I ran across an article in Popular Mechanics, 100 Skills Every Man Should Know: 2008's Ultimate DIY List, and forwarded it to Jill. She forwarded it right back and asked me how I thought I rated against the items on the list.
So here's my assessment:
Automotive
1. Handle a blowout -- Yes - but the real question is, can I do it without stomping my feet or cursing.
2. Drive in snow -- Yep.
3. Check trouble codes -- If that is the big red warning light on the dashboard, then yes.
4. Replace fan belt -- If I could, mine wouldn't be screaming at me whenever I drive my car.
5. Wax a car -- Yep.
6. Conquer an off-road obstacle -- About the only thing my Nissan Altima can conquer off-road is blades of grass.
7. Use a stick welder -- Um, no - but I can handle every other kind of welder: hose welder, shark welder - you know, all those other ones.
8. Hitch up a trailer -- Yep.
9. Jump start a car -- Yep.
Handling Emergencies
10. Perform the Heimlich -- Yep - the videos from elementary school are burned into my memory.
11. Reverse hypothermia -- I need more specificity - do I know this person, has this person ever made me angry? This can involve two people getting almost naked and then spooning under a blanket. I would really have to be sure I wanted the person with hypothermia to live.
12. Perform hands-only CPR -- Yes - I certainly wouldn't do it with my feet.
13. Escape a sinking car -- Yes - I am very familiar with that Myth Busters episode.
Home
14. Carve a turkey -- I can carve the **** out of a turkey.
15. Use a sewing machine -- No comment. This has got to be a trick question. Anyone that answers yes must have his manhood membership card revoked.
16. Put out a fire -- Stop drop and roll; Not sure what I would do if I had to put out a whole building though - certainly can't roll it.
17. Home brew beer -- No comment. Just kidding - no.
18. Remove bloodstains from fabric -- If they haven't caught me yet, then I guess I was successful.
19. Move heavy stuff -- That's why my wife calls me Jackass.
20. Grow food -- http://www.papajohns.com/
21. Read an electric meter -- I just pay the bill when it comes every month - does that count?
22. Shovel the right way -- I never knew there was a wrong way. If you get the dirt out of the hole isn't that the right way? Wait, what if you're trying to get dirt back into a hole? Doh!
23. Solder wire -- I'm getting tired of answering these already.
24. Tape drywall -- Definitely - I watched Jill's dad do it once.
25. Split firewood -- Yep.
26. Replace a faucet washer -- Yep.
27. Mix concrete -- Nope - well I haven't tried yet. Probably still no.
28. Paint a straight line -- With the use of painter's tape - yes.
29. Use a French knife -- I prefer to think of it as a "Freedom" knife.
30. Prune bushes and small trees -- Yep - I have a great story about how my dad made me take care of an entire peach orchard when I was 13!!
31. Iron a shirt -- Definitely yes - always at 8:15, when I'm supposed to be at work at 8:30.
32. Fix a toilet tank flapper -- Once you've stayed up all night because your toilet won't stop running (start to nod off, then SWISH, repeat endlessly), then you figure it out pretty quickly the next day.
33. Change a single-pole switch -- Single-pole, 3/4-pole - whatever it takes.
34. Fell a tree -- No, but I can cut one down.
35. Replace a broken windowpane -- I would just tell my wife that John did it - that always seemed to work when I was a kid (John was the red-headed step child that lived down the street).
36. Set up a ladder, safely -- Yep.
37. Fix a faucet cartridge -- I'm not even going to pretend on this one - I would have to search on Wikipedia to find out what a faucet cartridge is. I installed a new faucet in our bathroom, but I'm not sure that is a repeatable process for me.
38. Sweat copper tubing -- No.
39. Change a diaper -- No, and can somone tell my wife.
40. Grill with charcoal -- Ahhh, yeaaahhhhh!
41. Sew a button on a shirt -- Yep.
42. Fold a flag -- Yes - proud to be a Life Scout.
Medical Myths
43. Treat frostbite -- I'm a little worried that this section is titled "Medical Myths." Now I don’t know what to do - is it impossible to treat these things?
