Recent pictures

With new fabulous batteries for my camera, I have been taking more pictures, Yea!!

Going to Church on Sunday in her new pretty dress, that I later noticed was dry clean only, thank-you-very-much.

Owen in his Eskimo kuspuk, lookin handsome


Longest he has ever left a hat on before, LOL

I just love the look she was giving me here, "ah Mom"
PLUS, proof that she can do dishes and was very willing back in the day.

He can be taught....

but apparently not too fast. I have been working with Owen on sign language for months now and he had not used a sign yet, just giggled at me when I sign things to him. But, he must have been paying a little attention at some point. He signed food a couple days ago, a few times - so not a fluke. I still can't get "all done" or "more" or "please". Those are the only ones I have been faithfully trying. I need to look up the one for water or drink, that one would be usefull, if he will learn it. Owens' cousin Matia has a good sign vocabulary, from home and her two day a week babysitter. I am hoping some of that will rub off on him.

I was always amazed and proud of how quick Gwendolyn picked it up and learned that she could use signs for many instances. For example, she learned "all done" fairly easy and then determined that she could sign that to be done with a bath, play, book, nap, anything. It didn't just mean all done with her food like I was teaching.

Are these attributes any indication of how they will learn come school time??

6 Materialistic things

Tagged by Beth (thanks) to list 6 materialistic things I want, can't be humanitarian, like World Peace.

1) A fabulous fitting pair of black Calvin Kleins. I keep striking out.

2) Is is fair to say lose 50 lbs?? I think that is somewhat materialistic, LOL. Hell, it is my wish so I am keeping it.

3) A new collection of bras for my non nursing boobs to enjoy.

4) A peacock topaz ring with gold nuggets

5) A weekend in Las Vegas with my girls (IRL and Garden Hoes)

6) A prize winning 80's prom dress

I tag Shannon (craftymom) and Nikki (Oliviasmom)and Jules

How quickly they forget

It breaks my heart, but also amazes me. Both Owen and Gwendolyn seem to have weaned very easy, easy since I have not much to compare it to. Owen weaned a couple weeks back. This was my idea, thinking it would be easier on him than leaving him startled and abandoned when I go to Hawaii. He was very much a boob-boy and I figured he would have a harder time. So in a way, you could say I am disappointed that he doesn't miss it more than he does. I assumed I would have to fight the boy off me for a while. Nope, nothing. O.K., we are done and life goes on. I sleep topless, TMI, but I have been delibrately putting on a top prior to seeing the baby in the morning or by chance in the middle of the night, not wanting to confuse him. Last night he was crying and it didn't sound like he was going to stop, so I went in, topless. He could care less about momma-snacks. He just cuddled in for a few minutes and was good. Glad I can still be of use as a cuddler, but a little sorrowful that he is not pining for nursing. Gwendolyn was the same way, done was done and she never looked back. Weaning was her idea though, but I think Owen had something to do with it considering I was pregnant. Both babies went 13 1/2 months nursing, for that I am quite proud.

5 Food things

I was tagged by Jules, :) thanks, to list 5 "Marita" food things.

1) I am lactose intolerant, but am in denial and still try to have dairy things and always get sick and pay for it. Makes me understand how mentally ill think they are cured and stop taking their meds, that would be me, LOL

2) I have eaten something that could taste me, fortunately I was too young to remember it. I have eat tounge. The thought now repulses me.

3) I have eaten what I have killed. I shot a black bear a few years back.

4) Sorta a food thing, but I cannnnnnnooooootttttt stand to hear anyone chew ice and in turn don't like ice touching my teeth. I always have a straw if their is ice in my cup.

5) I make fajitas the correct way, with peppers and onions while cooking. But those nasty things never make it into my mouth. I build my fajitas with meat and cheese and lettuce. I like the flavor that peppers and onions put off, but hate to eat them.

So now I tag Shannon, Nicole, Nikki, and Daphne

BBBBBB's and other random babe things

Every word in Owen vocabulary, besides Momma :), starts with a B.
He likes ball, book, ba?, bye.
Beyond these being his favorite and only words, they are also his favorite things. He loves balls and migrates to anything ball shaped. He was chasing a balloon around my parents house when I left him this morning.
Owen has a smile that just makes a person burst out laughing, but I have yet to get it captured. I call it his snaggle tooth grin. He scrunches up his nose and smiles big, while showing off his tooth and a quarter on the top row. He has verrrrry slow growing teeth and these top two have been taking forever to come in. In the meantime we get to enjoy and laugh at the snaggle tooth grin. Love it and him!!

Gwendolyn is growing up too fast in my opinion. Her grasp of the english language, the primary language in her world (Dora speaks spanish and she has a few Eskimo words) amazes me. She is formulating sentences and is able to answer questions, not just repeat the question. Not sure how to explain it, she obviously gets her thought process from elsewhere, LOL. When I would call my niece Brooke at around this age and ask her how she was or what she was doing, there was normally silence. I decided I didn't want to talk on the phone with toddlers till they could answer these basic questions. Once they can, then they are able to carry on conversation. Gwendolyn has reached the point that she can do these things and I am tickled. It makes calling her during the day a fun thing to do and brings a smile to my face. Prior it just brought a smile to others faces to listen to my one sided conversation, laughing at me and my baby talk.
She has also went the last two nights diaperless. My baby is growing up. The YiYi (pacifier) has went away at both grandparents houses during the last two weeks. Our house is next. She has only had it during nap and night sleep since she turned 1 and that is also the only time Owen is allowed it. Maybe she won't get it when we come back from Hawaii, having gone 7 nights without it at that point. Hopefully that will be an ideal goodbye YiYi transition time. I had planned on 3 years old being it, but this will just be a few weeks prior.
She can also open the gate at the top of the stairs. I came home from work the other night to find Gwendlyn waiting for me at the top of the stair, with the gate OPEN. I greet her and ask her if Daddy had opened it and she says no, Gwendolyn did it. I make her show me and sure enough, she can open the fancy, unopenable baby gate. Arggggg, I repeat many times, you are not allowed to open it when Owen is awake. Yeah, that will last long. Owen is pretty good about turning around and going down butt first, but I don't like the idea of risking it.
The only positive is that she can now be helpful in the morning and open the gate for me when I have my hand full with Owen and the many bags of crap that I seem to need to bring with me for the day. Can I lock her in a closet now and let her out at 21??

Cell Phone Thoughts

Deep thoughts by Marita, LOL
I was thinking today about what my cell phone address book says about me. It says I have lots of friends, I like to pamper myself, and I eat lunch out in a hurry lots. I have gotten good about saving numbers in there to be able to call friends in the future, though I dislike talking on the phone. I like to eat out and don't like to wait or have to look a number up, so I have my favorite chinese, thai, and sandwich place programed in. I am not great at planning my "me" time far in advance, so I have the tanning salon and hair dresser and spa programed in for when I have a few minutes to do what I want.
Apparently I don't think I will ever be in an accident since I have never gotten around to adding my ICE person. You know, In Case of Emergency person. I assume they would call the one listed as "home" or "mom" or "hubby".
It still amazes me how I have come to rely on this method of communication. Maybe because the time I use the phone most is in the car and that is one of the rare "me" times. Sure I may have the kids with me, but I don't have to dedicate my attention to them and fight over being allowed to talk on the phone. I never take the phone into my living space though. Once I am home, it stays in the car with my purse and no more phone time. Fine by me. Most of my personal call take place on my cell, in the car, driving like a bat out of hell, JKing - I am a great driver.

