For Rent

Is this the next generation of mail-order-brides? And who pays who in this situation?

Chicken, Burgers, Tacos

Four score, and seven years ago my best friend Mary and I decided we were SO good at eating out, that we should probably be food critics. With this new occupation, came our book: Chicken, Burgers, Tacos: 101 places to eat in the Provo/Orem Area. The title came from a game that we played to decide where to eat. I would say "Chicken, Burgers, Tacos" and Mary would eliminate one that she didn't want - I would then eliminate the other - leaving only one kind of food. The book itself, though still unpublished, was in my opinion - one of the highlights of my sophomore year in college. We ate a lot of food - and gained a lot of weight. Mary graduated from BYU that year, and moved back to Chicago. I think the book is still in her old planner.
The reason I bring this up is because Rob and I went out for breakfast this morning, and ate at a place that would be perfect for our book. It was called "Ma and Pa's." A tiny little restaurant on State Street in Lindon. The first thing that I noticed when I walked in was the fact that the chairs were padded folding church chairs. The second thing I noticed was that none of the tables matched. It was just a hodgepodge of furniture. I immediately liked the place. Then "Ma" walked by our table and served as "Pa" cooked in the back - Ma and Pa being a cute older couple. When we asked for a high chair, they came back with a REAL high chair - the plastic kind with pull out tray and padded seat. They served Coke in the big red, dingy, plastic coke cups. Every meal starts with "home-style" and comes with a side of biscuits and gravy. They open at 6:30 am, and only serve Breakfast and Lunch - with the exception of Friday and Saturday where they have "Extended their hours" and now have a buffet dinner until 8:30.
All of these things sat quite well with me, and I must say I'm a huge fan of "Ma and Pa's." According to our old rating system - I'd give it 4 out of 5 Tacos. There's only one thing that has me a bit confused. When Rob ordered toast - it was served with this jelly:

What I Missed

I guess it was just your typical business trip. Hanging out on the beach, helicopter rides, luaus, snorkeling - just the basics. I mean, when I think about all the boring stuff Rob did while he was in Kauai - I'm glad I didn't go. Who needs tropical luxurious hotels anyway??

Alone Again, Naturally.

Well, here I sit - my daughter asleep in the front room, and my husband on his way to the airport with one of his best friends. Granted, they are going on a business trip, but it just seems wrong that "business" includes going to Hawaii with your best friend. The VERY place that we went on our honeymoon. So for the few hours I have of alone time, I'm going to think about what I can do that is EQUALLY exciting. My mom is flying in to keep me company for the week that Rob is gone, and I'm sure many of you know, we are quite lethal when it comes to spending money. It's been a long time since my mom and I have had a full week to shop together. I'm open to shopping suggestions - and keep in mind, it is HAWAII!!

Oh Abby...

My five year old niece, Abby, is the smartest, sneakiest, and wittiest kid I've ever met. This girl can make up a story, tell it to you straight faced - and do it with such confidence, that you almost feel bad calling her out on it. Case in point: the other day, she walks up to her younger sister, Sydney, looks at the toy she's holding, and flat out grabs it from her. Sydney lets out a bit of a squeal, and grabs the toy back. Abby gets TICKED and smacks her upside the head - Sydney starts bawling. I come over to break it up, and (even after seeing it) ask what happened. All Sydney says in between sobs is, "AAAAAAbby." Abby's version is CLASSIC. " Sydney came and tooked the Polly Pocket I was playing with. And when she came to steal it her head accident bumped my hand on accident."

She found out that I was pregnant today and said, "Another Baby!!! Yeah! I hope this one comes out just like Maddie so they can be twins." She then came back a bit less excited, and said, "I don't think you should have another baby, Melissa. you've already got one, right here."

One line - Two line, Red line - Blue line

However they are read - this one said POSITIVE. We're due in January!