44. Treat a burn -- My mom would put butter on a burn - is that bad?
45. Help a seizure victim -- Yes - just make sure the seizure victim has an open airway and isn't hurting himself. Then seek medical help or advice. Call 911 if the seizure doesn't stop.
46. Treat a snakebite -- Yes.
47. Remove a tick -- Yes - ask Jill.
Military Know-How
48. Shine shoes -- Yep.
49. Make a drum-tight bed -- When I really want to. Jill won't agree.
50. Drop and give the perfect pushup -- 10 years ago - yes; Now - no.
Outdoors
51. Run rapids in a canoe -- No. But I could probably do it in a raft with a river guide.
52. Hang food in the wild -- Yep.
53. Skipper a boat -- Yep, sort of (our family was part owner of a 32' sail boat).
54. Shoot straight -- Yep.
55. Tackle steep drops on a mountain bike -- Yep - grew up in Utah - kind of like a mountain goat: born on the mountain (and kind of stinky).
56. Escape a rip current -- Yep - sufing in South Africa.
Primitive Skills
57. Build a fire in the wilderness -- Yep - matches work great. Jumper cables don't work as well.
58. Build a shelter -- Probably.
59. Find potable water -- I hope so.
Surviving Extremes
60. Floods -- Not yet.
61. Tornados -- Wouldn't anyone just crouch in the tub and pray really hard?
62. Cold -- Every time Jill gets in bed and puts her cold feet on me.
63. Heat -- Every night I sleep with one leg out from under our down comforter, which remains on our bed even through the summer in order to combat above-mentioned cold feet.
64. Lightning -- Give me someone who says he can survive a lightning strike, and let's put him to the test.
Teach Your Kids
65. Cast a line -- Is that like hitting a punch line? I definitely need to work on that with Liz. Her current best joke: "Why did the chicken cross the road? Because he had pants on!"
66. Lend a hand -- Yep
67. Change a tire -- See #1 above. So far, Liz has only repeated one of my curses.
68. Throw a spiral -- Yep.
69. Fly a stunt kite -- Never tried.
70. Drive a stick shift -- Yep.
71. Parallel park -- I'll challenge anyone to a parallel-park-off.
72. Tie a bowline -- Around the tree, through the hole, around the tree and back down through the hole.
73. Tie a necktie -- Around the tree, through the hole, around the tree and back down through the hole. Hmmm, seems like one of these isn't right.
74. Whittle -- Yep, I can definitely shave wood from a stick until there is no more stick. That's why I'm no good at stick welding (see #7).
75. Ride a bike -- Yep. See #55.
Technology
76. Install a graphics card -- Yep.
77. Take the perfect portrait -- No.
78. Calibrate HDTV settings -- No, but my friend Dan can. I can just borrow some of his manhood.
79. Shoot a home movie -- Yep - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brL-p9h0JK4
80. Ditch your hard drive -- Yep - just throw it in the trash.
Master Key Workshop Tools
81. Drill driver -- Check - that was one of my first manhood acquisitions.
82. Grease gun -- Nope.
83. Coolant hydrometer -- What?
84. Socket wrench -- Not sure?
85. Test light -- Nope.
86. Brick trowel -- Nope.
87. Framing hammer -- No, but I really want one. They're twice as tough as a regular hammer.
88. Wood chisel -- Check.
89. Spade bit -- Nope.
90. Circular saw -- Check. Second manhood acquisition.
91. Sledge hammer -- No.
92. Hacksaw -- Yep.
93. Torque wrench -- No.
94. Air wrench -- Curses - no.
95. Infrared thermometer -- Would a baby forehead thermometer work?
96. Sand blaster -- No, but it would be sweet to own one. I would ask my friends on a regular basis if they needed any sand blasting done around their homes.
97. Crosscut saw -- I thought I already saw this question - #92 Hacksaw - that's the same thing right?
98. Hand plane -- No.
99. Multimeter -- No.
100. Feeler gauges -- What?
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
5 year checkup
Lizzie had her five year check up before school this morning. 7:20 a.m. I'm amazed we made it there on time. I brought Liz in her pajamas, fed her breakfast in the car, and had her brush her teeth and dress at the doc's office. The appointment went pretty well:
High: Lizzie's eyes are just fine (Drew was concerned that she'd need glasses like he did in elementary school).