Toddler Snowmachiner

We inherited a KiddyKat snowmachine, for the sunbird, that is a real little snowmachine, for 6 and younger. It needs some help, like a cowling (sp), but Gwendolyn got to take it out for a rip around the driveway this afternoon.

I want to go that way

Fast

Woops, stuck

The three of us

Owen wasn't so sure about walking on this crazy slippery stuff, so he just laid there and watched the action.
Fortunately, the snowmachine doesn't go too fast and she will get a chance to learn how to steer. It was fun to watch and we will use the heck out of the poor little KiddyKat :)
Brushed teeth tonight, I feel like I am on a good roll.

Fashion

I have decided that whatever I dislike in a new style will become the next "IT" thing. Take pegged pants from the late 80's early 90's, I hated them to begin with, then became the queen of pegging. Same thing when fashion switched over to wide legs, I thought they looked tacky and then they grew on me. I don't think it has been long enough since the last tight leg pant era, so I find myself rebeling and not buying any pegged or tight pants. Hell, I am pretty sure I still have some in my closet from the last time. I have a mondo closet and have a tendency to hold onto things longer than necessary, some would call it a pack rat problem, I think it is a girl scout gene (which I never was). I never ever like the new style till it is almost ready to be over. I don't get me??
I am fortunate that I am far past high school age. I never want to go back there. I could relive my 20's, but have no desire to relive my teens. Enjoyed them then, no major issue, was popular and happy, but am so done with the drama that come with it. I see the teen drama at work and have a hard time not pointing the sheer absurdity of some situations, knowing they will someday realize that on their own, someday.

Resolution update - failed the first night, but to be fair both kids were in bed when I got home from work. I managed tonight and informed Matt of my plan and he is supportive. This will work!! Plus I am still blogging, kinda a "me" resolution.

Belated New Years Resolution

I have been giving this a little thought and I think I came up with something satisfactory this morning. I suck at making sure my children brush their teeth on a regular basis. I think my resolution is to make them brush every night before bed. I have done well on my last two resolutions and I think they have carried over into my continued life. Three years ago Matt and I gave up french fries for 1 year, exactly. I was pregnant with Gwendolyn most of that year and the only challenging time was at the Fair and the smell of french fries was overwhelming. I survived, but it was hard. The following year, the year Gwendolyn was born I made a resolution that I would write and mail out thank you cards within two weeks of needing to. I thought that would make me a better person and help create a good habit. In reflection I would say it worked. I have continued to write thank you cards and in a timely manner. My mom encouraged me to write cards as a child/teen but I never did it. I am going for the good example approach and then will insist on it as well. Last year I must not have done anything but be a mom of an infant and toddler, since I cannot remember any resolution.
So, by doing to teeth brushing resolution, I will be creating a good habit for both me and the kids. Owen loves his spinny brush and Gwendolyn has always liked hers. I just need to make it happen and not slack. I have always been a morning brusher, right after the shower, so it will be good for me too.

As I was taking a bath with Gwendolyn last night (fun treat if Owen is already in bed) she felt the stubbles on my legs. Give me a break kid, it is January in Alaska, you wouldn't shave either. Conversation goes something like this:
GM - why do you have bubbles on your legs?
Mom - LOL
GM - why are you funny?
Mom - I'm not funny, your funny!!
GM - I'm not funny, your funny!!!
Mom - Those aren't bubbles, they are hair, mommy needs to shave her legs.

I love toddler conversation, so precious.

Another on the way to Grandmas house this morning is one I have heard alot over the last year. I don't know that I have ever said this to her, but she must hear it from somewhere.
Owen - blahblahblahblah
Gwendolyn - I heard you Owen, I heard you the first time.

Where does she get this stuff??

Oh, I love my new message board siggy, thanks Lisa

My Celebrity Self

Quite amusing if I don't say so myself. Back in my young, wild days, I had a few different men come onto me with a statement that I looked like Mariah Carey, but I think it was the hair at that point.

Christmas 2006 - AKA Overkill

As you can see, I went overboard, again. The poor kids still have presents under the tree that they haven't show any interest in opening. I think I am going to put them in my closet for next year, they'll never know. Gwendolyn got a doll house with all the trimming as her big Santa gift and Owen got an addition to his Thomas the Train wooden track. Like he cares at this point, but someday he'll like it. Little boys are hard to buy for. It seems all the aisles at the stores are geared for baby dolls or older boy toys like GI Joe action stuff. He had all of Gwendolyns baby toys and ride on and walk with stuff, so no need there. Poor second child.
I picked up a big toy box at Value Village this morning, so hopefully my living room will regain some sense of order. I feel like I am continually living in a state of clutter. I admit I am a packrat and that is a big step for me. I always feel like I would need that precious item in the future, so I better just hold on to it. Or, it was such a good deal that I just HAD to buy it for the someday-in-the-future need. Matt is starting to comment on it. His garage is not good example of no clutter. That makes us a good fit for each other. I have taken a liking to bargain shopping, such as thrift shops and garage sales. I do have to admit that I feel a little dirty after being in any thrift shop and I need to wash my hands. I like to find good deals for myself or even others. I bought a bassinet for a lady at my Church this morning, who is down on her luck and due in April. I like the feeling I get from helping others, all warm and fuzzy like.

I have a bridal shower and bachelorette party tonight. The bachelorette portion is called "wiggin out" and we are all to wear wigs and go party in the stretch Hummer. I don't know that I will do that part, no wig and no all night energy. I had a wig to borrow, but didn't follow up on it in time. I think some wine at the shower will do me just fine. It is for Karina Vogel, who is getting married in Alyeska on New Years Eve. I need to remember my camera.

Two days in a row, woohoo a new record for blogging.

It'a been a while

Hello strange world of blogging that I have abandoned. I like to read others blogs, but am lame about upkeep of my own. I was never good at keeping a journal as a child, so don't know why I though I would be good at this.
As you can see I survived a year of parenting two. Gwendolyn is still a ball of energy, but a blessing at that. She is trying to exert her opinion and test out feelings. If she doesn't get something she wants, she will resort to the statement "you make me sad" with a bottom lip sticking out for emphasis. Doesn't make it far, but it is kinda cute. She is mostly good with Owen, though he still gets knocked down on occasion. She has been completely day potty trained since between 2 & 2 1/2. I haven't pushed for night training, since I don't want to get up at night after just getting Owen to sleep all night. She has reached the point of being able to answer direct questions, "how are you?" will get an answer not a repeat. She loves Buzz Lightyear and singing Jesus Loves Me. About a month ago she started coming to our bed in the middle of the night to sleep with us. While cute, it is not something we want to encourage. She might stay with us for a while, but we end up sending her back because she does not share well.

