Tuesday, July 27, 2010
New Name
You may have noticed that I changed the name of the blog in an attempt to make the site slightly less Googleable. It used to be that you just type in my full name and my blog came up as the number one hit, so I tried to go through and delete our last name from the blog wherever I could (including the title). We'll see how that goes for a while. Any suggestions on a new name? It's a work in progress.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Creepy Creeptsers
A couple of weeks ago I wrote a new post that was hilarious on all accounts. The story was so funny on its own that I had to do very little in order to make it a masterpiece. I mentioned a while back that a coworker of mine, Andrew, and I successfully planned and executed what was arguably the greatest practical joke on earth. Period. I was cracking up the whole time I wrote and edited the story. As I sat back in my computer chair marveling at my work, I moved the cursor over the "publish post" tab when suddenly the voice of reason popped into my head. It started out as a little whisper and the more I listened the more I realized it was screaming at me DON'T DO IT!
We played this practical joke on another coworker, and even though it was all in good fun, no feelings were hurt, and the world is officially a better place because we did it, I realized that in some circles what we did might be considered grounds for say, I don't know, getting fired? It would be an extreme and unnecessary consequence, sure, but the last thing I want to do is get dooced. On one hand I'm happy that I've grown up enough to realize when I should keep my mouth shut (it only took 26 years), but on the other hand I'm disappointed that I cannot share this delightful story.
Anyway, the whole thing got me to thinking about my blog. Originally I just wanted to journal everything because I never wanted to forget my pregnancy or all of Chloe's milestones. I wanted to share our story with friends and relatives. I thought of how amazing it would be if I could read my grandmother's journal. But this isn't a journal. It's a public forum. The more I thought about it, the more I started freaking out about the fact that any old creepster in the world could log on to the Internet, Google my name, and get my life story. I do, after all, have a history of attracting the creepiest of creepsters.
Like just two years ago I was up in Ludington inspecting a vacant laboratory building for work. The owner of the building had the groundskeeper meet me there and give me a tour. The building had been vacant for years and it was dark and scary on its own. They used to test animals there for Pete's sake. But on top of that I'm walking through the building with this textbook redneck by my side. I'm just trying to be pleasant and quick about my business, but this guy keeps casually cornering me, and by the end of the inspection he is telling me how nice and beautiful I am. I was freaking out because no one would have known or heard me if this lunatic touched me. Luckily I got out of there safely, but the next morning I got a phone call. I asked who it was and the deep lawnmowerman voice on the line would just say "Don't you know?" or "It's me." Then later that day the same thing. I received four phone calls from that guy over the next two days before he finally let me alone.
That story is nothing compared to the one I have from the summer after my freshman year in college. I was working at the golf course as a beach volleyball coordinator and beer cart girl. The job was fun, but you had to deal with a lot of wise guys. I got to know a few of the guys on a first name basis because they played in leagues and showed up every week. Well toward the end of the summer this one guy started showing up at my stand every night of the week. Then one night I was closing down my stand at 10:30 or so. I was the only one out there and was just hopping in my car when the guy comes driving up in his truck. He asked me to come to his window because he wanted to show me something. When I looked in he had a video camera and on it was a home video of him and his wife... you know... bow chicka wow wow. Stunned and disgusted I ran to my car and drove away. I mean, WTF? What is it about me that I attract the weirdest people in the world? I'm not sure.
I was talking to Paul about my blog and I asked him what he thought of it. He hurt my feelings a little when he said he wasn't really sure how he felt about it. Said he thought it was dangerous to post all of those pictures of Chloe, our house, our family. I think it only hurt my feelings because he was voicing my own concerns, and he kind of got me thinking there might be some weird person out there reading my blog (lawnmower man?) who is just waiting to up and steal our baby. The thought sounds crazy, but, like I said, crazy people tend to gravitate toward me.
So right now I'm on the fence about my blog. Should I stay, or should I go? I may just make it a private blog so that all seven of you will have to log on before reading. I'll be sure to let you know.
We played this practical joke on another coworker, and even though it was all in good fun, no feelings were hurt, and the world is officially a better place because we did it, I realized that in some circles what we did might be considered grounds for say, I don't know, getting fired? It would be an extreme and unnecessary consequence, sure, but the last thing I want to do is get dooced. On one hand I'm happy that I've grown up enough to realize when I should keep my mouth shut (it only took 26 years), but on the other hand I'm disappointed that I cannot share this delightful story.
Anyway, the whole thing got me to thinking about my blog. Originally I just wanted to journal everything because I never wanted to forget my pregnancy or all of Chloe's milestones. I wanted to share our story with friends and relatives. I thought of how amazing it would be if I could read my grandmother's journal. But this isn't a journal. It's a public forum. The more I thought about it, the more I started freaking out about the fact that any old creepster in the world could log on to the Internet, Google my name, and get my life story. I do, after all, have a history of attracting the creepiest of creepsters.