Low: Having to tell the doctor that Lizzie doesn't eat any fruits and vegetables (other than the ones I am able to hide in desirable foods, which isn't much). Dealing with Lizzie's food preferences is so frustrating! I feel like a failure nearly every time we sit down to dinner.
High: The doctor was impressed with Lizzie's drawing ability and complaint behavior during the examination. A couple years ago Liz would freak out when the people examined her ears. Today she sat patiently (and even giggled) while both the doc, and someone in training, gently poked and prodded her.
Low: The flu shot. The freak out. I tried to hold Liz down, but she was way too strong for me--even with the assistance of nurses. In the end, a nurse invited me to step aside and three of them managed to hold Lizzie still enough for the shot. She was screaming, "I want my daddy!" Yeah, me too. Next year I think I'll send him with Liz for the shots. Of course when I called Andrew to tell him about my experience, he suggested that we consider foregoing some future flu shots so that we do not traumatize Elizabeth. Hmm. We'll see.
Completely unrelated: I stumbled across this following video while I organized photos today. Totally cracks me up.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Today is Alaina's due date.
I can't believe that we have just now reached Lainey's due date. I cannot imagine what it would be like to still be big and pregnant. On one hand I feel like I got off easy because I had three whole weeks shaved off my 40 week sentence. On the other hand I feel like I have actually put in more than my fair share of time into bringing home a baby. I had six months of trying to conceive, eight months of pregnancy, a loss, two months of physical recovery, and then another eight months of pregnancy. So two years later and we finally have Alaina. Now that I have reached the 26th, I keep thinking about random things associated with this most recent pregnancy:
I felt more during the delivery than I expected. With Lizzie I never felt pressure or even felt the urge to push. I had to be told to. With Alaina I felt it. Ouch.
When Drew came into the hospital and met me at the check-in desk, I took one look at him and asked, "Where is the camera?" Argh! It was still in the van so he had to run back. Two days later when he came to pick me up at the hospital, he walked into the room and I asked, "Where is Lainey's outfit?" Again, argh! Again, still in the van. Again, a quick trip to the parking lot.
Having my water break with Alaina was messier than with Lizzie. I felt a little embarrassed when I was checking in to the hospital because the back of my dress was soaked and I was dripping on the rug. The crazy thing is that it sealed up again somehow and had to be broken again four or five hours later.
I wonder if my bed rest"modifications" sent me into labor early labor. Or it could have been that I was a little lax in taking my pills the last few days. I was horrified the first time I didn't take a pill on time or forgot one altogether, but when nothing negative seemed to happen I really eased up. Either way I'm really grateful that I did not go into labor on Lizzie's first day of school (it was the day after).
Lizzie and Lainey were both due on Friday, September 26th. They also both had their cords wrapped around their necks when they came out. It's kind of interesting to me that both of my living babies had their cords wrapped while the one that died did not.
I took Lainey to the doctor again today and she weights seven pounds, 12.4 ounces! She is so big!
I felt more during the delivery than I expected. With Lizzie I never felt pressure or even felt the urge to push. I had to be told to. With Alaina I felt it. Ouch.
When Drew came into the hospital and met me at the check-in desk, I took one look at him and asked, "Where is the camera?" Argh! It was still in the van so he had to run back. Two days later when he came to pick me up at the hospital, he walked into the room and I asked, "Where is Lainey's outfit?" Again, argh! Again, still in the van. Again, a quick trip to the parking lot.
Having my water break with Alaina was messier than with Lizzie. I felt a little embarrassed when I was checking in to the hospital because the back of my dress was soaked and I was dripping on the rug. The crazy thing is that it sealed up again somehow and had to be broken again four or five hours later.
I wonder if my bed rest"modifications" sent me into labor early labor. Or it could have been that I was a little lax in taking my pills the last few days. I was horrified the first time I didn't take a pill on time or forgot one altogether, but when nothing negative seemed to happen I really eased up. Either way I'm really grateful that I did not go into labor on Lizzie's first day of school (it was the day after).
Lizzie and Lainey were both due on Friday, September 26th. They also both had their cords wrapped around their necks when they came out. It's kind of interesting to me that both of my living babies had their cords wrapped while the one that died did not.