As for Owen, he is still Momma's boy. He had a rough start into 1. Right after his birthday he ended up with a stomache bug that had him throwing up for 5 days, with runs ontop of that. His birthday was very fun with lots of kids and activities (floam critters). We went to the Dr for his 1 year check-up and shots the following Tuesday. The appt went well enough, but they were concerned about his lack of weight gain. He went from the 75% to less than the 5% during his year of life. What can I say, he doens't like to eat food. More on that later. So we get the news that we have to go get blood drawn after his shots to test his thyroid. Yippyy. Soo...I am trying to get him partially dressed in preparation for his shot. I reach to the floor for his socks and let go of his legs to get that extra inch of reach and flip he goes off the table! Onto his poor forehead. I felt like an ass and he cried so hard. Feeling like an ass and him not reacting bad, besides crying, I didn't admit it to the Dr. Poor choice and I know it. Anyhow, shots and blood draw later, then onto home. Early the next morning I hear retching over the moniter and go to check, but don't feel anything in his crib so I go back to bed. When he gets up for the day I see vomit all over him and the bed. Poor baby is sick and starts to retch on me. I send Gwendolyn and Duke down to Grandmas with Matt. I call the Dr to see if he is reacting to the shots or the drop on the head or just a bug. They are concerned and want me to rush there. I am borderline hysterical, so Matt meets me there. He is fine, but has a stomache bug. During his 5 days of vomiting, he lost a precious pound off his already small body. He weighed 18lb 5oz at his year checkup. We went back a week after the vomiting and he had gained it back, YEA. Now to keep feeding him. He got his first taste of food, rice cereal, at 6 months. Wasn't excited about that very much. I was lucky if I could get a small jar of food into him for the next 4 months. He still nursed lots and that is where he was getting 90% of his nutrients. He is now actively opening his mouth for a spoonful of food, but he is still a very picky eater and not very trustworthy of what you are offering him. I would estimate that 90% of what he eats now, foodwise, is jarred baby food. Not very into what is on anyones plate yet. He took his first few steps a couple days before his birthday, but being sick derailed that talent. He is just now at 13 months getting really confident and walking across rooms and turning. Crawling is still the fast method. His first word was Momma :) followed by ball (loves balls), then bye. Aapa (his second favorite adult) swears that he said Aapa last night when he was over to visit. He gives high fives and waves bye and is giving a silly grin that shows off his one top tooth, kinda wrinkled nose and snaggle tooth like. Adorable. He is always interested in whatever his big sister is playing with, of course.



I think that is a fair update of my kiddos and what they are doing. I will try to keep a better blog going. Maybe if I don't mention that I have it going again I will do better, not likely, but maybe. Personally I think it is a little depressing to see everyone else getting blog rolled and me not, but then I try to remember that I don't update often enough to get included in on the fun. But, on the other hand, I think I would update more if I though I had people reading what I was writing. Blogging shouldn't be a popularity contest, but it can feel like one. There, I bore a portion of my insecure soul for you :) don't tell anyone.

My Babies Birthdays

For Gwendolyn

You entered: 3/8/2004
Your date of conception was on or about 16 June 2003 which was a Monday.
You were born on a Mondayunder the astrological sign Pisces.
Your Life path number is 8.
The Julian calendar date of your birth is 2453072.5.
The golden number for 2004 is 10.
The epact number for 2004 is 8.
The year 2004 was a leap year.
Your birthday falls into the Chinese year beginning 1/22/2004 and ending 2/8/2005.
You were born in the Chinese year of the Monkey.
The date of Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 11 April 2004.
The date of Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent) on your birth year was Wednesday 25 February 2004.
The date of Whitsun (Pentecost Sunday) in the year of your birth was Sunday 30 May 2004.
The date of Whisuntide in the year of your birth was Sunday 6 June 2004.
The date of Rosh Hashanah in the year of your birth was Thursday, 16 September 2004.
The date of Passover in the year of your birth was Tuesday, 6 April 2004.
The date of Mardi Gras on your birth year was Tuesday 24 February 2004.
As of 2/24/2006 8:12:53 PM ESTYou are 1 years old. You are 23 months old.
You are 102 weeks old.
You are 718 days old.You are 17,252 hours old.
You are 1,035,132 minutes old.You are 62,107,973 seconds old.
Your age is the equivalent of a dog that is 0.281017612524462 years old. (You're just a pup!)
There are 12 days till your next birthdayon which your cake will have 2 candles.
Those 2 candles produce 2 BTUs,or 504 calories of heat (that's only 0.5040 food Calories!) .
You can boil 0.23 US ounces of water with that many candles.
In 2004 there were 4,091,063 births in the US.
In 2004 the US population was approximately 281,421,906 people, 79.6 persons per square mile.
In 2004 in the US there were approximately 2,181,000 marriages (7.4%) and — divorces (3.7%)
In 2004 in the US there were approximately 2,423,000 deaths (8.3 per 1000)
In the US a new person is born approximately every 8 seconds.
In the US one person dies approximately every 12 seconds.
Your birthstone is Aquamarine The Mystical properties of Aquamarine
Aquamarine is often used to experience love and mercy. It is said to help ease depression and grief.Some lists consider these stones to be your birthstone. (Birthstone lists come from Jewelers, Tibet, Ayurvedic Indian medicine, and other sources)
Jade, Rock Crystal, BloodstoneYour birth tree is
Weeping Willow, the Melancholy
Beautiful but full of melancholy, attractive, very empathic, loves anything beautiful and tasteful, loves to travel, dreamer, restless, capricious, honest, can be influenced but is not easy to live with, demanding, good intuition, suffers in love but finds sometimes an anchoring partner.
There are 304 days till Christmas 2006!
There are 317 days till Orthodox Christmas!
The moon's phase on the day you wereborn was waning gibbous.

