my sink. The other day I was at the Hobby Lobby (one of my most favorite stores ever) and I found this...



Isn't it pretty? It's actually meant to be out in a garden, but I thought it was so nice for above my sink I got it. It was missing a few flower jewels so I got it half off too!! I was extremely excited. I look at it whenever I pass by my sink and I actually keep the kitchen sink area a bit cleaner now because it looks nicer with my iron butterfly.

Awwwwww

[ Click on picture (above) for the ultimate valentine viewing,

and push play below for the best valentine dance and song in th world... ever.]

Madeline's Monthly Message: Month 17

Dear Madeline,
Seventeen months has now gone by and it feels like you have always been here. I don't remember life without you. I'm sure it will be that way when we have more children too - but just between you and me - I will always remember these times with you. No other child we will ever have will have had the experiences you get to have with us, being our first. I will always remember and cherrish these times... when it's just you and me waking up in the mornings and dancing and singing in our pajamas; when we have breakfast together and clap when you get a whole spoonful of cereal in your mouth ALL. BY. YOURSELF!; when you take a tubby for as long as you want creating works of art on the bathtub walls with your tubby crayons or finally get brave enough and realize you can actually lay on your belly and kick your legs AS WELL AS do it sitting up; when sometimes - it's okay to just read books for 3 hours and take a tubby around 1:00-ish.

You are growing up. You have an opinion about everything and no longer blindly follow direction as a baby would. You're looking more like a little girl. There is still some cherubic angel baby chub there, but it's spreading out as you sprout those long, never stop moving, legs.

You love to play. Your favorite things to do most days are play with your pink ball and your yellow Dora ball. You are very good at throwing and kicking.

You run really fast and enjoy playing peek-a-boo and tag around the house.

You still get into everything. You have your favorite drawers and cupboards because you know what is in them. I finally moved some things around, but you are now getting tall enough that you can get on your tippy-toes and reach INTO drawers. So I need to make some more changes.

You love helping me. You like to sweep and vaccuum and especially do laundry.

I realize this won't last, so I am enjoying it. I will keep praising you as you do it and clapping and telling you how "cool it is to do laundry" until you get smart enough to realize it's work, which will probably be next month at the rate you are going.

You are very loving toward your dolls and stuffed animals.

You sometimes rock your baby doll and raise her high above your head as if you are throwing her in the air like your dad does to you.

You are very good at stacking blocks and rings and putting shaped pieces into containers now. You understand so much. I can ask you any question and you usually understand what I am talking about.

You are talking more, but still refer to most things as "dih or dee". You now say, "Thanks!" whenever we give you something - food, a book, anything really. It's usually whenever we hand you anything. Your dad said thanks to you one day and it caught on.

You're still a picky eater, but I am trying to get you to enjoy fruit smoothies. It's a new thing I have been doing for myself and think may be the only way to get greens into you and your dad. Whenever I have one I give you some with a little spinach or kale blended in it. I still try to offer you beans or broccoli etc. on a regular basis, but you won't have it... yet.

You love to wear your dress shoes.


Every day I let you pick which shoes you will wear for the day and you always pick your red or pink dress shoes.

Some new words/statements:
Whoa! Wow! Oooo! Thanks. Uh-oh. You like to try and pick up kitty a lot. You pull her tail sometimes and hug her to much. Laying on top of her isn't a favorite thing you do so she sometimes will lightly bite you or hiss at you. Most of the time you don't care, but the other day it hurt your feelings and you started chasing her around the house screaming a high-pitched tone. That's how you annoy her... you follow her around the house screaming at her. Through it all, she still loves you and wants to lick your hair and lay by you when you sleep.