I took Lainey to the doctor again today and she weights seven pounds, 12.4 ounces! She is so big!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY LIZZIE!
Last night Lizzie helped me make cupcakes to bring to kindergarten today. She wanted to do everything herself. . . .
This morning Daddy made her princess waffles for breakfast, but she wanted her candles in cupcake. I'm a little ashamed to admit that this is her first birthday with candles. . . .
Lizzie was super excited to have birthday treats delivered to school and I liked getting a glimpse of her in class. She got some special attention at school today. Elizabeth said something about getting to help in "circle time" and having her birthday announced "on t.v." (morning announcements?). I'm not super excited about the other kid joining my picture, but every time I tried to get a shot of just Liz, he smiled and leaned in. Oh well. . . .
Five years old! Hurray! I welcomed Liz home with a bouquet of balloons and playdate with her friend Taryn. Taryn welcomed Liz with a present. . . .
We went to Lizzie's favorite restaurant, Panera, for dinner (and yes, she had a wardrobe change for the occasion). Lizzie's "regular" used to be cheese sandwich, chips, and chocolate milk, but she's recently switched to lemonade because she has become convinced that chocolate milk makes her vomit (both times it was probably just a coincidence). I'm note sure what's up with Drew's expression in the background. . . .
Liz just had to bring her new Sleeping Beauty doll (thanks Taryn) to dinner. She even brought an umbrella just for the toy. It was lightly drizzling as we walked to Panera (we live near one) and Liz held the umbrella over Sleeping Beauty, not herself.
When we got home from dinner, we let Liz have yet another cupcake with candles. We've got to make up for the first four years right? I love that she got so excited about blowing them out.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Three Pregnancies
As the days tick down to Alaina's due date, I keep mulling over my pregnancies. Every pregnancy is different. Certainly every birth is as well.
#1 - Lizzie was due 9/26/03. The main mishap with this "sort of unplanned" pregnancy was that I managed to burn my belly on a iron mid-way through. Otherwise, things went well. My main fears were that my water would break in public and our expected girl and would actually be a boy (I had already washed the girl clothing).
My water broke at 1 a.m., the day before my due date (I was up writing a paper). I called my nurse midwife and then abandoned the paper and went to sleep. I noticed the contractions when Andrew woke me up a couple hours later. I stayed home as long as I could stand the pain. When we got to the Georgetown Hospital (around 6 or 7 a.m.) I asked for an epidural as we were checking in and had to stop several times wait out the pain as I walked to my room at the absolute end of the hall. I absolutely loved the epidural when it came.
Liz was born around 10:30 a.m. (with the cord wrapped around her neck) after about 20 minutes of pushing which seemed like a long time to me. We stupidly forgot to bring our still camera, but remembered the video camera so fortunately we have some record of our time in the hospital. Liz was 8 pounds, 3 ounces, 20 inches long. We were completely smitten with her.
#2 - Jacob was due 11/26/07. We planned this one and it took us six months to get pregnant. My main fears this time around were that I would end up with a male doctor and a shared room at the hospital. Looking back, those fears seem so silly.
On 10/25 we learned that our baby had died in utero and were completely devastated. My doctor scheduled an induction for later that night. We arrived at Fairfax Hospital about 11:30 p.m. I got an epidural the minute I felt slight cramping. Jacob was born breach about 9:30 the next morning (exactly one month before his due date) after about 5/10 minutes of pushing. Actually he was part way out before the nurse and doctor even came in the room. This time around we remembered to bring our still camera but left the video camera at home. Still, we were too upset to take many pictures. Jake was 6 pounds, 2 ounces. We miss him still.
After Jacob died I had four agonizing weeks to wade through until his due date. I kept thinking "I should still be pregnant" and felt so sad.
#3 - Alaina was due 9/26/08. My main fear this time around was a miscarriage or another stillborn. This "sort of unplanned" pregnancy was pretty uneventful (aside from my extreme anxiety and "high risk" status) till I hit 32 weeks whereupon I started getting weekly non-stress tests.
