We're fast approaching four years of marriage!
Here are somethings that have surprised me about grownup life:
1. We use way less canned food than I I would have expected. Like, hardly any! Even tomato sauce! Which makes me wonder what exactly it is that I feed my family.
2. I think it's really cute when it's time to brush my teeth and I see that Blake's and my toothbrushes are leaning against each other in the holder-thing.
3. I don't mind picking up Blake's dirty laundry from the floor, but I dislike putting away his clean laundry.
4. I get mad when Blake says something and I can't hear him. This is, of course, ridiculous of me. I also get mad when he makes a joke and I don't think it's funny. Poor man.
5. Getting mail is maybe even more exciting now than it was in college- who would have thought?
6. I figured I'd be able to convince Blake to like beans and olives. I was wrong.
7. The best date nights are the cheapest ones. This does not necessarily apply to getaways, though.
8. I don't require much alone time. So far...
9. About the only alone time I do require is poo-time, and I get annoyed if Blake talks to me when I'm- you know. Especially if he asks how it's going. Is nothing sacred? I think he's genuinely interested, too...
10. We make up songs all the time. Blake's are better than mine, though I'm quick at providing a missing rhyme just as he's trailing off. We're a good team.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
A Public Apology to my Hardworking and Honorable Husband
I know not what came over me,
When I stopped beside the shower door.
In the midst of an impromptu cleaning spree,
I took a respite from my chores.
A compelling force bade me see,
And I chanced a peek down at floor.
My primary instinct was to flee,
But the appalling sight I could not ignore.
Grimly I assessed the scene,
Its sorry state made clear.
There I stood each morn' to clean,
Scrub my face and hair and rear.
Hours spent in this very stall
Did I never give thought to peer
Through the steam at the floor and wall
To which such filth did adhere?
Filled with woe and true resolve
I determined to make it right.
Not knowing what effort it would involve,
To make the walls once again white.
As I scrubbed the door and shelves
I pondered the cause of my plight
For really the shower ought clean itself
With all the soap and water in sight.
Such a mystery I cannot explain,
So dutifully I completed the task.
Yet a nagging thought was lodged in my brain-
My husband- he never did ask.
It deteriorated before his eyes,
His face was was a serene mask.
He never nudged or chastised,
Mentioned the empty shampoo flasks.
Dear husband, I apologize now
For the shocking state of neglect.
You showed more grace than most would allow,
Though it wore on you, I suspect.
A sparkling shower I present to you,
My love for you may it reflect.
Since we have two babies under two,
It won't happen again soon, I expect.
When I stopped beside the shower door.
In the midst of an impromptu cleaning spree,
I took a respite from my chores.
A compelling force bade me see,
And I chanced a peek down at floor.
My primary instinct was to flee,
But the appalling sight I could not ignore.
Grimly I assessed the scene,
Its sorry state made clear.
There I stood each morn' to clean,
Scrub my face and hair and rear.
Hours spent in this very stall
Did I never give thought to peer
Through the steam at the floor and wall
To which such filth did adhere?
Filled with woe and true resolve
I determined to make it right.
Not knowing what effort it would involve,
To make the walls once again white.
As I scrubbed the door and shelves
I pondered the cause of my plight
For really the shower ought clean itself
With all the soap and water in sight.
Such a mystery I cannot explain,
So dutifully I completed the task.
Yet a nagging thought was lodged in my brain-
My husband- he never did ask.
It deteriorated before his eyes,
His face was was a serene mask.
He never nudged or chastised,
Mentioned the empty shampoo flasks.
Dear husband, I apologize now
For the shocking state of neglect.
You showed more grace than most would allow,
Though it wore on you, I suspect.
A sparkling shower I present to you,
My love for you may it reflect.
Since we have two babies under two,
It won't happen again soon, I expect.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Happy Six Month Birthday, Bash!
It's hard to believe, Sebastian is six months old! Our baby is growing into quite the little man: chubby, squishy, gurgly, bouncy, and smiley. We just adore him!