We're still nursing. This month I am going to start weaning you, for real. It's time. There was a day this month when I was really tired and you wanted to nurse. So I layed you on my lap, like we usually do, and you started nursing, and then you started doing what you always do - where you stick your foot in my face cause you thinks it's funny if I sniff it and say "eww" and then you get up and start standing, or twisting or going upside down (all while still attached) - and I literally felt like I could stand up and you'd still be attached just spinning and spinning in a circle (like I said, I was tired) but you are getting so big now it's just starting to feel a little unnatural. Don't get me wrong, when you are peaceful and sleepy it's still nice. It still reminds me of when you were an itty bitty baby, but these moments are rare.

I'm learning now that I have to be strong. I always knew we would have a close bond and a good relationship. It's hard to let go of these moments as you change and grow. I guess life really is a series of weanings.

We were getting our taxes done a couple weeks ago and there was a little baby boy sitting on and crawling all over the floor. You were fascinated with him - you love other babies and children - so you went over to him and tried to share your snack with him. He had a snack of his own and wasn't interested. He pushed you and you fell down. The look on your face was a look of utter despair and heartbreak. You couldn't understand why this little person would push you after you offered to share with him and you spent so much time smiling at him.

Why can't we all just get along? I don't know. Why can't people be kind and loving instead of cruel? Is it human nature? Maybe he thought you were trying to take his snack? Maybe he thought you would push him (his mother so desperately apologized and offered excuses like "he has an older brother at home and they push each other all the time blah blah blah")? I don't know... these are the lessons we must learn in this life. How do we deal when people are cruel to us? Do we shut them out and stop communicating? Do we forgive and forget? Do we get even? Do we allow their life situations (such as being a baby) to excuse their behavior? These are decisions we all must make for ourselves.

We hope to teach you forgiveness, patience, understanding, and to look out for yourself and be brave. It's okay to walk away. Don't let people walk all over you and stick up for yourself, but remember to show compassion. This is deep stuff.

You think that if you yell for your dad he will appear. No matter where we are, if you wonder where he is you will start yelling for him. "Daaaaaaaaaaa! Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaadaaaaa!" at the top of your lungs - and you have some awesome lungs. You started yelling for him in the craft store the other day while we were waiting in line to pay for some things. You did it for a good minute or two. I kept saying, "he's at work Mads, he's at work," but no matter, you kept yelling for him.

You love grocery shopping, especially the produce department. Your dad got it in your head that you can pick up your very own fruit or vegetable every time we go. So, I let you do it while grocery shopping the other day and you ate half an apple before we got to the register. I didn't even notice. When I looked up at you and saw you with that big red apple you opened your eyes wide, took a big bite and said, "MMmmm num num." I laughed for a good 5 minutes.

We now know for a surity you are NOT one of those submissive, mild children from dreamland people talk about. When you don't get your way you are a bit whiney and the tantrums are ferocious. You flail your arms and legs about and thrust your head and body to the floor. You scream and cry at the top of your lungs. Sometimes we just sit and watch you and look at each other (me and your dad) like, "what just happened?", and then, if it continues, we gently set you in your crib or in your room until you settle down. I've been trying to talk to you. I believe you are very smart and that you understand me so, with much appreciated advice from my momma, I've been saying something like, "I love you! I can see that you are upset. It's OK to express your feelings. You can be angry in your own room. When you are done I hope you will come and tell me all about it."

I make mistakes. I'm not perfect. Some would say I don't let you console yourself enough. I run to your side too fast when you fall or freak out too noticeably when something bad happens to you... do you notice this? Is that why you are quick to cry? What can I say? I'm a new mom. I'm learning too. Sometimes when you tantrum I lose my temper and I yell. Sometimes I just put you in your room without saying anything. Sometimes, I just ignore your tantrum, and you then run after me and throw yourself on my feet. We're growing and learning together.

I still love you with every fiber of my being... I always will. Even when you are at your worst, I am proud that you are my child.


You love hats

and keys, and Elmo, and ice. You love to brush your teeth. You love to dance and sing and read and run and hold hands and go for walks. You love to exercise with mommy, when I do it.

You love to draw and paint and help mommy with the house. You love to go outside and especially love being with friends.