At 34 weeks I was put on bed rest because I was dilated to three and unknowingly having contractions. Two days before I reached 37 weeks my water broke. We again headed to Fairfax hospital. The epidural was not as affective as with previous deliveries and I felt more pain/discomfort than I expected. Like Liz, Alaina was born with the cord wrapped around her neck. She weighted 7 pounds.
Since Lainey's birth I have had three sleep-deprived weeks. I keep thinking "I should still be pregnant" and I feel relief--relief that Laina's alive, relief that the pregnancy is over.
#1 - Lizzie was due 9/26/03. The main mishap with this "sort of unplanned" pregnancy was that I managed to burn my belly on a iron mid-way through. Otherwise, things went well. My main fears were that my water would break in public and our expected girl and would actually be a boy (I had already washed the girl clothing).
My water broke at 1 a.m., the day before my due date (I was up writing a paper). I called my nurse midwife and then abandoned the paper and went to sleep. I noticed the contractions when Andrew woke me up a couple hours later. I stayed home as long as I could stand the pain. When we got to the Georgetown Hospital (around 6 or 7 a.m.) I asked for an epidural as we were checking in and had to stop several times wait out the pain as I walked to my room at the absolute end of the hall. I absolutely loved the epidural when it came.
Liz was born around 10:30 a.m. (with the cord wrapped around her neck) after about 20 minutes of pushing which seemed like a long time to me. We stupidly forgot to bring our still camera, but remembered the video camera so fortunately we have some record of our time in the hospital. Liz was 8 pounds, 3 ounces, 20 inches long. We were completely smitten with her.
#2 - Jacob was due 11/26/07. We planned this one and it took us six months to get pregnant. My main fears this time around were that I would end up with a male doctor and a shared room at the hospital. Looking back, those fears seem so silly.
On 10/25 we learned that our baby had died in utero and were completely devastated. My doctor scheduled an induction for later that night. We arrived at Fairfax Hospital about 11:30 p.m. I got an epidural the minute I felt slight cramping. Jacob was born breach about 9:30 the next morning (exactly one month before his due date) after about 5/10 minutes of pushing. Actually he was part way out before the nurse and doctor even came in the room. This time around we remembered to bring our still camera but left the video camera at home. Still, we were too upset to take many pictures. Jake was 6 pounds, 2 ounces. We miss him still.
After Jacob died I had four agonizing weeks to wade through until his due date. I kept thinking "I should still be pregnant" and felt so sad.
#3 - Alaina was due 9/26/08. My main fear this time around was a miscarriage or another stillborn. This "sort of unplanned" pregnancy was pretty uneventful (aside from my extreme anxiety and "high risk" status) till I hit 32 weeks whereupon I started getting weekly non-stress tests.
At 34 weeks I was put on bed rest because I was dilated to three and unknowingly having contractions. Two days before I reached 37 weeks my water broke. We again headed to Fairfax hospital. The epidural was not as affective as with previous deliveries and I felt more pain/discomfort than I expected. Like Liz, Alaina was born with the cord wrapped around her neck. She weighted 7 pounds.
Since Lainey's birth I have had three sleep-deprived weeks. I keep thinking "I should still be pregnant" and I feel relief--relief that Laina's alive, relief that the pregnancy is over.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
This Week's Highs and Lows
HIGHS:
-- Attending Enrichment and winning/earning a yummy dinner.
-- Visits from and to several friends.
-- Pedicure.
-- Lizzie's positive response to both soccer and dance classes.
-- Lizzie finally allowing me to try a new hairstyle on her.
-- Hanging out with my little family.
-- Lizzie cooing at and cuddling with Lainey.
-- Naps.
-- Cuddling Alaina.
-- Better scale reading this week than last.
-- Lizzie saying special prayers that Drew and I will feel better and that Lainey will be safe.
LOWS:
-- Arriving at Enrichment and realizing that I drove there without securing Lainey's carseat!
-- Drew and I getting a nasty colds.
-- Lainey getting sick too.
-- Andrew running over a little squirrel.
-- Having visiting friends see my messy house.
-- End of paternity leave/Andrew's return to work.
-- Hearing Lizzie remind Alaina to breathe and knowing she learned that from me.