My Punishment

As a first time Mom, I've really created some terrible sleep habbits for Maddie - that I am now (11 mos in the making) trying to break. She has started fighting bedtime, so Rob suggested that we put her in her crib and let her cry herself to sleep. I know that half of the moms out there are saying, "duh.." While the other half are saying, "Oh! How could you?" Well - either way, we're trying it. Last night and tonight I sat in the office grinding my teeth - trying my VERY best to not go in and comfort her. Last night it took fifteen minutes, and tonight it took eight, but both nights she fell asleep on her own. But boy do I feel AWFUL when I walk in and find her sleeping like this. Last night her cheeks were still pressed in between the bars. Am I going to be sent to "Neglegent Mother's Limbo?"

The Scrunch

Splish Splash - She was Taking a Bath...

Yes, she's WAY too big for that tub - but when Rob's not around to offer two more hands, it's the only way.

For Rob

Yesterday was our three year anniversary, and although we didn't do anything very exciting - it was a great day. I've been thinking about how lucky I am to have someone in my life who loves, supports, and appreciates me. He is the funniest dad, and has the most amazing relationship with Madelyn - she cried yesterday when he left for work. She adores him and so do I. Thank you Rob for making my life so blissful. Every day with you is a blessing - you're my best friend and my hero. Happy three years, babe - I love you!!

She Speaks

Maddie has learned her first word - besides Mama and Dada. Every morning we get up and wave "bye-bye" to Rob when he leaves for work. She's been practicing the B sound for quite some time, and as Rob was leaving yesterday she blurted out, "Buh Bye Dada." Now, putting together a somewhat sentence was quite the accomplishment - SO I THOUGHT. But apparently - while I was picking up my niece Sydney yesterday, my other niece Abby, taught her an even better word. And although I have yet to hear Maddie say it, I'm sure it's accurate. I mean, what better a third word that Gardener? So there you have it folks: Mama, Dada, Buh-Bye, and Gardener.

Circus Freaks

Yes, that's what I felt like with a baby in Vegas. In Utah, having babies is the trendy thing to do - but once you leave the state, you might as well be carrying a monkey. Everyone stares at you like, "What IS that small creature?" They then stop everyone they are with and say, "Can you see that? What do you think that is?" This is followed by the part where they walk over, grab Maddie's hand, and begin telling us about how they actually HAVE seen one of these things before, and that it's possible that there may be one in their family tree somewhere.
It was actually quite endearing, and Madelyn LOVED the attention - it's just funny how different things are outside of Utah (but I think we ALL knew things were a bit odd here...)
Anyway, here's my cute little Monkey

Viva Las Vegas

Never a dull moment. Well, except the two days that Maddie and I spent in the hotel while Rob worked. But other than those two dull days, never a dull moment.

A Fish out of Water

Madelyn had her first swimming experience while we were in Vegas - to say the least, she wasn't a fan.

The Dream

Last night Madelyn was up a hundred and one times coughing. And now that I'm a mom, my spidey-hearing has kicked in, so I was up one hundred and one times as well. Somewhere in between coughs, I managed to get into dream mode - and this is what I came up with:
Rob and I are staying at my parent's house for some sort of vacation when my dad mentions that they're thinking about "down-sizing" and finding somewhere else to live. Within five minutes of this, we have a buyer. Not just any buyer - but a family that I used to babysit for back in Chicago - 7 kids. (Mom - Dad and anyone else who remembers - it was the Warners.) In my dream, I was laying in bed with Rob telling him how sad I am that the house was going to be sold - and that I am sure that all the furniture will be ruined by these seven kids. At that moment my Dad comes in and says he needs to talk to Rob and I. He announces that they've been planning on moving the family into our house. My parents will take the master bedroom - Rob, Madelyn and I will get the second bedroom - Greg and Mandy will get the office, and Sarah will sleep in the laundry room. All of us will be paying rent to my dad. He then pulls my little brother Johnny in and tells him that he'll have to find a place of his own..but that won't be a problem, because Johnny (and this is my favorite line) "has some sort of future."
In my half conscious state of waking up, I felt no relief, and no concern, I just remember thinking..."well, at least Johnny's got something going for him."