You are so amazing Madeline and I am so proud of every single little thing you do. Thank you for always reminding me what a gift life is. I love you so much my beloved daughter.

Love,
Momma

Digging For Gold.

While driving in the car the other day I glanced to the passenger side and noticed Paul picking his nose. The following conversation commenced:

Edith: Do you need a tissue?
Paul: Nah, I'm good.
Edith: It sure looks like you're digging for something in there.
Paul: There's nothing there.
Edith: Ya sure? Looked like you might be digging for some gold.
Paul: There is some gold in there.
Edith: Really? Why aren't we using it? We could really use some gold.
Paul: We are. It's my brain. I'm using it to provide for my family and make good decisions.
Edith: Nice. Well, leave that in there.

Who Are You And Where Is Madeline Olivia?

She hadn't had a nap yet and I had just stopped her from eating cat food - yet again. So she decided if she couldn't eat cat food she would rip all the tissue out of the tissue box - yet again. So I stopped that, and she ran over to the drawer in the kitchen - that one drawer she always tries to get into that has birthday candles in it - and she grabbed a handful of candles. So I stopped that and I said, "Madeline! No! Stop it right now!" and she turned and walked into the cupboard and fell on her bottom... that. made. her. MAD. Thus the tantrum began.

My beautiful, sweet, loving, always hugging and kissing her momma, little dolly girl, Madeline, threw the worst tantrum she has ever thrown today. She's thrown many tantrums before, but this one was a doozy! It was like watching an angry hyena get electrocuted while swatting and kicking wildly at bees and screaming a piercing, high-pitched scream that causes blood to leak from your ears.

So I picked her up. Set her in the crib. And left the room. She fell asleep.

Needless to say, we have some good times ahead of us. HA!

The Secret Squeeze

Marriage is fun. Especially when you are married to someone who makes your life a trillion-bazillion percent better. Someone who is loving and handsome and funny and who takes care of you. Part of a fun marriage is having little memories and little inside jokes or secrets you can share.

Sometime in the first part of our marriage there was an evening when Paul and me were laying in bed talking and we came up with, what I thought was, our "secret squeeze". The secret squeeze is a non-verbal way of telling someone you love them. It's simple... squeeze the persons hand three times in a row.

So for almost 8 years now, every once in a while, I will squeeze Paul's hand. He usually squeezes my hand right back three or four times. I always assumed the three squeezes meant "I love you" and the four squeezes meant "I love you too."

I was wrong. We were talking about it the other day and I found out that this whole time Paul had no idea I was telling him that I loved him when I squoze his hand or his arm or his leg. So for 8 years I have been thinking we had this cool little inside thing going on... and we didn't. Well, at least on one side.

So, make sure, if you have any inside jokes with your spouse or boyfriend or friend, that it's not just inside your head. Then, in eight years or so, you won't feel like a total dork.

P.S. Now he knows what it means when I squeeze him. *smile*

Heaven

This must be what heaven is like...

The Meaning of Love – According To Kids

"Love is that first feeling you feel before all the bad stuff gets in the way."

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."

"When someone loves you, the way she says your name is different. You know that your name is safe in her mouth."

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other."

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs."

"Love is when someone hurts you. And you get so mad but you don't yell at him because you know it would hurt his feelings."

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK."

"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My mommy and daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss but they look happy and sometimes they dance in the kitchen while kissing."

"Love is hugging. Love is kissing. Love is saying no."

"When you tell someone something bad about yourself and you're scared she won't love you anymore. But then you get surprised because not only does she still love you, she loves you even more."

"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday."

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they've know each other so well."

"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore."

"Love is-if you hold hands and sit beside each other in the cafeteria. That means you're in love. Otherwise, you can sit across from each other and be okay."

"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night."

"Love is when mommy gives daddy the best piece of chicken."

"Don't feel so bad if you don't have a boyfriend. There's lots of stuff you can do without one."