For Owen

You entered: 11/24/2005
Your date of conception was on or about 3 March 2005 which was a Thursday.
You were born on a Thursdayunder the astrological sign Sagittarius.
Your Life path number is 6.
The Julian calendar date of your birth is 2453698.5.
The golden number for 2005 is 11.
The epact number for 2005 is 19.
The year 2005 was not a leap year.
Your birthday falls into the Chinese year beginning 2/9/2005 and ending 1/28/2006.
You were born in the Chinese year of the Rooster.
The date of Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 27 March 2005.
The date of Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent) on your birth year was Wednesday 9 February 2005.
The date of Whitsun (Pentecost Sunday) in the year of your birth was Sunday 15 May 2005.
The date of Whisuntide in the year of your birth was Sunday 22 May 2005.
The date of Rosh Hashanah in the year of your birth was Monday, 3 October 2005.
The date of Passover in the year of your birth was Saturday, 23 April 2005.
The date of Mardi Gras on your birth year was Tuesday 8 February 2005.
As of 2/24/2006 8:14:15 PM ESTYou are 0 years old.
You are 3 months old.
You are 13 weeks old.
You are 92 days old.
You are 2,228 hours old.
You are 133,694 minutes old.
You are 8,021,655 seconds old.
Your age is the equivalent of a dog that is 3.60078277886497E-02 years old. (You're just a pup!)
There are 273 days till your next birthdayon which your cake will have 1 candles.
Those 1 candles produce 1 BTUs,or 252 calories of heat (that's only 0.2520 food Calories!) .
You can boil 0.11 US ounces of water with that many candles.
In 2005 there were 4,091,063 births in the US.
In 2005 the US population was approximately 281,421,906 people, 79.6 persons per square mile.
In 2005 in the US there were approximately 2,181,000 marriages (7.4%) and — divorces (3.7%)
In 2005 in the US there were approximately 2,423,000 deaths (8.3 per 1000)
In the US a new person is born approximately every 8 seconds.
In the US one person dies approximately every 12 seconds.
Your birthstone is Citrine The Mystical properties of Citrine
Citrine is said to help one connect with Spirit. Some lists consider these stones to be your birthstone. (Birthstone lists come from Jewelers, Tibet, Ayurvedic Indian medicine, and other sources)
Yellow Topaz, Pearl, Diamond
Your birth tree is
Ash Tree, the Ambition
Uncommonly attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with its fate, can be egoistic, very reliable and trustworthy, faithful and prudent lover, sometimes brains rule over heart, but takes partnership very serious.
There are 304 days till Christmas 2006!
There are 317 days till Orthodox Christmas!
The moon's phase on the day you wereborn was in its last quarter.

My birthday facts

http://www.paulsadowski.com/birthday.asp

You entered: 8/30/1975
Your date of conception was on or about 7 December 1974 which was a Saturday.
You were born on a Saturdayunder the astrological sign Virgo.
Your Life path number is 6.
The Julian calendar date of your birth is 2442654.5.
The golden number for 1975 is 19.
The epact number for 1975 is 17.
The year 1975 was not a leap year.
Your birthday falls into the Chinese year beginning 2/11/1975 and ending 1/30/1976.
You were born in the Chinese year of the Rabbit.
The date of Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 30 March 1975.
The date of Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent) on your birth year was Wednesday 12 February 1975.
The date of Whitsun (Pentecost Sunday) in the year of your birth was Sunday 18 May 1975.
The date of Whisuntide in the year of your birth was Sunday 25 May 1975.
The date of Rosh Hashanah in the year of your birth was Saturday, 6 September 1975.
The date of Passover in the year of your birth was Thursday, 27 March 1975.
The date of Mardi Gras on your birth year was Tuesday 11 February 1975.
As of 2/24/2006 7:57:43 PM ESTYou are 30 years old.
You are 366 months old.You are 1,591 weeks old.
You are 11,136 days old.You are 267,283 hours old.
You are 16,037,037 minutes old.You are 962,222,263 seconds old.
Your age is the equivalent of a dog that is 4.35851272015656 years old. (You're still chasing cats!)
There are 187 days till your next birthdayon which your cake will have 31 candles.
Those 31 candles produce 31 BTUs,or 7,812 calories of heat (that's only 7.8120 food Calories!) .
You can boil 3.54 US ounces of water with that many candles.
In 1975 there were approximately 3.1 million births in the US.In 1975 the US population was approximately 203,302,031 people, 57.4 persons per square mile.
In 1975 in the US there were approximately 2,152,662 marriages (10.1%) and 1,036,000 divorces (4.9%)
In 1975 in the US there were approximately 1,921,000 deaths (9.5 per 1000)
In the US a new person is born approximately every 8 seconds.
In the US one person dies approximately every 12 seconds.
Your birthstone is Peridot
The Mystical properties of Peridot
Peridot is used to help dreams become a reality.
Some lists consider these stones to be your birthstone. (Birthstone lists come from Jewelers, Tibet, Ayurvedic Indian medicine, and other sources)
Sardonyx, Diamond, Jade
Your birth tree is
Pine Tree, the Particularity
Loves agreeable company, very robust, knows how to make life comfortable, very active, natural, good companion, but seldom friendly, falls easily in love but its passion burns out quickly, gives up easily, many disappointments till it finds its ideal, trustworthy, practical.
There are 304 days till Christmas 2006!
There are 317 days till Orthodox Christmas!
The moon's phase on the day you wereborn was waning crescent.

Changing Everyday

Just shy of 23 months, Gwendolyn started forming sentences with all her little words.  It is amazing to watch her continue to learn and expand.  For being an independant child, she is trying even harder.  Now she has to try doing all the dressing and shoe putting-on.  My lesson, plan far ahead, don't need to leave the house fast, at all.  Won't happen.  She has been great about the whole potty training plan, usually telling me when she has to go,  For the past week she has had the stomache flu/runs.  Practically every hour, she needed to go potty.  She always knew in enough advance to tell me.  The only problem this has caused is she doesn't ask to go potty now unless it involves some "action".  This means no more peeing on the potty.  I Guess I would rather change wet diapers than stinky.

Owen has been real good to me the last few nights and slept a 5 hour stretch.  Sleep is fabulous, in my book.  He is 2 1/2 months and that is also when Gwendolyn started sleeping in a longer stretch like that.  I hope he takes on her napping abilities.  Right now he likes to nap while being held, preferably by me.  argggg  That means I get nothing done during that time.  He has pretty good control of holding his head up, there is still a little bobble on occasion.  Mornings are his happy time, but he is still a night owl.  I look forward to the day when he wants to go to sleep before 8pm, not after 10pm.  I am still waiting for him to decide if he wants to be a thumb or finger sucker.  He is constantly putting the side of his hand in his mouth and trying to suck.  At his 2 month check he was 11 lb 4 oz.

We are flying out to Spokane in 3 days with my mom and sister in law and her baby.  Should be interesting.

Native girl

Just some recent Gwendolyn shots in her parka and kuspuk.

Time flies

Owen is now 2 months old.

He is 11 lb 4 oz and 22 inches.  We are doing wonderful, busy but wonderful.  2 kids under 2 is a huge handful.  Gwendolyn loves on him more than she hits him, most days.  Yesterday she tested my patience alllll day long, wow she sure was a terrible twos all day.  Today she dragged poor Owen off the couch and dropped him on the floor.  She just doesn't get it.  Bless her heart, she has good intentions, but bad thoughts.

Owen is sure a mommas boy.  I blame Gwendolyn for that.  I can't leave Owen laying anywhere for fear she will hit him or try to take him somewhere.  So he is always in my arms.  That is where he prefers to sleep as well, next to me in bed.  We have made huge steps the last few days.  He has slept in the bassinet for 3/4 of the night the last 2 nights.  Such progress.  I am afraid if I don't work on this now, he will always need me next to him to sleep or he will always be in our bed.  I think that time is important for a couple.