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| Happy half birthday, sweet Bud-o! |
 |
| Rory chose her cleaning outfit |
 |
| Painting with water on a beautiful afternoon |
 |
| Bouncing baby boy |
 |
| She wanted to wear all her bibs at Nana's house, silly girl |
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| Chubby Bashy |
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| Sebastian hanging out with pal Lincoln |
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| Safari sweetie |
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Caution: Potty Talk
When Rory emphatically wants to do something, she says the word "a" before it. For example, "A pfood," means, "Come on, already, I want to eat!" This is what I hear first thing in the morning when getting her out of bed, "A pfood!" "A poop" means "I need to poo," although that can mean the deed is imminent or hours away. The one we've been hearing the most around here lately is "A pee pee." I believe the girl is starting to potty train herself! At least several times a day she'll declare her need, march to her potty, and produce. We're not pushing her at all, but it's kind of exciting nonetheless; she's definitely making connections!
Other momentous Roryisms of the week so far: saying "up" instead of "down" when she wants up, showing affection to a baby doll ("Baby!" She cried out delightedly and gave it a kiss before tossing it across the room), and drinking out of a big girl cup.
Behind the scenes, I'm working on figuring out toy storage and toy cycling (any suggestions?), and joined Blake's facebook (Blake-Brittany Bowen) since I'll be doing publicity for mops next year; it's kind of a necessity for that.
We met with Blake's adviser again and got him registered for summer and fall. Four more semesters and a summer or two left! I'm so proud of him! He's starting full-time in the fall; we're trusting that it will be financially feasible. He quit Purina almost exactly a year ago, and God has been really faithful to us. It's been hard, but we know we're doing the right thing, and He keeps providing.
Other momentous Roryisms of the week so far: saying "up" instead of "down" when she wants up, showing affection to a baby doll ("Baby!" She cried out delightedly and gave it a kiss before tossing it across the room), and drinking out of a big girl cup.
Behind the scenes, I'm working on figuring out toy storage and toy cycling (any suggestions?), and joined Blake's facebook (Blake-Brittany Bowen) since I'll be doing publicity for mops next year; it's kind of a necessity for that.
We met with Blake's adviser again and got him registered for summer and fall. Four more semesters and a summer or two left! I'm so proud of him! He's starting full-time in the fall; we're trusting that it will be financially feasible. He quit Purina almost exactly a year ago, and God has been really faithful to us. It's been hard, but we know we're doing the right thing, and He keeps providing.
| Rory's hair is a disaster these days. I'm growing it out (am I allowed to say that I'm growing someone else's hair out?) and we tried to tame it with pigtails. She was not pleased. |
| Sebastian is looking so grownup! |
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Crafty
A couple of weeks before Easter, despairing at our lack of decor, I endeavored to make a free Easter decoration. Here is what I came up with, made entirely from TP/paper towel tubes and hot glue:
I'm ridiculously fond of it!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Easter in Pictures
| Ready for her first ever Easter egg hunt at a friend's house! |
| The sandbox evoked feelings of great passion. |
| So sweet seeing the wonder on her face |
| Showing Mama her egg |
| Playtime at the park |
| She came marching into our room Easter morning saying, "Chuch! Chuch!" She looooves church these days! |
| Sebastian's first Easter |
| Rory trying to defend her cookie from cousin Liv |
| Rory is an awkward hugger. |
| Cousins and cookies |
| My handsome son! |
| Not overly thrilled with Easter brunch |
| All dressed up |
| Smiley boy |
| Bash loves sitting with his papa. |
| Bowens and Freemans etc. after brunch |
| Staged kiddo shot |
| My babies |
| Another egg hunt! |
| So intent on her quest |
| Applause, please |
| Rory was quite fond of Easter candy. |
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Spring
Spring in Flagstaff is agony; some days are just gorgeous and thrill you into thinking that the warm weather is here to stay. More often, it's just cold. And the nights are still below freezing, which means the flannel sheets stay out. And the dreaded wind is ALWAYS present, putting an extreme damper on just about every outdoor activity. No, spring is not northern Arizona's finest season.
Nevertheless (I love how three perfectly independent words get smooshed into one!), I have embarked on the Great Seasonal Clothing Swap. This is much more daunting with two children, particularly of a different gender. And while I need the springy-summer clothes out, I still can't store away all of the winter ones. Grrrr. I find the whole thing overwhelming. My living room will be filled with bins for the next couple of weeks, so that I don't find some tiny sweater in the laundry in a few days and have to dig out the appropriate bin just to store it. I usually just give away the item in that unfortunate situation, but if it's something I really want to keep...