"Love is when mommy sees daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford."

"If you want somebody to love you, then just be yourself. Some people try to act like somebody else, somebody the boy likes better. I think the boy isn't being very good if he does this to you and you should just find a nicer boy."

"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day"

"When you're born and see your mommy for the first time.

"Love is what makes people hide in the dark corners of movie theaters."

"Love goes on even when you stop breathing and you pick up where you left off when you reach heaven."

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones."

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."

"You have to fall in love before you get married. Then when you're married, you just sit around and read books together."

"I let my big sister pick on me because my Mom says she only picks on me because she loves me. So I pick on my baby sister because I love her."

"Love cards like Valentine's cards say stuff on them that we'd like to say ourselves, but we wouldn't be caught dead saying."

"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you."

"Love is when mommy sees daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross."

"You never have to be lonely. There's always somebody to love, even if it's just a squirrel or a kitten."

"You can break love, but it won't die."

Whistle Activated Madeline Finder

I have always hung stockings up above the fireplace for Christmas. I like how it looks, and when I was little stockings were a really fun part of Christmas. Sort of like an extra little present. It was always so fun to see my name up on a red stocking full of little toys and candy.

For the almost 8 years Paul and me have been married, I don't think I have ever taken the time to fill our stockings. So this year, especially now that we have Madeline, I thought I should make it an important part of our holiday.

I made a special trip to the store just for little mini presents for the stockings. Paul was particularly difficult to shop for, but I eventually came up with some things that I think he really liked (he hasn't used any of them yet)... a stress ball, a leather bookmark with the word "love" printed on it (since he is into reading now), a small book light that he can clip to a book, and I also found some sound activated key finders.

I was really excited about that last one because I lose my keys a lot. Paul never really does because he always puts his keys in the same place when he gets home. But for some reason I can't seem to do that. So I got one for him and I got one for me.

These. Things. Are. SOOO. Annoying.

For the first week or so after Christmas mine wasn't activated, Paul's was. Paul's key finder somehow made its way into the junk drawer in the kitchen.

They are supposed to beep when you whistle. Well, when we whistle, they don't beep.

BUT!!! When Madeline screams, or cries, or laughs, or clinks a pot on the kitchen floor when going through cupboards, or shakes a toy... the things beep like crazy nutty insanity.

For a good two weeks we just let it beep over and over and over until I couldn't handle it anymore.

So I thought I'd give mine a chance and actually put it on my key chain. It beeped every time my keys clanked together while I was driving, whenever they clanked in my purse or pocket, and when the elevator ding went off at work. But when I whistled? Nada.

So I took it off my key chain and hung it on the coat rack for a week or so. The other day I was so sick of the beep that I almost took a hammer to them, but I paid like $5 each for those pieces of crap, so they still reside on the coat rack - just under a bunch of coats so if they do happen to beep we won't hear them.

I guess I should just start putting my keys in the same place, eh? And maybe next year I'll put a little more thought into what I put in our stockings.

What In The World?

I had a dream last night that there was a hole in my chin, and inside this hole was a million tiny little worms. It only opened when I smiled, so I was destined to never smiled again.

Can you say terrifying, disgusting and what in the world?????!!! Ewwww!

The Cute Pink Chair

One thing I wish me and Paul had gotten Madeline for Christmas is her own little chair. We had originally planned on getting her the Elmo says.... spin! chair, but after a trip to the toy store to do some consumer testing before we purchased it, it turned out to be kind of cheap and too low to the ground. So we ended up getting her a couple of other things.

I found this cute pink chair online at Target and I am thinking of trying to talk Paul into maybe getting it for Madeline for Valentines day or something. This is the dilemma: He's not going to be too excited about this because the chair is $120.

I just know she would love it, but then I start thinking things like... "does she really need a chair? If she wants to sit down she can always sit on the floor. Or, maybe she could sit by us on the regular couch with a little help getting up of course."