Introducing Owen Andrew

Born Thanksgiving day at 6:55 pm
7 lb 1 oz and 20 inches
Happy, healthy, hungry baby boy. He would be happiest if he was always nursing, little piglet.
We are home and awaiting the arrival of Gwendolyn and the loss of my sanity. She came to the hospital yesterday and met baby brother. She was much more impressed with her new baby dolly, than her baby brother. Though she did not try to hit him, good sign.
Labor was about 15 hours and I would have stayed home longer and relaxed, but I was group B strep postive this time so needed the antibiotic. I had an epideral that lasted till the last 1/2 hour.

So now we settle into routine.

 

That was the message I sent out on Saturday to friends and family.  We are still doing great.  Went to the Dr. today and he is 6 lb 12 oz. 

Gwendolyn is doing pretty good.  She likes to love on him, but does not realize how fragile he is and how strong she is.  She will try to shove him out of the way if she wants my lap.  She is very curious when he is nursing.  Always asking "bite?".  My answer had been no, baby is eating and we can get you some big girl lunch.  Well today when she asked bite when he was nursing, she leaned over and tried to take a bite out of my arm.  Apparently I am a chew toy.

Sleep is a precious commodity and I am off to invest.

What happy bunny are you?

http://www.youthink.com/quiz.asp?action=take&quiz_id=204
Cut and paste the above link, because I suck at this blogging code stuff, and go see what kind of bunny you are.

What "Happy Bunny" phrase are you? you suck and that's sad You are a very compassionate and sympathetic person. You use your divine sense of humor to cheer up a situation.

She is getting better

Baby Matia was over to our house last night and Gwendolyn didn't try to hit her once. Such progress!!!! I held the baby, Matt, both Grandpas and various other relatives held her. No screaming, crying, hitting. This is great!! I have stepped up the baby talk and be gentle stuff. Hasn't helped Dukes destiny too much, she still picks on him, but something sunk in for the baby.

We had a nice Halloween. Went to a carnival with some cousins. Most of it was too old for Gwendolyn, but we still had fun. Went and got her picture taken in the outfit that Grandma Mary made for her. She was great.

You can tell she was mid laugh and happy. Love this picture.

I'm an Auntie...

and I hadn't even managed to come here and announce it. Well.....
To back up, I just found out that SIL is not is labor, mainly because the baby turned in the last couple weeks. They are going to a Dr tomorrow to try and turn the baby. If unsuccessful, she will have to have a c-section tomorrow. If successful, she can continue on till labor happens naturally. Come next tuesday, she will be 2 weeks overdue and will lose her option of the birth center.She is a very "natural" person and this is really upset with this turn of events. It is bad enough that she may have to have the baby at the hospital, but to face a c-section is awful.They tried the "natural" approach of hips in the air at the birth center.She is seeing an accupuncturist this evening, upon recommendation of the birth center. Finally, she has an appt with a dr tomorrow to try and do the version turn (manual pressing on the stomach to turn baby).
No new major news yet, just an update. The role of the accupuncurist is to encourage the baby to curl into a little ball, via needles and heat (by the little toes). This makes the turning more manageable. She is to call the womens center at the hospital this morning and see how many beds they have open. Since she is not in labor this is not considered high priority and they will reschedule for monday. Erin is not opposed to this, gives her more time to work things on her own. Wants to make sure that the dr is not going to insist that they just do a c section today without trying the version. It is a big baby and it is folded in half, feet up by head, which is next to her left rib. Unsure how long baby has been like that. Had her first U/S this week. The midwife had thought that baby was dropped a few weeks back, when doing a pelvic, so don't think it has been this way forever.
She tried the turning and would now agree with you that trying was not worth it, just get the c-section. But I don't think anyone could of convinced her of that prior.She ended up with a 9lb 8oz baby girl via c-section. Baby was just too big to turn.
It's official, I am finally an auntie Baby girl, was born via c-setion this afternoon. The dr tried turning the breech baby both ways, left and right, no luck. She was 9lb, 8oz and 20 3/4 inches. She came out with rolls on the legs and arms and a double chin. Holy toledo! Mom has flaming red hair and dad has brown with auburn showing through. Baby has brown hair on top with a hint of red by the sideburn area. I expect it will turn red. They are both doing wonderful. Have nursed and were successful. And I have freaking cold coming on and don't want to hold the baby. Dammit
Matia (may-sha) Larkin is her name. Matia is an island in Washington, Erin is from Bellingham. It is also a spanish name and is pronounced differently in Mexico.
I don't have any pictures with me and her yet. I have gotten over my cold and been able to see her a few times. She is already outgrown newborn diapers, wow. She was born Oct 14th.

Blogger personality

My Bloginality is ISFJ!!!
As an ISFJ, you are Introverted, Sensing, Feeling, and Judging.This makes your primary focus on Introverted Sensing with Extraverted Feeling.
Hmmmm...is that me??

Advice solicited

I am 36 weeks pregnant and Gwendolyn FREAKS if I hold a baby. Freak in the sense that we had tears, drool, snot, and swinging punches at the poor baby in my arms. She was sitting on Matt's lap halfway through this introduction to her little cousin and all her other immediate family was there watching, so no lack of people to attend to her at the moment. She and I will be a basketcase when baby brother comes home if this is how she reacts to him.
I have been prepping her by pointing out baby brother in my belly, but she also points to grandpas belly and asks "baby?". So I really don't think she comprehends what it means. I refer to many things around the house as baby brothers...... swing, clothes, car seat.
She gets mad if our dog sits in my lap for too long.
Any advice? I am desperate and hormonal.
I have a baby doll purchased that I was going to give to her special. I don't know if I should give it to her prior or at the hospital so she can associate it coming from baby brother. recommendations??
She tries acting maternal by holding things to her chest and rocking them and patting their back, too cute.
I am hoping she reacts different when she meets him in the hospital and he comes home with us, but???? who knows. Any others with experience and advice?

Wanna Race??

Just a nice relaxing fall day. Racing 4-wheelers with Daddy.

Absent no more

I have been in a pregnant 30 year old funk and not felt like writing anything. That is boring and I intend to overcome that. Life is good, still married, still a mom, still pregnant, still working. Here is a tidbit from my life last week..