Lizzie and I played hairdresser this afternoon (the only way she would let me experiment with her hair). Afterwards Lizzie wanted to take pictures with our sunglasses and fancy purses. She was really into "posing."
-- Attending Enrichment and winning/earning a yummy dinner.
-- Visits from and to several friends.
-- Pedicure.
-- Lizzie's positive response to both soccer and dance classes.
-- Lizzie finally allowing me to try a new hairstyle on her.
-- Hanging out with my little family.
-- Lizzie cooing at and cuddling with Lainey.
-- Naps.
-- Cuddling Alaina.
-- Better scale reading this week than last.
-- Lizzie saying special prayers that Drew and I will feel better and that Lainey will be safe.
LOWS:
-- Arriving at Enrichment and realizing that I drove there without securing Lainey's carseat!
-- Drew and I getting a nasty colds.
-- Lainey getting sick too.
-- Andrew running over a little squirrel.
-- Having visiting friends see my messy house.
-- End of paternity leave/Andrew's return to work.
-- Hearing Lizzie remind Alaina to breathe and knowing she learned that from me.
Lizzie and I played hairdresser this afternoon (the only way she would let me experiment with her hair). Afterwards Lizzie wanted to take pictures with our sunglasses and fancy purses. She was really into "posing."
Throughout the afternoon Liz asked me to add more and more hair ties and clips to her braids. She kept saying, "I look like Fancy Nancy."
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Soccer
The picture below is of the Mormon kids on Lizzie's soccer team. There are about ten kids on the team. All five of the girls are in our ward. I'm looking forward to visiting with the moms each Tuesday night while the kids practice. 
So far both Liz and Drew are excited about soccer. When I signed Liz up she cried and told me that she would not participate, that I hadn't listened to her when she told me "NO!" earlier, and that she didn't want to do any sports "with balls." Andrew has decreed that our children will always do a sport and an art. Liz wanted her sport to be swimming, but we want her to at least try soccer. . . .
Last Saturday the soccer league had a big practice/meet the coach morning. We told Liz that it was a "soccer party" so she was excited about going (what kid doesn't like a party?). Despite her initial misgivings, she had a ball Saturday and practice the following Tuesday night was just as much fun. Now she seems just as excited as Andrew. I'm glad that she has had a change of heart because I was dreading weekly battles about soccer practice.
A couple days ago Liz spontaneously explained to me that she wasn't going to cry about dance and soccer any more because they are "fun" and she is a big girl. She has also asked to practice soccer every evening since Tuesday. Last night Drew indulged her. I'm glad they had fun (though next time I'll insist they practice OUTSIDE).
So far both Liz and Drew are excited about soccer. When I signed Liz up she cried and told me that she would not participate, that I hadn't listened to her when she told me "NO!" earlier, and that she didn't want to do any sports "with balls." Andrew has decreed that our children will always do a sport and an art. Liz wanted her sport to be swimming, but we want her to at least try soccer. . . .Last Saturday the soccer league had a big practice/meet the coach morning. We told Liz that it was a "soccer party" so she was excited about going (what kid doesn't like a party?). Despite her initial misgivings, she had a ball Saturday and practice the following Tuesday night was just as much fun. Now she seems just as excited as Andrew. I'm glad that she has had a change of heart because I was dreading weekly battles about soccer practice.
A couple days ago Liz spontaneously explained to me that she wasn't going to cry about dance and soccer any more because they are "fun" and she is a big girl. She has also asked to practice soccer every evening since Tuesday. Last night Drew indulged her. I'm glad they had fun (though next time I'll insist they practice OUTSIDE).
Friday, September 19, 2008
2 weeks old (last Wednesday)
I meant to post this yesterday, but I was just too sick. On Wednesday Lainey also had her first sink bath (after she "spit up" spectacular amounts of milk on me). 
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Busy Lizzie/First Day Alone
Today was my first day at home, all alone, without Drew. I think it went well. I managed to drop Liz off at school and pick her up in time, I found her dance studio, and I even managed to clean up a little bit at home. I feel proud, but I don't expect tomorrow to go as smoothly. Mostly because it is almost 2 a.m. and I have not been able to go to bed because Laina has not gone to sleep. I guess the miracle Swaddle Me can only do so much.