But how cute would it be to see her sitting in it reading her books or watching her show? It would be ridiculously cute, that's how cute it would be. I don't know, maybe it could be a present for her birthday in September... birthdays hold a bit more validity.

I should probably stop thinking of ways to spend money and try thinking of more ways to save money. Man, sometimes I really dislike common sense a reasoning.

Christmas In NY

It has taken me a while to post this, which is pathetic because it's really not that long of a post, for three reasons:

1. Because both me and Paul didn't have to go back to work until this week so we had a really nice, long vacation of happiness and joy and togetherness. Why would anyone want to take a minute away from that to post a blog? We spent all of our time together having fun as a family so I haven't been on the computer much. Perfect way to start the new year in my opinion!

2. Madeline and me have had a cold since Saturday and THAT, along with my new found goal of exercising everyday, has led to some majoy body aches. [Exercising on hold 'til I can properly breathe.]

3. I only get minutes on the computer lately. This post has been written in chunks. I write when Madeline is napping or I have something that might distract her for two seconds without the house or office looking like a bomb hit it.

So here I am. Finally writing about our vacation. Yay me!

Paul really needed a vacation. He needed to recover and get some sleep. It amazes me how different Paul behaves when he has had some time to relax. He is a much happier mucha-cha. He laughs a lot more... I really like that.

This year during our time off we spent a week in New York over the Christmas holiday. Paul grew up in New York (upstate, not the city... everyone always automatically assumes the city for some reason) and we always have a great time going up there to see family and friends.

The flight there wasn't bad. Madeline behaved and did very well except for like 2 minutes at the end of the first flight (we had a layover in NC), and that was only because her ears were bothering her - totally understandable. Pretty much every flight people were like,


"Ohhhh she is such a good baby. I didn't hear a peep out of her..." etc. etc.

She really is a good child. Sure she has the occassional temper tantrum.

When we got to New York Paul's parents picked us up and we were at his house in no time. Paul's side of the family (not unlike my own) is very family oriented and we saw almost all of them every single day. I really like that about our families. Both of them are like that.

Madeline took a couple days to warm up to everyone, but when she did it was a lot of fun. She immediately loved her cousin Amanda. They had a lot of fun playing ball, laying on the floor, running around like horses, and playing with their new toys. It wasn't long before Madeline was doing her famous "run happily and give you a big hug and kiss" into Amanda's arms. Before this trip this was something she only did to me and her dad.


We spent a day visiting our good friends Jim, his wife Anne, and their daughter Zoe (who Madeline also took a liking to rather quickly) and Frank. For several years now we have sort of had this tradition to meet and have lunch together. It was a lot of fun to see them again. I love how with good friends it never seems like any time has passed.

After Madeline made some lovely gouges in the beautiful wooden table and broke one of the ornaments on the Christmas tree in the restaurant we had met at, we decided it was time to go.

We did some shopping. I love when I go somewhere and everything just falls into place and I find a bunch of things that I like. So yes, I got some very nice things for Christmas and I am very thankful for that.

We also visited with our good friends Seth and Katie and their little one Clare. Clare and Madeline were born about a week apart and it was fun to see them together again. They are both two of the cutest babies in the world.

Christmas was fun. Madeline got some really cool toys that she enjoyed playing with, but when she opened her new edition talking Elmo (this will be here third talking/moving Elmo) nothing else mattered. She carried that thing around with her most of the time after that.

Madeline spent a great deal of time in Grandma Mevec's cabinets that were lined up along the hall. She loves getting in the cupboards here at home so when she discovered those empty cabinets it was as if she had died and gone to heaven. She spent a lot of time in them with her toys, her ball, and her blankie.

The food was, as always, very good, and it shows. Every day and everywhere you looked there was cookies or cakes... holiday food everywhere! Just one look at my rear and it is proof I was well fed - hence the new exercising endeavor.