Like just two years ago I was up in Ludington inspecting a vacant laboratory building for work. The owner of the building had the groundskeeper meet me there and give me a tour. The building had been vacant for years and it was dark and scary on its own. They used to test animals there for Pete's sake. But on top of that I'm walking through the building with this textbook redneck by my side. I'm just trying to be pleasant and quick about my business, but this guy keeps casually cornering me, and by the end of the inspection he is telling me how nice and beautiful I am. I was freaking out because no one would have known or heard me if this lunatic touched me. Luckily I got out of there safely, but the next morning I got a phone call. I asked who it was and the deep lawnmowerman voice on the line would just say "Don't you know?" or "It's me." Then later that day the same thing. I received four phone calls from that guy over the next two days before he finally let me alone.
That story is nothing compared to the one I have from the summer after my freshman year in college. I was working at the golf course as a beach volleyball coordinator and beer cart girl. The job was fun, but you had to deal with a lot of wise guys. I got to know a few of the guys on a first name basis because they played in leagues and showed up every week. Well toward the end of the summer this one guy started showing up at my stand every night of the week. Then one night I was closing down my stand at 10:30 or so. I was the only one out there and was just hopping in my car when the guy comes driving up in his truck. He asked me to come to his window because he wanted to show me something. When I looked in he had a video camera and on it was a home video of him and his wife... you know... bow chicka wow wow. Stunned and disgusted I ran to my car and drove away. I mean, WTF? What is it about me that I attract the weirdest people in the world? I'm not sure.
I was talking to Paul about my blog and I asked him what he thought of it. He hurt my feelings a little when he said he wasn't really sure how he felt about it. Said he thought it was dangerous to post all of those pictures of Chloe, our house, our family. I think it only hurt my feelings because he was voicing my own concerns, and he kind of got me thinking there might be some weird person out there reading my blog (lawnmower man?) who is just waiting to up and steal our baby. The thought sounds crazy, but, like I said, crazy people tend to gravitate toward me.
So right now I'm on the fence about my blog. Should I stay, or should I go? I may just make it a private blog so that all seven of you will have to log on before reading. I'll be sure to let you know.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Just for Kicks
Just in case you need a laugh today, I thought I'd post this picture. I forgot about it until just now. Chloe received this "Lil' Kim" wig as a gift from daddy's friend.
I'm sorry, Chloe, but this is hilarious :o)
I'm sorry, Chloe, but this is hilarious :o)
Happy Independence Day!
Chloe had a great 4th of July weekend up at Houghton Lake and Hubbard Lake. We headed up to Houghton Lake to stay with the Moore's on Friday and Saturday. We went out to the sandbar where Chloe hung out on the beach the whole day. We sat her little Bumbo chair in the shallow water and she splashed around. She loved it! Saturday night we headed over to Hubbard Lake. We spent the rest of our time up north playing with Andrew, tubing, jet skiing, wake boarding, and just relaxing. It was perfect weather for playing in the water at almost 90 degrees!
We bought Chloe this little pool where she spent some time cooling off.
The problem was that mommy and daddy got too hot playing with her in the pool, so we decided to take her down to the lake. The lake was cold, but Chloe didn't even flinch. She loves the water!
Chloe spent some time playing with Andrew, but Andrew is a little skeptical about Chloe. In fact, twice when Chloe cooed at Andrew he started crying huge crocodile tears. We aren't sure what she told him, but it certainly hurt his feelings! When Chloe wasn't busy being a bully we snapped a few pictures.
It was another wonderful mini vacation and we had a great time. We are so blessed to have the cabin. It is out little piece of paradise!
We bought Chloe this little pool where she spent some time cooling off.
The problem was that mommy and daddy got too hot playing with her in the pool, so we decided to take her down to the lake. The lake was cold, but Chloe didn't even flinch. She loves the water!
Chloe spent some time playing with Andrew, but Andrew is a little skeptical about Chloe. In fact, twice when Chloe cooed at Andrew he started crying huge crocodile tears. We aren't sure what she told him, but it certainly hurt his feelings! When Chloe wasn't busy being a bully we snapped a few pictures.
It was another wonderful mini vacation and we had a great time. We are so blessed to have the cabin. It is out little piece of paradise!
Chloe - 5 Months
Five months. I'd like to savor this moment forever. I'm not sure if we will ever again be blessed with such a happy, pleasant phase in Chloe's life. If you showed me this five month old Chloe a few months ago I may not have believed you.
We are so blessed to have a baby who cries only when she is tired or hungry. At five months Chloe is still going to bed at 8:00 p.m. and is waking at 4:00 a.m. to eat. She goes right back to sleep and wakes again at 7:00 a.m. When she wakes up she doesn't scream or cry, but instead coos and plays in her crib until the noises she makes are so irresistibly cute that you would be crazy not to go rescue her. She takes a two hour nap in the morning and several one hour naps throughout the day. The best part is that I usually need only lie her down and pat her butt for a minute before she falls asleep willingly. No rocking, swinging, and praying like the first two months of her life.
In between her naps she mostly just plays on her blanket or in her exersaucer. She still loves to be outside and would prefer to be outside the whole day if possible. I sat her in her Bumbo seat facing Griffin and the yard one morning and silently read a book for an hour straight before I decided to take a break. She just sat there and observed the world.
