Much Warmer!

Once again, we waited too long for haircuts. This time we purchased the dang clippers instead of paying someone to cut the boys' hair. I've been reluctant to do this because last time I tried cutting Adam's hair, I failed miserably--and the time before that; oh, and when I cut Ian's hair, I failed at that one, too. But I actually think I did an okay job this time. I let Adam cut Ian's hair, and I cut Adam's. He guided me through it, and we did the best we could together.

Don't you love those frustrating moments in life that bond you and your spouse? "It feels wrong on this side . . . " "Then why are you having ME do it?! I hate this!" "Here--lemme see those . . . why does it feel all fuzzy in this area?!" "I hate this. I hate this. I hate this . . . "

Ian had a great time watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory while we got hair all over ourselves and expressed words of love. Actually, we didn't get nearly as angry with each other this time as we did last time--probably because the haircut turned out better. I guess each attempt will improve. We hope.

These pictures illustrate the beautiful haircuts done Saturday night. They also illustrate the fun Sunday we had decorating the Christmas tree. We decided to make sugar cookies and popcorn strings. Since church was cancelled due to the weather, we had lots of time to make our tree yummy. Ian sure loves the idea of a cookie tree. Each morning it's as if he's forgotton that we have a tree with cookies on it, and he says, "OOOH cookie!" and runs straight for ornaments. The bottom ornaments have his little finger marks in the frosting. Daddy's smiley face at the bottom of the tree now has no nose and smudged eyes and mouth. Hey, it gives the tree character, right? Actually, I think popcorn strings and sugar cookie ornaments scream, "We have no money for ornaments and tinsel!", giving the tree plenty of character already. But who cares? We think it's beautiful.

Not prepared for the weather

We've had LOTS of snow lately--which I guess is pretty common where we live. I guess we'll have to get used to it.

Adam and Ian took advantage of it the other day (Daddy got to come home early from school because of the snow). These are the before, during, and after pictures.

At Grandma's request, we've now replaced the snow-filled sweatpants with a snowsuit, the tennis shoes with boots, and the doubled up socks & plastic wrap with nice winter gloves. Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa! If you can't tell, Ian was freezing. My favorite are the balls of snow that collected in the bottom of the sweatpants (below). We're horrible parents.

Nor Easter

Yesterday we were given a break from snow. It began raining early in the morning, and by the time I woke up, the snow and ice had all melted. It was so nice not to have to worry about slipping (esp. since being pregnant, slipping has been an issue!). It stayed snow/iceless until this morning when it began snowing around 7:30. This picture of our front yard was taken less than an hour later. We have what people call a "Nor-Easter" (North Easterly)--basically a very cold storm we get in the east. Rhode Islanders told me all about it when I lived there. Apparently we get it here, too. I think Ian and I will be staying inside most of today. Got any ideas of how we can stay busy?

I've been tagged

#1. I was tagged by Shelly.

#2. 7 Random facts about myself:
1. I really like to cook--but I can't seem to keep things simple. I always have to have 2 or 3 vegetables at a meal, and I've been adding fruit now, too. I guess I like variety. Oh, and I love foodnetwork.com.
2. I detest mushrooms and creamed corn.
3. I know some American Sign Language. I can communicate the basics, I guess.
4. I make lists almost every day. I feel a sense of accomplishment when I've done things like, "Call the bank." I'm weird.
5. I love shoes, but right now I have a serious shortage. My next purchase: boots.
6. I used to love to write. Now it stresses me out. It's a love/hate relationship. I'm trying again--once in awhile.
7. I have a little problem with keeping my clothes nice. I've noticed Ian is this way, too (oh wait, he's 2 . . .). I do keep some of them nice--I guess I just wear the same ones over and over. And I don't own enough aprons. That must be it. Yes.

#3 I tag:

Aimee http://mikeandaimeesizemore.blogspot.com/

Andrea http://henich.blogspot.com/

Corrine http://www.4kidsnodog.blogspot.com/

Heidi http://elsasserfam.blogspot.com/

Katherine http://beginningtobegin.blogspot.com/

Kristy http://www.dkjohnson.blogspot.com/

Rachel http://www.randyrachel.blogspot.com/

Break me off a piece of that . . . Chrysler car? Football cream?

"Ain't no party like a Scranton party, 'cause a Scranton party don't stop! "
-Michael Scott, The Office

Yep, we've moved to Scranton, PA, known only for its supposed setting of "The Office." It's actually a really pretty place--well, downtown Scranton isn't (besides a few old, beautiful buildings)--it's quite ugly and industrial--but up where we live (Clarks Summit--about 10 minutes from Scranton) is quite lovely: lots of trees, mountains (nothing like Utah mountains--but covered in trees), and more trees. A few weeks ago they were all yellow and red, and now they’re bare and covered in snow.