Life has certainly sped up for Liz. She is going to all-day kindergarten and soccer and dance classes. Things have sped up for us too. Lizzie has homework which means we have homework. So far Andrew has done most of it with her. The instructions for her Spanish homework were of course written in Spanish so Drew had to turn to an online translation site to figure them out. I'm so glad he's excited about helping her. I looked at the homework and felt a little discouraged. She's only in kindergarten and I cannot read her homework! How's it going to be in fifth and sixth grade and she asks for assistance? Ugh.
Naturally Liz is still asking to hold Alaina daily. It's pretty sweet. She is really excited about being a big sister. In her nightly prayers she almost always thinks of Lainey. "Please bless that Alaina:" will be safe, will know sign language already, will copy Liz to learn to walk and talk, and so on so forth.
I'm so glad that I finally took these pictures. For years Liz has slept with her Lambie (a lovey with a lamb's head), shoving the silky parts in between each finger.
Life has certainly sped up for Liz. She is going to all-day kindergarten and soccer and dance classes. Things have sped up for us too. Lizzie has homework which means we have homework. So far Andrew has done most of it with her. The instructions for her Spanish homework were of course written in Spanish so Drew had to turn to an online translation site to figure them out. I'm so glad he's excited about helping her. I looked at the homework and felt a little discouraged. She's only in kindergarten and I cannot read her homework! How's it going to be in fifth and sixth grade and she asks for assistance? Ugh.
Naturally Liz is still asking to hold Alaina daily. It's pretty sweet. She is really excited about being a big sister. In her nightly prayers she almost always thinks of Lainey. "Please bless that Alaina:" will be safe, will know sign language already, will copy Liz to learn to walk and talk, and so on so forth.
I'm so glad that I finally took these pictures. For years Liz has slept with her Lambie (a lovey with a lamb's head), shoving the silky parts in between each finger.
When we got home from Lizzie's dance class this evening, we found a package with her new shin guards. Naturally she had to try them out right away.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Paternity Leave is Almost Over
Tomorrow is Andrew's last day of paternity leave. It's been wonderful having him home and I'm really sad it's ending. He's been making Lizzie's lunches, getting her ready in the morning, and taking her to school, all while I sleep in a little bit. Wednesday is going to be a big adjustment.
Today he was gone most of the day--running errands, chaperoning a field trip to the public library for Lizzie's kindergarten class, and preparing and delivering a meal to a friend of ours--so I got a little idea of what it will be like without him here during the day. It was pretty boring. All I did was feed the baby, change the baby, and check to make sure she was still breathing. I didn't get much else done. Alaina's main accomplishment was losing most of what Lizzie referred to as her "apple core."
In the above picture Liz is playing with shaving cream. I thought it was pretty contained. Andrew expressed frustration. Apparently he thinks I regularly let her begin messy activities and then do not "supervise" her. I thought he was overreacting until tonight. Just before bed I let Elizabeth use a permanent marker to draw pictures of herself and Lainey. She tried to be careful, but still managed to put marks on a book, her wall, and worst of all her nightstand (that I made myself in high school). I guess I learned my lesson.
Yesterday my cousin, Wendy, stopped by to drop off a delicious dinner. It's been about a year since we last saw her and her husband, Harley, so it was really nice to visit with them again. It was also the first time we saw their baby, Anderson in person. He is so cute! Unfortunately Lizzie wasn't as excited about meeting her second cousin as we were, and she did not want to take a picture with him:
Also today: Jacob's stillborn birth certificate arrived. Receiving it was bittersweet. I'm happy to have his existence officially acknowledged, but I'm still really sad about losing him. I did not expect Alaina's birth to overshadow my sadness, but I guess I expected it to alleviate more of the pain.
Today he was gone most of the day--running errands, chaperoning a field trip to the public library for Lizzie's kindergarten class, and preparing and delivering a meal to a friend of ours--so I got a little idea of what it will be like without him here during the day. It was pretty boring. All I did was feed the baby, change the baby, and check to make sure she was still breathing. I didn't get much else done. Alaina's main accomplishment was losing most of what Lizzie referred to as her "apple core."