Anyway, we haven't been up to too much this week, due to sick/teething/grumpy babies. We were supposed to be out of town, but for the first time our travel plans ended up being canceled due to a solid weekend of overbooked flights. It's probably a good thing, and we'll delay our trip to see my grandparents until next month when we can go for longer than a couple days anyway.
RORY is just two months shy of two! In fact, when I ask her how old she is, she says, "Doo!" She doesn't know exactly what that means, but it's cute at any rate. She also came up with "bless you!" when someone sneezes without any prompting from us, and is very adept at "I want ______," usually, being cocoa, cake, or busssss (what she calls the ambulance). She loves to just go sit it the ambulance or jeep (Cuk, which means truck, even though it's not) with Blake when he gets home. Cars are also cuks, and helicopters are koptas. It's so fun watching her eyes open to the world, and seeing her make connections. She adores her baby brother, "Bashhhhhhh," and he is equally fond of her. Her new favorite game goes like this: "Do you love Mama, Rory?" "Noooooo!" "Do you love Bash, Rory?" "Noooooooo!" Do you love Grandpa, Rory?" "Noooooooo!" At which point she takes the initiative: "Do doo duh Papa? Nooooo!" And so on. She thinks it's hilarious, and apparently doesn't love anyone.
Sweet SEBASTIAN is 5 months old and is learning to sit, which I'm hoping will revolutionize his existence and make independent play more of a priority for him. He's laughing more and sleeping less (I guess that's an okay tradeoff), and is very handsome and just the right amount of chunky. Bash also magically to move across the room, though I have yet to witness how he accomplishes this feat.
Finally, today was the annual MOPS spa day. I'm not exactly a "spa girl," whatever that means, but I enjoy the mocha punch and fondu and comfy chair chats with friends. I made this hideous/fun spa cheese ball to commemorate the day, and it was quite well received! And most of it got eaten, which is good since I hate cheese balls.
Nevertheless (I love how three perfectly independent words get smooshed into one!), I have embarked on the Great Seasonal Clothing Swap. This is much more daunting with two children, particularly of a different gender. And while I need the springy-summer clothes out, I still can't store away all of the winter ones. Grrrr. I find the whole thing overwhelming. My living room will be filled with bins for the next couple of weeks, so that I don't find some tiny sweater in the laundry in a few days and have to dig out the appropriate bin just to store it. I usually just give away the item in that unfortunate situation, but if it's something I really want to keep...
Anyway, we haven't been up to too much this week, due to sick/teething/grumpy babies. We were supposed to be out of town, but for the first time our travel plans ended up being canceled due to a solid weekend of overbooked flights. It's probably a good thing, and we'll delay our trip to see my grandparents until next month when we can go for longer than a couple days anyway.
RORY is just two months shy of two! In fact, when I ask her how old she is, she says, "Doo!" She doesn't know exactly what that means, but it's cute at any rate. She also came up with "bless you!" when someone sneezes without any prompting from us, and is very adept at "I want ______," usually, being cocoa, cake, or busssss (what she calls the ambulance). She loves to just go sit it the ambulance or jeep (Cuk, which means truck, even though it's not) with Blake when he gets home. Cars are also cuks, and helicopters are koptas. It's so fun watching her eyes open to the world, and seeing her make connections. She adores her baby brother, "Bashhhhhhh," and he is equally fond of her. Her new favorite game goes like this: "Do you love Mama, Rory?" "Noooooo!" "Do you love Bash, Rory?" "Noooooooo!" Do you love Grandpa, Rory?" "Noooooooo!" At which point she takes the initiative: "Do doo duh Papa? Nooooo!" And so on. She thinks it's hilarious, and apparently doesn't love anyone.
Sweet SEBASTIAN is 5 months old and is learning to sit, which I'm hoping will revolutionize his existence and make independent play more of a priority for him. He's laughing more and sleeping less (I guess that's an okay tradeoff), and is very handsome and just the right amount of chunky. Bash also magically to move across the room, though I have yet to witness how he accomplishes this feat.
Finally, today was the annual MOPS spa day. I'm not exactly a "spa girl," whatever that means, but I enjoy the mocha punch and fondu and comfy chair chats with friends. I made this hideous/fun spa cheese ball to commemorate the day, and it was quite well received! And most of it got eaten, which is good since I hate cheese balls.
| Springy Aurora |
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