This morning, after playing out in the new snow, Gwendolyn kept saying potty. I would ask if she needed a new diaper? Did you go potty? Do you need to go potty? After about ten times (I'm pregnant and lazy) with two of them her going to the bathroom door, I finally get up off the floor. We strip off pants and diaper and I set her on the toilet. Sure as sh*t, she tinkled. I start praising and kissing her, not letting go and having her fall in though. She was excited that she got to use toilet paper for what it is designated, wiping - not eating. I took her to her room for a new diaper after that, all the while telling her that she would get a potty treat. Forgetting to flush, which is one of her favorite things to do, we head back to the bathroom for the symbolic flush (so exciting). She, in the meantime, has not forgotten the promised potty treat and is making sure I didn't either. "potty treat, potty treat"?? Off to the pantry to see what would qualify as a potty treat (saw my cousin doing this while training her 3 yr old girl, what the heck) out we come with fruit snacks. I then proceed to call both grandmas and DH. I have since been to wal-mart for child-butt sized seats for the toilets. I never thought that I would have one out of diapers before the other got here. Not to disillusion myself, I know this won't happen overnight. I suppose I ought to read a little bit about potty training, now that it is a reality

Now, mind you, I went and spent $50 on Dora toilet seats for our house and the grandparents houses, no more pee yet. We try a few times a day and she is very excited to see Dora and will even ask to go potty, but no more pee. Oh well, it is a slow process.

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of a niece or nefew (however the hell you spell that word). Baby raspberry is due any day now. So exciting.


Gwendolyn went golfing with her Daddy, Uncle Marwan and Aapa (grandpa in Eskimo) on Sept 20th




This is the following day. No more golfing

As for pregnancy, I am almost 33 weeks, if you go by the Thanksgiving due date. Dr says I am measuring right on schedule and baby not too big not too small. I thought Gwendolyn was a very manageable size at 6lb 10oz and 19.5 inches. So I am hoping for him to be in that range. He is currently head down, good exit plan, and quite active. I have gained 14 pounds, which is 2 more than I gained during all of Gwendolyns pregnancy. He makes me hungrier, more often though, so not suprised.

Busy as I am, I vow to make more of an effort to visit.

Weekend away with Matt

We had a wonderful time on our weekend away. The weather was very nice on Saturday for the wedding, which was good since it was an outdoor wedding. We took advantage of the nice setting for some pictures.



I think I like this one best, but the color is not fabulous.

We are sitting on a rickety old wooden chair and I wasn't confident it would hold one person, let alone 2.5 people.

The reception site had a little pond and a creek running by. It was pretty darn cold by night time, but they had little heaters placed around. The wedding was nice. We were 2 of 5 people (excluding family) from Fairbanks, which is where the bride is from, so I am glad we made the effort to attend. With time to kill in Anchorage on Sunday and no baby, we went to a movie. We watched 40 year old virgin. It was funny, but not hilarious. I wish we would have been able to see Wedding Crashers instead. Matt was able to experience what it will be like with more kids around. All three little Bennett kids came in to wake us up on Saturday and snuggle. They knocked and I said yes. Such sweet kids.
Gwendolyn was very happy to see us. She was a little mommy clingy this morning, daddy wasn't going to cut it for anything. She has learned that please comes after more and she is much more likely to get what she is asking for. "more please", too cute.

Final Fling

Matt and I are going away for the weekend. We are flying to Anchorage tonight after work. We have a wedding to attend at Alyeska Ski Resort, no there is no snow right now, on saturday evening. I have booked us a B&B with our own jacuzzi for saturday night. Yep, I'll enjoy 5 minutes at a time and not cook the little man. Tried on 8 dresses last night, feelin like a cow. At least the wedding party is wearing black, so I can get away with flattering black and not feel like I am being morbid.We will probably go out to dinner tonight in Anchorage to the Outback. Love that place!! Yummy. This will be our/my last time away before baby is born, I am assuming. So I plan to enjoy the hell out of it, leave my 20's with a (sober) bang. 4 days till my 30's begin....

Baby naming quiz

So we are still nowhere with a boys name, go figure. I just opened an e-mail from American Baby that said it had a quiz to help you name your child. 12 questions and this is what it spits out.

You were probably pretty popular during your teenage years -- wore all the hip clothes, went to all the best parties, and dated the quarterback of the football team. If you want your child to be the best-liked kid in his or her class, you should consider baby names that people associate with being kind, popular, fun, attractive, and stylish.

OK, thanks. I know I was popular and liked to party, but give me a name dammit. I am already TRYING to come up with something that is associated with being kind, fun, attractive, and stylish. But what is that. I don't want something that there will be 5 of in the classroom, nor do I want something so off the wall that it is lame. You are giving this little person an identity for the rest of their lives, like it or not. It has to get them through childhood and still be a good grown-up name. Ugghhhh, suggestions???

Suprise follow-up

It went off like a charm!!!!He was very suprised and excited I think he slept about 1 hour that night, he was like a little kid wanting to play with his new toy (or me, in gratitude, get away buddy - it is 2 am) I didn't have many lights on in the garage, didn't want to seem to obvious, so the quality of the picture isn't the greatest.

His coming in the door with a dumbfounded look on his face. He said I suprised him, being there, and then it dawned on him what I was sitting on


He is walking around me and the 4 wheeler in awe. I placed a video camera on the keg cooler located behind him, pointed at the door. Yes, we have a keg cooler in the garage, no we are not alcoholics.


Him on his new toy. I think he read the whole manual that night and started it like 4 times, just to rev it up. The messy garage is his fault, his domain, his responsibilty. Anyhow, went very well and he didn't expect it. This is his birthday, christmas, anniversary, and fathers day for the next 4 years. Yeah right, I'll still get him stuff, but nothing huge. I like that he felt the need to comment that he would get me back someday. woohoo, can't wait for that day. Now, we will see how he does with my big 3-0 in a couple weeks.
So my Dad calls the following morning to see what Matts reaction was. I put Matt on the phone to talk and the second questiom my dad asked was "was she naked"? Damn Dad. Does this make him a pervert for thinking I might/should have or does it make me a pervert for thinking about doing it??
He was waiting to patiently for me to get home from work yesterday and take over with Gwendolyn. He so badly wanted to ride his new toy before all my family came over for dinner and someone asked to ride it. he wanted to be the first. Such a big kid.
He has been riding it for about an hour each night to add on some miles. You can't open the engine up fully till you have 100 miles on it and he intends on going hunting in a couple weeks and will ride it hard then. The first time I saw him come back to the house he didn't have a helmet on and I tore into him. He easily conceeded saying since I bought it for him, he would wear a helmet for me. Good, I don't want to raise two kids on my own.

Suprise for Matt

Matt has been whining for months that he wants/needs a 4-wheeler. This is a seasonal request mind you. Other times it is a new boat or a new snowmachine. He went and priced out and compared all the different brands a couple weeks ago and was still contemplating the if he should part. Is it necessary? can we afford it (I pay the bills, he is in the dark)? do I really want one? All those stupid questions. I had been mentally plotting for a couple weeks that I would go buy it when he was out of town fishing. Today I did. I have it in the garage and will be waiting on it, with a camera when he arrives home. I plan to lock the overhead garage door, so he has to use the "man" door. Where I will be sitting in wait, hehe. If I didn't feel so non-sexy pregnant , I would put more thought into sitting on it naked, just for the shock effect. He is going to be soooo stoked. This better earn me a fabulous 30th birthday in a couple weeks, otherwise I am taking it back. My dad is supposed to call me when Matt drops him off. I have at least an hour to wait still. Its killing me I will post pictures tomorrow of his suprised look, if all goes according to plan.