The week went by so fast it was ridiculous, which is always the case when you don't want it to go by so fast. We had a really good time though, and I was so happy that Madeline got to know some of her family a little bit better. It is always this time of year when we remember how nice it is to be close to family.

I hope they know that we consider them close to us in our hearts and we always try to enjoy every minute we get with them.

I hate how blogger does pictures so my new and easier solution to this is to do pictures slideshows. Everyone else in the world has already figured this out, so it's not like a major breakthrough or anything. Hopefully someday blogger will make it easier to load and manipulate photographs in posts.

Merry Christmas!

This has been one of the most emotional, busy, fast, insane, amazing years of our lives. We are so thankful for our families and friends and for all of the blessings we have. Life is beautiful. Merry Christmas to everyone, and we hope you have a happy and beautiful new year. Here's to 2010!

Love,
Paul, Edith, Madeline and Kitty

Homemade Lasagna

Today I made homemade lasagna for the first time. The lasagna in the picture is not mine, I didn't think to take a picture of it. Technically, the sauce was made by Paul on Sunday, but he is my soulmate, so really since he and I are one in love it's like I made it. Anyway, it was really, really good. Leftover sauce is always better as a leftover - I think - cause it gives the sauce more time to meld all the delectable spices and flavors together. this particular sauce had some ground turkey meatballs in it too so that made it even nummier.

I added a pinch of nutmeg and some egg and parsley to the ricotta cheese - a slight detour from Ma Mevec's recipe, which is always delicious - and it turned out really good too.

I'm tellin' ya, I really like this homemade cooking thing. It is SO much better then buying pre-packaged, boxed crap. Yes, it takes a little more time, but it is worth it if you can manage it.

My next endeavor... My mom's french bread. Then maybe some Folsom hot mustard... Mmm!

Santa Claus Explained.

This morning I made a delectable breakfast. We had egg white omelets with a dash of mild cheddar and some broccoli; some delicious toasted honey 7-grain wheat bread with I Can't Believe!! It's Not Butter on it; water and orange juice; and while we were eating the previously mentioned foods, some warm banana but (oops! hahahaha banana butt), banana NUT muffins were cooking in the oven.

While we were waiting, I decided it was time. I had Madeline's undivided attention, well it was partially divided, but she was in regular eye contact with me, so I began explaining the whole "Santa Claus" thing to her. I told her (in so many words and I quote):

"Christmas time means a lot of things to a lot of different people. Some people celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and the gifts that we sometimes give each other represent God's gift to the world - his only begotten son. It is a time to remember his life and his example. To spread peace and love with song and gift giving. Not that we should not do these things all of the other days of the year, but it is severely advertised around this time of year because December 25th represents Christ's birthday - although they say he was actually born in April... we'll get into that later.

Some people celebrate the season by serving others, being nicer than usual, doing a lot of shopping, eating a lot of naughty foods, and spreading stories of a man who lives in the north pole known as 'Santa' or 'Santa Claus' or 'Saint Nick'.

Most people here in the U.S. do BOTH of these things. Many of the shopping malls and stores and business people out there have taken advantage of this so you may see an advertisement for a Christmas item in August. Christmas is celebrated differently by many different cultures in many different ways. Some people don't celebrate it at all because they have different beliefs about freedom and about religion and God.

Santa Claus is thought to be a man. He is supposedly a really nice guy with rosy cheeks (probably a case of rosacea) and he speaks every language in the world. He's a people person and loves children of all ages. He is old and obese and he always wears a red and white coat with a black belt - a trend setter really, belts are back... sometimes he wears green to throw in some earthy tones. He has white hair that is quite long and curly and a beard and moustache. His stomach is large, often referred to as his "bowl full of jelly" because it jiggles when he laughs (a possible attempt to make a dangerous health situation funny to make himself feel better) so he probably suffers from diabetes and hypertension - he eats a lot of cookies, hot chocolate and candy. His laugh sounds like he is saying "ho ho ho". He has a wife, Angela Marie Claus, who is probably the one who makes him most of these cookies - living vicariously through him possibly?

