Yes, you DID count nine

Just in case you were looking for a Christmas themed inflatable, and were unable to find any - you now know who to blame: the lady across the street from us.

Not Even Slightly Amused

To put it nicely, Madelyn thought Santa was a creep.

Our Little Boy

Rob and I had a 3D Ultrasound done, and this is what he looks like! Granted, he may look totally different when he's out, it's still really fun to see. They gave us a million pictures, and he looks different in a lot of them, but this image seems to be the most recurring - guess we'll see in five weeks! We also were able to see that he ALREADY has a lot of hair...and if any of you remember the experience we had with Madelyn's afro the first few months, you probably understand my angst!!! You can kind of see the hair in this picture - and no, Rob, he's not "wearing a bow."

Maddie's FAVORITE passtime

Any time Maddie runs off, I can almost guarantee that she's in the office. She has learned how to turn the TV and Nintendo on so she can hear her favorite song.

Madelyn works the Crowd

Enjoying Fall

Happy Halloween

Maddie picked it out herself.

Rob pointed this out. Um, Creepy.

It's all fun and games until...

Madelyn was thrilled to find a seat in this tonka truck -



That is until she realized her diaper was too full to get out.

Saturday, In the Park - I think it was the Fourth of July

I've been avoiding this post because of these two pictures. I laugh, and I cringe EVERY time I see them. Please don't call child services on me - I promise that I WAS yelling at Rob, while taking these pictures. If anything - call child services on him.



After the body building competition - we had a normal day.

Cascade Springs - One Year Later

Same place, same cheeks.

24 Weeks and Counting

Twenty four down, sixteen to go.

The Art of Parking

I've never understood why parents have such a hard time with couples in cars. But when my father in law came home with this 1942 Ford Super Deluxe, I suddenly grasped the concept of "Parking." It's basically two mobile couches and a steering wheel. Drive this car up to "look-out-point", and you've got yourself a love festival. I guess they just don't make them like they used to...

Business Ethic?

Rob and I recently changed auto-insurance companies to get a better rate. Someone recommended a company called Bear River Insurance to us, and we found a broker right down the road. We filled out our information, and started our new policy. About a week later we recieved a phone call from one of Rob's friends - telling us he could lower our home insurance. It just so happened it was through the same company, Bear River. We met with Rob's friend, he offered us a great auto/home insurance combo. We signed some papers, and had new home and auto insurance.
A few days ago I got a phone call from the agent who originally sold us our car insurance. This is the EXACT line he used: "I see that you switched agents on me - and I just wanted to know what's up with that?" I told him that I wasn't the person to talk to - Rob kept all that information. "Well, I have his work number right here, can I call him at work?" I told him that I could have Rob call him after work because this was an especially busy time for him at the office. He then hung up on me.
I called Rob about ten minutes later to warn him about the obnoxious and rude agent. Rob said that he had ALREADY been called (after I told the agent not to) and was treated with the same disrespect - even got the "what's up with that" line. The agent told Rob that he was mad because he had done SO much work, and wouldn't get any comission. The only work that had been done at this point was Rob and I filling out paper work.
Today in the mail we received this letter:
"We are sorry for the recent misunderstanding. If you wish for us to continue as your full service agency, please sign the enclosed letter. I look forward to serving your insurance needs for many years to come!"
As if.

Week of Fun: Part Deux

Remember that "Week of Fun" I blogged about several weeks ago? It included seeing the world's crappiest "aquarium". Well, it has been brought to my attention - by my sweet, yet at times anal husband Rob, that followers of my blog will never understand the complete bliss that came from our week of fun, due to the lack of chronological order. So, for all of those who don't understand levels of fun - unless they are chronologically documented, it was a FUN week, and our zoo trip was included.
That being said, here are a few snapshots of our FUN trip.

I learned a few things on this trip. Not only am I scared of moths, but apparently I am also scared of butterflies. After this shot - I had to leave the exhibit because I was so nervous. The "let me tell you all about butterflies" lady thought I was stupid, and literally said as I was running out the door, "They're not going to hurt you." I guess she's never been fluttered to death. I on the other hand have had several close calls.

I also have a fear of peacocks that are running around without leashes. This one thought it would be funny to eat Maddie's hotdog. I thought it would be funny to take it into a taxadermist. All of this was going through my head as I was running away - sorry the picture is blurry.

"Misty, Water-Colored Memories, of the way we were..."