2nd Place baby

Just for giggles, we entered Gwendolyn in the baby contest at the State Fair on Sunday. She was in the 13-18 month division. Out of 39 contestant she won the most talkative, go figure. She waved at all the judges and said bye-bye, bye-bye as we walked past. On top of that she won 2nd place for the division. Yea Gwendolyn. That earned her a ribbon and a little gold ring that actually fits her ring finger. I was very happy with 2nd place, 1st meant we had to come back for more at 8pm and she is just not so cute then. So, that was our adventuresome afternoon. I was amazed to win, not that I don't think she is adorable, but there were tons of pagenty moms and kids there. I kid you not, there was a poor toddler in a gown and tiara and one in a tux. Did they place? No. Poor judges probably felt sorry for them. I just spit shined mine and marched her out there for fun, not competition. Its a state fair, for crying out loud.

What I came home to yesterday

I am assuming Matt knows how to spell and these were the only letters he could come up with.  Either way you look at it, I was tickled that he thought to make this for me.  This was waiting for me at the top of the stairs.  I am amazed Gwendolyn left it alone long enough.  The man is working on earning brownie points all right.  He must really want that new 4-wheeler.

Sweet husband - baby name

I get bummed with Matt when he doesn't leave his hand on my belly long enough to actually feel the baby kick. He will put it there for a minute and then take it away with or without a kick felt. He did the same with Gwendolyn. He was interested but, not overly if you catch my drift. With Gwendolyn we knew what the name would be for a girl all along, so we had no major name discusions. Saturday night, Matt and I were going to take a jacuzzi bath and I grab a magazine to read and he comes in with the baby name book and proceedes read through all the boy names out loud and we discuss any possibilities (essencially none, boy names are lame). I was just tickled that he took the initiative. I was laying in bed later that night smiling with my eyes closed and he called me on it. I admitted that it was his gesture that put the smile on my face.
Don't get me wrong, we still have no name for a baby boy, but Matt was still sweet. I need to get another book, apparently 15,000 names are not enough, though well more than half were girls names.

Carnival Picture

I look fat and she looks grumpy with her wrinkled nose look, but what the hell, we are in a picture together.  I really do have hair, but it is all pulled back.  This was taken at a kids carnival I was working at.

TV watching toddler

I have been so excited that my little girl and wanted nothing to do with watching tv. Sure there are times I would like her to sit still and not need me or play. Hey, I like to cook dinner in peace. last week she sat on my lap and watched 15 minutes of Dora. That is the most yet. i had tried Baby Einstein and she could care less, fine by me. She spent the morning with my mom today and is starting to get a cold/runny nose, so was a little tender. I just spoke with mom and she said Gwendolyn loved watching Barney, watched for half an hour. Great, it has to be the big lame purple dianosar that catches her attention. Baby Einstein I liked, Barney I loath. Matt will be real happy with this turn of events, I'm sure. I can tell you there will never be a tv in her room while she is in my house. Dang, that sounded very parent like.

Had a very successful weekend of shopping in Anchorage with Erin. We filled the back of the car and didn't even have any big items. Went to lunch with some girlfriends and had a fun visit. Anchorage has lots to offer, but I still like the pace of Fairbanks better. We are going to dinner at Marwan and Erins' tonight. Enchiladas, yummy. Hope Gwendolyn behaves herself in a non-childproof house. At least it is her aunt and uncles place. They are long-term housesitters, so none of the crap is even theirs. It will be so nice when we both have new little babies. I saw a 6 week old yesterday, so little and sweet. I miss when Gwendolyn was immobile. As I am sure I will miss when she couldn't talk and won't shut up now.

Oh well, the trials and tribulations of kids.

Belly shots at 21 weeks

I made Matt take a couple pictures of me last night. Not the greatest in clarity, but what can you do. As of last week, I have gained 3 pounds and have felt little man kicking around since 18 weeks on a regular basis. The heartbeat from the ultrasound was 146. I was never given a number with Gwendolyn. I wish I would have measured my belly at the end of my last pregnancy so I have something to compare to.

I look veiny, yuck

Gwendolyn is curious about belly buttons. She has no concept that mama has a baby in her belly. She has been good with babies lately, though she needs to learn to be a little more gentle. That will come with consistant time around baby brother. I bought a few boy pj's and outfits at the used place yesterday. I bought a fair amount for Gwendolyn and then was given tons of fabulous hand-me-downs. She has so much clothes, it is ridiculous!!! There are tons of things that I never tooks the tags off, that I have given away. Why use the brand new that I bought when there are so many great used ones. If something was given to us, I will wash and put her in it, but if it was one I bought-I regift. There I admit it, I regift. That is a load off. Does it really count when I am regifting something I bought in the first place?

It's a BOY

I as still in a little shock, I had resigned myself to it being a girl. All the old wives tales pointed to a girl. I thought Gwendolyn was going to be a boy and she wasn't and I thought this one was going to be a girl, so I should have known it would be a boy. Matt is beaming proud. I know he wanted a boy. I only cared because I knew Matt wanted a boy so bad. I had gotten used to thinking of the baby as Trinity, our girl name. Now we need to narrow down our boy choices. We like Blake, my favorite last time
Blaise, but just heard that is the name of a character in the new Harry Potter and it will become popular
Troy
Harley, but our last name is Bunch, so I don't know what I think of that.
It is nice to know gender ahead of time and have the luxary of weighing these heavy choices. Now to shop for blue clothes. My sister-in-law and I are going to Anchorage (350 miles) to shop for baby stuff this next weekend. No baby, should be very nice.
Since Matt is not home to take a picture of my belly, I will post another picture of Gwendolyn.

Rainy 4th of July Parade in Ketchikan

Matt and Gwendolyn

Ketchikan vacation

We had a very successful two week vacation with the inlaws.  We rented a 27 ' motorhome and drove through Canada to catch the ferry to Ketchikan.  The driving was 2 and 1/2 days each way and the ferry was 6 hours, not too bad.  Gwendolyn tolerated it.  She is way too active of a child to be retrained for long.  Unfortunatly, she learned to throw her body over the portable crib on the drive home, no longer containable.  Damn monkey!!  It rained the whole time we were there, but what do you expect in a temperate rain forrest?  Oh well, we still had fun.  There was a parade on the 4th and Gwendolyn was happy in the backpack the whole time, surprise.  We also learned that she has enough hair to create pigtails, yea!  I am in none of the pictures, yet again.  The husband of mine needs to learn to pick up the camera, though he will say I need to tell him to take pictures.  That always makes me feel conceited.  Right before we left the in-laws learned that their taxes were wrong a few years back and they got a few extra thousand dollars back, we didn't pay for a thing on vacation.  So nice!!!

Are you stupid??