In the above picture Liz is playing with shaving cream. I thought it was pretty contained. Andrew expressed frustration. Apparently he thinks I regularly let her begin messy activities and then do not "supervise" her. I thought he was overreacting until tonight. Just before bed I let Elizabeth use a permanent marker to draw pictures of herself and Lainey. She tried to be careful, but still managed to put marks on a book, her wall, and worst of all her nightstand (that I made myself in high school). I guess I learned my lesson.Yesterday my cousin, Wendy, stopped by to drop off a delicious dinner. It's been about a year since we last saw her and her husband, Harley, so it was really nice to visit with them again. It was also the first time we saw their baby, Anderson in person. He is so cute! Unfortunately Lizzie wasn't as excited about meeting her second cousin as we were, and she did not want to take a picture with him:
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Day 10!
Sharon snagged a pair of girly cowgirl boots for Liz at her stake swap today. Liz loved them! The boots are about a size and a half too big, but Liz insisted on wearing them all afternoon anyway. She kept doing "cowgirl dances" and even wore them with her pajamas when we headed to the babysitter.
Speaking of the babysitter, Drew and I had a early night out (with Lainey of course). We didn't plan ahead though so we ended up running errands--Costco, Target, Sports Authority--and eating in the mall food court. Very romantic.
This weekend Drew enjoyed a daddy-daughter date to a local bowling alley with Liz. He also attempted to put a door on our "den" so that Alaina can have her own room. It's turning out to be a bigger project than he anticipated, poor guy.
This weekend Drew enjoyed a daddy-daughter date to a local bowling alley with Liz. He also attempted to put a door on our "den" so that Alaina can have her own room. It's turning out to be a bigger project than he anticipated, poor guy.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Random Stuff
We went back to the doctor today. Alaina is still gaining weight (up to 6 lbs, 12 oz) and looks less yellow. Yeah!
Also, I'm a little bit tiny bit less crazy about checking to see if Lainey is breathing (a little bit). This evening while Liz was holding the baby she put her hand on Laina's chest and said "she's breathing." I felt so bad for inadvertently teaching her to do this. I don't want to be an example of stress and paranoia for her so I am committing to be better about this.
Check out all the junk Lizzie piles on her bed before she goes to sleep. This kid is completely smitten with stuffed animals.
Also, I'm a little bit tiny bit less crazy about checking to see if Lainey is breathing (a little bit). This evening while Liz was holding the baby she put her hand on Laina's chest and said "she's breathing." I felt so bad for inadvertently teaching her to do this. I don't want to be an example of stress and paranoia for her so I am committing to be better about this.
Check out all the junk Lizzie piles on her bed before she goes to sleep. This kid is completely smitten with stuffed animals.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Yellow Baby
Check out Laina's sweet double chin:
We had to go back to the doctor's office for a weight check on Lainey since she had lost an ounce by our last appointment. Good news: she's gaining weight. Hurray! Bad news: she's jaundiced. Boo!
I thought Alaina was looking a little yellow. Even yesterday Lizzie looked at her sister and said "Why is her face yellow?" So, today after we picked Liz up from school we went to a local park to get some sun time. When we got out of the car Liz had a complete meltdown:
Apparently she did not want to walk. She wanted something "comfortable and soft with wheels" to ride on. Stroller envy anyone? When we got to the playground she happily played on the equipment and even ran races to the bathroom. Of course when it was time to walk back to the car she had another breakdown. 
Other news: Alaina found her thumb! So cute. 
We had to go back to the doctor's office for a weight check on Lainey since she had lost an ounce by our last appointment. Good news: she's gaining weight. Hurray! Bad news: she's jaundiced. Boo!
I thought Alaina was looking a little yellow. Even yesterday Lizzie looked at her sister and said "Why is her face yellow?" So, today after we picked Liz up from school we went to a local park to get some sun time. When we got out of the car Liz had a complete meltdown:
Apparently she did not want to walk. She wanted something "comfortable and soft with wheels" to ride on. Stroller envy anyone? When we got to the playground she happily played on the equipment and even ran races to the bathroom. Of course when it was time to walk back to the car she had another breakdown. 
Other news: Alaina found her thumb! So cute.
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