Count my blessings

That is my new motto when it comes to Owen and eating, count my blessings.
I was griping that all the child will eat is baby food, from a jar. If I try to offer him anything from my plate, he turns his head and won't even allow it to graze his lips. He won't even try to taste it, he automatically thinks he won't like it. I don't know what made him think the following food were tolerable to try tasting, but I'll take them. He will eat toast, crackers, pancakes and such, fish sticks, french fries and chicken nuggets. So I lie, he will eat a very limited variety of human food. But at this age Gwendolyn was all over human food and we were past the jarred crap. A fellow mom at the party commented that at least he would willingly eat the jarred stuff, she didn't have that luxery with her baby. When he gave up baby food, he still wouldn't eat human food. She recommended that I count my blessings and I think I need to agree.
Thing is, this child needs to gain weight and being picky isn't helping matters. He gained a pound from is year check-up and the Dr was happy that he gained that much. I was hoping he would have broke the 20 lb mark. He won't drink milk, plain or with carnation instant breakfast, that gets chucked across the room, as does the pediasure.
At least he is eating jarred food, there is always that.

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.