Playing Dumb: An Untapped Genius

I stopped by the grocery store yesterday afternoon to grab a few quick items. I was there for milk, and Rob's "Crew" Pomade. On the way to the pomade, I saw some grapes that looked very tasty. I grabbed a bag and went on my way. Three items later, I found myself at the check-out stand. Just me, three items, and the checker.
He grabs the grapes and asks, "Wow. How do YOU know about these?" Baffled by the question, I answer, "They were just over in produce." "No," he responds, "how you you KNOW about these?" Hmm. same question, emphasis on different word - I still don't get it, so I stare at him blankly and say, "I just like grapes." I start searching through my bag for my wallet when he begins on being a cancer survivor. I think that is a fantastic accomplishment, so I tell him so, and continue to look through my bag. It's been a few minutes since I got there, and a line is starting to form behind me when he starts talking about how he was only cured by health foods. These grapes being one of his main sources of...this is where I start to fade out and look at magazines. I also notice that only ONE of my items has been scanned - and two are still sitting on the conveyor belt. I remember him saying something about writing a book next year, not being educated (but still smart), and starting his own Power Bar. He then drops the words Photosynthesis, Cranberries, Blueberries, Grapes, and says, "So you should only eat food that stains." Realizing that now is my chance, I say, "Oh - like Kool-Aid?" He scans my other two items, I pay - and I'm off.
I can only hope that as I walked away he thought, "Wow. That is the dumbest person alive."

For Stef

Today my darling friend Stefanie posted a picture of Geena Davis and asked..."Do I really look like her?" Stefanie's answer - No, not at all. You have BIG BEAUTIFUL blue eyes and no similar features. I think it's the red hair. So - here's mine - I have been stopped by strangers for this...
DO I REALLY LOOK LIKE HER??

Lost in Translation

No joke, this is ALL she says ALL day - and she gets terribly upset when we don't understand her. Apparently, this is EXACTLY what we sound like to her.

Intervention

I usually post the cutest pictures that I can find of Maddie, but I think it's time that I revealed her true side. This is Madelyn after one of her "nights out." I'm worried that her drinking is becoming a problem.

Week of Fun

Rob's work has spent the week in office limbo - so he spent a lot of time working from home. Lucky for us, it was a slow week at work, and we were able to do a lot. Our first adventure was the "all new" aquarium that for months I had begged Rob to go see. If anyone out there is also considering visiting the aquarium - let me strongly advise against this ridiculous idea. I do realize that I am from Chicago, and have been a bit spoiled with luxurious museums, aquariums, and planetariums - but never have I been SO fooled. We drove thirty minutes to get there, and my huge smile and dancing feet faded when I had to ask Rob, "Why is the aquarium in a strip mall?" I kid you not; they replaced what looked like an out-of-business Chuck E Cheese with an "aquarium." We then paid seven dollars per person to walk through two hallways of tanks. I've seen better fish at Petsmart. There was one cool thing - they have a bunch of sting rays that you can pet (see pictures). Twenty minutes later - we were on our way back home. At least we'll always have the laughs!

And then she decided to walk

One day she was a crawler, the next she was a walker.

Fire in the Sky

A few weeks ago Rob and I decided that this year's fourth of July was going to be AWESOME. Ironically, it rained that day - and we went out for Japanese food. Not exactly what we had planned. But in accordance with our original idea, we took a road trip to Wyoming to purchase some "not quite legal" fireworks. I picked out a few cheesy sparklers, and some noisemakers. Rob on the other hand had a cart full of HUGE boxes. Being the fireworks idiot that I am - I just thought, "well, we came all this way - and it is buy one get one free..." Needless to say we ended up with a RIDICULOUS amout of fireworks that were much more illegal than I originally had planned. So last Saturday we had a 45 minute light show in our back yard: roman candles, artillery shells, M150s, and tons of multi colored - seen only at baseball games - fireworks. I literally winced after every explosion just waiting for the police to show up. I had no idea that you could purchase such HUGE fireworks...I thought they were only sold to dealers and firefighters.
The 45 minute show was only the first half of the fireworks, and the police never came. The second half were lit at my brother Derek's block party - where the police DID show up. Luckily, it was right after we had done the grand finale, and just as Rob and I were driving away. The cop asked Derek if they had any illegal fireworks, and if they were finished. Derek's answer was "we're finished." Derek's next door neighbor then joined in the conversation and said, "Sir, I can honestly tell you that no one here owns any illegal fireworks." I must say it was the best Saturday night we have had in a long time.

It's all Fun and Games Until...

Madelyn has decided that her favorite thing to do in the tub is drink the bath water. Rob and I try to stop her - but she's REALLY determined. Here she is taking a gulp.

This is when she stood up, and peed in the bath water.

And this is when she sat back down and started drinking again. I wanted to vomit...that is, right after I took a picture!