Adam is working at the Scranton State School for the Deaf as a math teacher and is really liking it. He has some interesting conversations with both deaf and hearing, and he has some interesting kids, too. Right now they're learning algebra and life math skills. I've always hated math so much, I couldn't believe it when Adam wanted to teach it. I loved teaching English (though the grading was all-consuming), so it's just funny that I married a math teacher. Adam and I are very different, which I guess is why it works so well.

I stay at home with Ian, and we have fun running around like mad all day looking for things to do. Okay, I don’t run around like mad—just Ian. I've begun writing a little--again--and we'll see how that goes. I’ve also begun my very first book group. We’ll see how that goes, too. I’ve always loved being in them, but I’ve never started one. Playgroups, library, store, cooking, cleaning, reading, playing with trains, watching Ian play with trains and run around the house like mad, and getting excited for another baby keep us very busy. Lots still to do to get ready for the next little one. It's fun. Life is different as a mother . . . slow and hectic at the same time. I'm sure things will get a lot busier with two come February.

I found a funny website called Feminist Mormon Housewives. I have yet to read enough about it to say I recommend it, but part of what I have read, I can relate to. I am not necessarily a feminist, but I do sometimes feel like I am cooped up with nothing to occupy me but household chores and children—not that these things are bad—they’re wonderful! (okay, the children are)—but they can wear you down once in awhile (but also buoy you up!) Am I alone in this? Reading helps, for sure. I’ll be posting a list of my favorite books soon, I hope. I hope you’ll let me know some of yours.

Chopsticks

This is one I've wanted to post for awhile but kept forgetting. We went to a Japanese hibachi grill in Rhode Island a couple of months ago with some friends, and Ian had a great time. His favorite part was watching the onion being lit on fire. "WHOOOAAAAA!" He looks like a pro with the chopsticks, doesn't he?

Flattering Pregnancy Pictures

I think this is one of the only pictures of me this pregnancy . . . I guess I'm usually the one with the camera . This was actually right after Shelly's baby, Audrey, was born (those are her little legs and feet hanging down like bells--so cute). We went to Sweet Berry Farm and picked apples. It was really fun, but we got really hot and tired (or was that just me?).

Since this picture was taken, Audrey and my stomach are bigger, and Shelly is smaller.

Pregnancy isn't too flattering, but thankfully it turns out pretty wonderful results!

JK Rowling and Maybelline

Adam and I were two of the lucky 2,000 who got to meet JK Rowling in New York on October 19. The event was in Carnegie Hall and lasted about an hour. We had really great seats, too. It was a fantastic experience to hear her read from her own book, and at the end, she even signed a copy of Deathly Hallows for every person there. Luckily we were towards the front. We got to say a couple of words face-to-face as she signed our books, too. She was a very kind, warm person.

When we got back to Shelly and Kendall's that night, Shelly showed us some pictures of what the boys had been up to while we were gone. I guess I had been too excited before leaving for the event and had forgotten to put the makeup in a high place. Who do you think had more fun, Adam and I or Ian and Damon? Thanks, Shelly, for watching Ian for us. Sorry about the makeovers.

Naked kids

Another weekend at Shelly and Kendall's in New Jersey, and we all had fun. The naked kids sure were cute.

Stick-in-the-Trees Game

Trying to find ways to entertain a two-year-old can sometimes be exhausting. May I recommend giving your toddler a stick and letting him go at it at the leaves. This results in a very happy toddler and really very few leaves actually coming off the tree. Bring a blanket and a book for yourself. You'll have a good five to ten minutes, I think.

WWF

Wrestling season has begun at the Billings's. Current score: Daddy: 0, Ian: 4.

Wild biker boy

I'm going to try really hard not to post more than one post every few days because I know it's probably annoying--but I had to post this one. This may not appear as hilarious as it was, but for Adam's and my sake, it's going up anyway.

Last Friday night as Adam and I were eating dinner (Ian had already eaten and was playing in the living room), we heard Ian saying, "Daddy hat. Daddy hat." Soon Ian was running around the kitchen with Lindsay's old motorcycle helmet on backwards. This was really funny; but then Ian ran in to his room and got on his little yellow house bike ("yeyow bike") and began riding it frantically around the house, singing a little tune he made up to the words, "Ma ma ma MAAAA!" If I can upload the video, I will. It was hilarious. Here are the pictures for now. I'll see if I can get the video to work so you can see how funny it really was.