I didn't score so well, but hey it is monday morning and I go on vacation in two days. I borrowed this from Christas' blog, just for fun. I also have a fun new sling coming from Christa that I can use now with Gwendolyn and with the new baby. BB2 was kicking me in the bladder the other night. Such an amazing feeing, not having to pee, but feeling a life growing inside you.

Puffy Baby Picture

She looks worse today, the puffiness is creeping down into her eye lids. The dr put her on antibiotics today with concern for staf and the swelling not having gone down. I feel so bad for her. I don't know if it hurts or itches, but she seems bothered by it. Poor baby
We bought the mosquito machine and it cost $500 , but it is eating them already.
Keep us in your prayers that the swelling goes down.

Damn Mosquitos

We spent the morning in the Dr.s office. What I thought was a goose egg on Gwendolyns forehead from a fall was in fact a bug bite. This morning her whole forehead was swollen about an inch out and was about to creep down into her eyes. Talk about panic, but kept my cool overall, hormonal as I am. We got into the Dr and he said she just reacts bad to mosquitos, thank that part has been obvious for a while. Any bite she gets swell to twice the size it sould be and gets a scabby head to it. She never seems bothered by them and was mildly bothered by her forehead. The head/face being so vascular makes them react different. He put her on Zyrtec for 5 days and gave us more to use sporadically for the rest of summer. I have to watch her forehead and if it turns bright red and seems painful, then it could have turned into staf infection. He does not recommend using bug dope at all because of the deet, just to keep her covered. Dh is at the store right now to buy a mosquito machine. They are said to eliminate all mosquitos within an acre. You empty out a bagfull every day or so. I would say $300 is worth a normal headed baby. Is you are unaware, Alaska is the mosquito capital of the World, they are everywhere!!!!

My interview

Elaine, per my request on her blog. She asked me these questions. My answers are below. If you want to be interviewed, let me know in the comments, and I'll give you some questions. Rules follow my q&a

1.When Gwendolyn was born, what was the first thing you remember saying to her?
My first statement in general was "how big is she?" but I remember telling her she didn't have to cry, that she didn't receive the big Cross ears. Most of my moms sibling have big ears that stick out and that was one of the first things my mom did, pull back her hat and look at her ears with relief. I am positive I said some endearing things prior to that, I remember kissing her, but that is my first active memory.
2. How did you meet your husband?
Matt and I knew of each other, due to this being a smallish town. Both he and my brother are hockey players and that is a "group" here. We went to different high schools, but had some mutual friends during and after high school. My boyfriend during college ended up hanging out with matt and his friends while snowmachining, but he never wanted me around for those things, butthead. Matt was waiting and ready to persue me once we broke up. He gave it a two month grace period then jumped in. We would all hang out at a local sports bar and discovered that him and I were the only two people who had not seen Titanic, so off we went alone to a movie. A few days after that he call to ask me to go to Arctic Man (snowmachine race out of town - like sturgis for harley people), I agreed. My comment to my mom after hanging up the phone was "this won't be serious, he snores". 7 years later we are married with 1 1/2 kids and he still snores.
3. If you could go back to one point in your life and have a “do over” would you and what point would it be?
I would go back to the start of High School and make better choices. Though I may not be the person I am today without those experiences. In Jr High I was on the Gymnastics team and enjoyed cross country skiing and looked forward to going out for that team in High School. Instead, I started smoking and sneaking out and making dumb choices. I often wonder who I would be now if I had made better choices then. I feel I do a great job of helping people in my job and personal life and love the friends I still have from that time frame, so no regrets.
4. Your blog says, “I have shot and killed a Black Bear.” Tell us about this. In May of 2000 my Dad and I went to Valdez to pick up two of my cousins. They had kayaked out past Columbia Glacier for a few days, intending on camping and killing a Black Bear each. Our job was to take the boat out to pick them up, they didn't want to paddle all the way back in. It takes 4 hours or so in the boat to make it to the area. My dad owns and operates a 32 foot charter boat that sleeps 6 people. I bought a hunting license prior to going, thinking I might shoot a bear. We found the boys right where they were supposed to be, each having shot a bear. My dad and I saw at least 10 bears milling around on shore and decided to go for it. We took the dingy (little boat on the back of a big boat) to shore and were watching 4 bears off to the right. I look to the left and see a huge bear by itself. I say what wrong with that one? He says nothing go for it, its huge! I lay down on the beach and sight in the bear with the scope. Amazinly, my first shot was right on the heart and he started flipping all around and scurried off into the woods. My dad could not fathom sending his little girl into the woods to see if this huge bear was dead or not, so he went. He came back dragging the bear and rolling it to get it closer to shore. My cousins came to shore then and I bribed them to skin it for me. I bought them dinner when we got back to town. This may sound gross but, a bear looks very human without the fur, it is odd. Turns out the bear was 6'4", huge for a Black Bear and very old. Bear tastes like what they have been eating and this bear lived on fish. So imagine beef texture and fish taste, nasty. I had lots made into polish sausage, but still never liked it. Matt went down a couple weeks ago to try and kill a bear, but they only saw one mama. So I am still the big huntress of the house. I told him he wasn't allowed to kill one unless it was bigger than mine, fat chance. When we arrived back in the harbor in Valdez we had all three hides hung across the flying bridge (top floor of a boat that has the roof folded down). There were tourists walking to docks and the first to stop saw the hides and commented, ah look a mama bear and her two cubs. That is how much bigger mine was than my cousins. Had that statement been made prior to them skinning it for me, I would have been in a world of hurt.
5. What’s your favorite magazine?
People, I love the sensless celebrity gossip. It is so brain numbing. That and I can usually complete the crossworld puzzle and that makes me feel smart.

The Official Interview Game Rules

1. If you want to participate, leave a comment below saying "interview me."

2. I will respond by asking you five questions - each person's will be different.

3. You will update your journal/blog with the answers to the questions.

4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview others in the same post.

5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

I've been tagged...

Tagged by Nikki...passing on the favor to the 3 at the bottom.The rules are simple when you're tagged.Choose 5 items from the list to write about.Tag 3 other individuals when you're done.
If I could be a scientist...
If I could be a farmer... all my plants would grow with the minimalist of water. That seems to be my current problem.
If I could be a doctor...
If I could be a painter... I would paint building murals that would make people smile when they saw them.
If I could be a gardener...
If I could be a missionary... I would take my family and travel to Mexico and teach how to sustain themselves and better their lives for future generations.
If I could be an athlete...
If I could be a lawyer...I would prosecute all the murderers, child molesters, mean people, rapists.... and always win.
If I could be an innkeeper...
If I could be a professor...
If I could be a writer...
If I could be a llama rider...
If I could be a bonnie pirate...
If I could be an astronaut...
If I could be a world famous blogger...
If I could be a justice on any one court in the world...
If I could be married to any current famous political figure...I don't care who it is, but they would love me and they would make it policy that issurance always covers birth control and men had to struggle to afford viagra.

I am supposed to now pass on my tag, but all the bloggers I know have already been tagged. Maybe I should think up a new tag??