Chloe could watch Griffin for hours and tries crawling just to get closer to him. In fact, she loves Griffin so much that she saved her first laugh for him. Paul and I had been trying for months to get her to laugh and then one day Griffin was playing and barking at his girlfriend, Lola, when Chloe let out a huge belly laugh. She would giggle harder and harder every time Griff barked. It was the most adorable thing I have ever seen in my whole life and I even managed to get it on camera.
The one thing that Chloe finally just gave up crying about is getting her clothes changed. Up until this point baby girl has hated getting dressed and undressed. She would just scream the entire time. She hated having her diaper changed until about two months, and then she hated getting out of the bath until about four months, but it took this long to get over getting dressed. I think once I get her naked she is just so happy that way that she doesn't want anyone putting clothes on her.
Chloe is trying so hard to crawl and I'm terrified. It is bad enough that she can roll over and over again to get from one side of the room to the other. Things were so much easier when I could set her on a blanket, go to the kitchen, and return to a little baby lying in the same exact spot I left her. We really need to get started on baby proofing the house. She is also getting very good at sticking things in her mouth. Still no teeth, but a lot of drool and chewing going on.
Little Miss Amelia (as her daddy calls her) is starting to get blond hair. For a while there it was auburn, but it seems to be getting lighter and lighter as the days pass. She has quite a little baby tan going on despite keeping her sun screened and shaded as much as possible. She is just lucky, I guess. She still has beautiful blue eyes.
Funny story. Earlier this month Paul let me sleep in one Sunday morning. He took Chloe downstairs and let her play in her exersaucer. He was in the kitchen when he heard her fussing in the living room. When he came back into the living room he found that the entire saucer was filled with poop! She had poop pooled in her socks and her entire backside was covered in yellow goo. For some reason he didn't wake me up, but instead he stripped her down and gave her a bath. I woke up to hear him gagging while he cleaned up the poop. I was thinking he was being a wuss until I saw what had happened. It looked like a murder scene! It was impressive. I just thought I'd write that one down so that I don't forget. Anyone who knows me knows how I love poop humor!
We are so blessed to have a baby who cries only when she is tired or hungry. At five months Chloe is still going to bed at 8:00 p.m. and is waking at 4:00 a.m. to eat. She goes right back to sleep and wakes again at 7:00 a.m. When she wakes up she doesn't scream or cry, but instead coos and plays in her crib until the noises she makes are so irresistibly cute that you would be crazy not to go rescue her. She takes a two hour nap in the morning and several one hour naps throughout the day. The best part is that I usually need only lie her down and pat her butt for a minute before she falls asleep willingly. No rocking, swinging, and praying like the first two months of her life.
In between her naps she mostly just plays on her blanket or in her exersaucer. She still loves to be outside and would prefer to be outside the whole day if possible. I sat her in her Bumbo seat facing Griffin and the yard one morning and silently read a book for an hour straight before I decided to take a break. She just sat there and observed the world.
Chloe could watch Griffin for hours and tries crawling just to get closer to him. In fact, she loves Griffin so much that she saved her first laugh for him. Paul and I had been trying for months to get her to laugh and then one day Griffin was playing and barking at his girlfriend, Lola, when Chloe let out a huge belly laugh. She would giggle harder and harder every time Griff barked. It was the most adorable thing I have ever seen in my whole life and I even managed to get it on camera.
The one thing that Chloe finally just gave up crying about is getting her clothes changed. Up until this point baby girl has hated getting dressed and undressed. She would just scream the entire time. She hated having her diaper changed until about two months, and then she hated getting out of the bath until about four months, but it took this long to get over getting dressed. I think once I get her naked she is just so happy that way that she doesn't want anyone putting clothes on her.
Chloe is trying so hard to crawl and I'm terrified. It is bad enough that she can roll over and over again to get from one side of the room to the other. Things were so much easier when I could set her on a blanket, go to the kitchen, and return to a little baby lying in the same exact spot I left her. We really need to get started on baby proofing the house. She is also getting very good at sticking things in her mouth. Still no teeth, but a lot of drool and chewing going on.
Little Miss Amelia (as her daddy calls her) is starting to get blond hair. For a while there it was auburn, but it seems to be getting lighter and lighter as the days pass. She has quite a little baby tan going on despite keeping her sun screened and shaded as much as possible. She is just lucky, I guess. She still has beautiful blue eyes.
Funny story. Earlier this month Paul let me sleep in one Sunday morning. He took Chloe downstairs and let her play in her exersaucer. He was in the kitchen when he heard her fussing in the living room. When he came back into the living room he found that the entire saucer was filled with poop! She had poop pooled in her socks and her entire backside was covered in yellow goo. For some reason he didn't wake me up, but instead he stripped her down and gave her a bath. I woke up to hear him gagging while he cleaned up the poop. I was thinking he was being a wuss until I saw what had happened. It looked like a murder scene! It was impressive. I just thought I'd write that one down so that I don't forget. Anyone who knows me knows how I love poop humor!
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