Poor kid memories and a boring baby

Ian and I just spent another weekend in New Jersey with Shelly, Kendall, Damon, and the new baby, Audrey. (Adam had to stay and work, unfortunately.) Liz joined us on Saturday night and Sunday. We loved holding and kissing Audrey. Being with her made me excited for our new baby due to arrive on February 10.

Liz, Shelly, and I spent Saturday night until 3:00 a.m. reminiscing about our childhood, while Kendall kindly listened and added a few things here and there, commenting at last that our childhood resembled Tom Sawyer's. I had always thought every kid grew up that way, but I suppose it really is only the poor kids who get to experience the outdoors like we did: innertubing down the dirty ditch behind our house; collecting snake eggs, duck eggs, and tadpoles; charging 5 cents for "Ferrari" rides on the old lawn mower we painted red; rolling kids down the driveway in empty 20 gallon barrels . . . Those were the days.

With no money for toys or pizza playplaces, kids really get creative. One of the best creations, in my opinion, was Lindsay's umbrella stroller hoisted in to the garage rafters via the garden hose. Michael (my brother), wound the hose around and around the rafters, leaving about 3 feet hanging off to the side. We then piled old coats, pillows, blankets, and various padding on the cement floor underneath the stroller. While one of us climbed up my dad's bookshelves in to it, another would pull the hose as hard as she could, sending the elated kid face-first in to the padding. Whatever token rides we dreamed Showbiz Pizza had, they couldn't have topped that.

Ian and Damon had quite the time together this weekend, of course, paying attention only to each other and "Go, Diego, Go!" We came to the conclusion that Audrey, to them, must be some little doll that makes noise sometimes whom they can't hit, kick, or play with. What a bore.

Aunt Liz sure enjoyed seeing her nephews, though.

Lobsters and such

A frequent ritual for Adam and Ian is to pull up the old, abandoned lobster trap next to the boat. Ian goes nuts when we find little crabs and star fish. We were really lucky yesterday when we found a baby crab, a baby lobster, and a mama crab holding her baby. When Adam handed Ian the baby crab, Ian chucked it so hard, the poor thing probably did a belly flop. Hey, at least they're free now, right?

The traps are placed all over the bay; you know you've found one when you see a bunch of plastic bottles tied in a circle. Adam once ran the boat straight over a trap without noticing. The trap and rope were lodged in the propeller, and he got to take a cold swim with snorkel and fins. Don't let him fool you--he loved it.

Adam's boat is docked next to the Aquidneck Lobster Company, which places a lot of the traps in the bay. Every time we visit Daddy, Ian runs straight up the ramp to the loading dock, and we go see the lobsters. There are always hundreds of lobsters (sometimes 15 lb. ones), but the other tank has live fish and crabs, too. Two weeks ago they caught a small shark and Ian couldn't stop talking about it. "Is da sharka dead?" I even heard him crying the next week in his sleep, "Shark!" I guess kids really remember scary things.

Shelly just had her baby last Wednesday. She's beautiful! Follow the link to her website.

http://web.mac.com/shellyandkendall//iWeb/Site/Home.html

The Ocean State

We live in a beautiful place! With all its frustrations, Newport really is gorgeous. Here are some cheesy pictures of Adam and I looking at the ocean, as well as some pictures of each of us with Ian.

Haircuts for the boys

Last week Adam and Ian got haircuts. It wasn't nearly as entertaining watching Adam getting his haircut, so, naturally, we took pictures of Ian's several faces as he got his. We did manage to get one very cute picture of both together when all was done. Thanks to Milynde (stylist); Daddy; and especially Mater, without whom none of this would have been possible.

Too many now; not enough later

We're new to the blogging thing, but we're excited that we finally have somewhere to unload all of our many photos of Ian. Parents with one child take far too many pictures of that child and have no idea what to do with them. We love (okay, Becky loves) taking pictures of Ian; we just hope we can continue this with the future children we'll love just as much but may not have quite the amount of time for. We think that's where blogs and websites come in. If we can make our website a priority, we can--hopefully--give our future children the amount of pictures they deserve. (So, I [Becky] have a soft spot for the subject since, as the third child, I couldn't find one photo--not one--of me as an infant for my junior high French "Qui est-ce-que? [or whatever the French phrase is]" party. I had to cut myself out of a 4x6 family photo and paste it to a blank sheet of paper. The result was a tiny, rough-cut photo, complete with Mom's hand around my leg.) I hope this blog will help me remember the pain. For now, endure the many pictures of Ian. Enjoy!