He is said to reside in the north pole, which is located at the very top of the planet earth, the planet on which we live. He is quite isolated really for being such a people person... hmm. It is very, very cold up there, which is why he always wears this thick red coat with fur around the sleeves, neck, and ankles, and probably why he gets around in a sleigh - is slides nicely on top of the snow and ice. I am pretty sure Santa is rich, because his heating bill must be through the roof!!

Yes, he drives a sleigh. But it is not pulled by snow dogs, like they have in Alaska. It is pulled by reindeer. Magic reindeer. Not the reindeer that people sometimes hunt for food. Strong reindeer - to be able to fly with all those toys and Santa and his sleigh they'd have to be. Their names are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen... and the most famous reindeer of all is Rudolf, who somehow, was born with a red light for a nose that is so bright it can see through any clouds or storms that might disturb Santa's field of vision whilst flying his sleigh. Why he doesn't get the latest technological radar? I do not know.

Santa lives with lots and lots of little people with pointy ears who enjoy wearing shoes with bells on them. These little people are commonly referred to as elves. They have an amazing work ethic and spend most of the year building the latest toys. They get 6 weeks of vacation a year and great medical benefits. People say Santa and his elves are able to make enough toys for all the boys and girls in the entire world - we are talking millions - and he is able to deliver all of these toys on one night, December 24th a.k.a. Christmas Eve.

Basically, Santa has discovered how to travel at the speed of light, but he has to climb down people's chimney's to get inside their houses so he can distribute these toys. If he would just knock on the door I am sure people would let him in, especially after seeing all those toys he has. Or, maybe he could work something out with the parents and get a key to each house. Can you imagine that key ring? Yikes! I know what you are thinking...

"I have a poopy diaper. Will you change it so we can get back to the story?"

And the answer is yes. I know what else you are thinking...

"What about people who don't have chimneys?"

Just know that Santa will find a way to get inside. No matter what kind of house you live in. He can get past any dog, any alarm... he will get inside.

Santa has lists. He's a list man. I like lists. They help me to feel more organized, so I can see where he is going with lists. Two lists mainly - those who were naughty throughout the year and those who were nice. The nice people get presents. The naughty people get nothing or a lump of coal (but you know, coal can be pressed into diamonds so this is not entirely bad). At least, this is what most adults will tell you because they want you to behave and be nice. The truth is, there are some people who are really nice who sometimes don't get a present. Santa isn't perfect. The world isn't perfect. Maybe sometimes elves who might be mad mess with the list. This is where service comes in. Service is a nice thing to do. Helping someone out. Giving a gift to someone who might not be able to afford it. Making a warm meal for someone hungry. It not only makes other people feel good, but it makes you feel good. Feeling happy is a gift in and of itself. We can help other people by sharing our blessings with them.

Sometimes you will see a Santa sitting in a glorious chair in a mall or at some gathering. He will be there specifically to get direct requests from children or just to meet you for the first time (if you are new to the world) and possibly get a picture. The truth is, most of these so-called Santa's are regular people filling in for Santa. They dress up like him, take your requests, and then send them to Santa in an email. Some kids are smarter than others. Some kids will write a letter to Santa directly with a list of their deepest, most coveted desires for the year. I think it's a good idea to include some examples of what you might have done throughout the year that was 'nice'. Also, use a red or green envelope with a Christmassy stamp of some sort, and stickers. This will get you in good with the Clauses.

It is important for you to understand that if you see Santa somewhere, I do not want you to go up to him without mommy or daddy with you. You do not know him personally or any of his helpers, so technically, they are jolly strangers, and we do not talk to strangers. "

At this point I realized my muffins were burning in the oven and we stopped. I am quite irritated that I burnt the muffins, but, I think I was able to educate my daughter on some of the topics of Christmas quite nicely so it the good and bad of the situation even out nicely.