What's Cooking?

I'm starting to think about what's going to be on the Thanksgiving menu this year. I probably should get my act in gear soon, or I will be faced with throngs of people in a mad panic at the grocery store fighting over that last bag of carrots.

There's only going to be three adults this year, which makes preparing a gigantic Thanksgiving feast seem a bit wasteful. I mean, I know that leftovers are the best part of Thanksgiving, but how many leftovers will there be if you make everything you normally make when there are 6-8 people around the table? I know that I could cut recipes in half and I am sure that's what I'll have to do, but the idea of a small gathering is leaving me a bit uninspired. Or maybe it's because I know that our other guest does not prefer turkey, isn't all that into potatoes, doesn't eat vegetables, and won't go for dessert. That leaves a lot of leftovers for two of us and I doubt J will pull his own weight and justify getting that larger turkey that looks so pretty when it comes out of the oven. I guess I should just look on the bright side that maybe this dinner won't cost as much as it has in years past and just get over it.

J's school is having a little feast at school today. Up until yesterday he kept calling it a beast because we've been reading the book, "A Beasty Story". He was a bit confused as to how he was going to have the character in the book at his school. But now that we're using the correct vocabulary, he's totally psyched for the party. You know, in the way two year olds get excited for something. "We're having a feast!" (run off and go play with something else.)

Let's see what else has been going on. Remember all that wallpaper removal I did in order to get my walls textured and repainted more acceptable colors? We found a painter with a reasonable price and scheduled a day that worked for both of us. He didn't show and didn't call. When I finally got a hold of him he told me that he hurt his back and was behind on some other projects and wouldn't be able to get to me for another week or so. I told him I was hosting a baby shower and really needed the downstairs one done quickly. He promised me it would get done in time. He promised me he would be there. He even gave me a time. That was the last I heard from him and it's been a week. Needless to say, the bathroom was not painted in time for the shower and while it wasn't a huge deal, I was really annoyed because I busted my butt to choose paint colors (I was very indecisive) and clean everything up so he could just come in and get down to business. Now I'm in the process of looking for another painter who might be slightly more reliable. I am stunned in this economy that there is someone out there who feels he has enough money and enough work that he doesn't even need to call and tell me that he isn't coming.

Finally, we had some pictures taken today that I think you might enjoy. May I present to you Baby Next Strong making his/her debut on the blogosphere at approximately 13 weeks and 2 days with an estimated due date of May 27, 2009! When we got a glimpse this morning it was face down and not moving at all, but after a few jiggles of the ultrasound wand, we had a flipper, a waver, and even got big a "whoop whoop!" If the due date turns out to be accurate this could be a Memorial Day baby. Perhaps it is already practicing its party moves for the beach.

Doesn't it look just like me? Laying face down before we shook it awake

I've been feeling pretty cruddy, which should now excuse the lack of posts and communication. Most of J's naptimes have been spent on the couch napping or feeling sick. I haven't had morning sickness, but I've had afternoon and evening sickness instead. No puking (thank goodness) but I feel sick when I eat and sick when I don't. Water tastes gross and I'm already getting heartburn from the mildest of foods. Hard boiled eggs have been my tastiest best friend.


"I'm gonna make 'em an offer they can't refuse!"

The ultrasound tech was able to get a peek in between the legs too! She gave us what she called "a fairly confident" prediction, but didn't want to make a true announcement because it's still early. Sorry, people. I'm keeping that info to myself until we're more sure about what it is, so you'll have to stay tuned at least until New Year's to find out.


crazy 4D image. Aliens! Ahh!

I'd like to consider this post like the ones the press puts out from the White House on a Friday when it's something that they want to slip in there and see how many people actually notice. He he.

A quick list of J-isms

J puts his fruit basket on his head. I say to him, "Are you a basket case?" He replies, "I'm a basket case and nobody can help me."

"Mommy, I want to watch too much tv."

We took out the book A Day in the Life of a Garbage Collector. J says, "Daddy read me this book. It's a funny one." Yep, that one's a regular gut buster.

Heard when he woke up in the morning after friends stayed at our house, "K and J slept in bed together. We read books. I gave K a hug. Yeah! We read a lot of books." (let me clarify that my child did not sleep with K!)

Sung to the tune of "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" when J really wanted to help me cut a cupcake in half. "I wanna hold your knife. I wanna hold your knife! And when I eat the cupcake I feel happy inside." He really is a musical genius.

That's all I've got today, people. I'd post some pics, but I've gotta go pick the boy up from school. Hope this is enough to hold you over until next time.

Boo of a Halloween

We didn't have too much fun around here on Halloween. J got sick on Thursday-- a funky rash on his butt that turned to no appetite for three days and a fever. Poor kid was a good sport and tried to dress up in his costume for a little while to make an appearance at the Halloween get together at the park across the street, but he could barely muster up the strength for 10 minutes of it. Tylenol kicked in around trick or treat time and he had a good time handing out candy to everyone that came to the door... until the skeleton arrived. Scared the crap out of him, made him cry, and that was the end of Halloween. J has had this weird thing with skeletons. Sometimes he is deathly afraid of them, yet he enjoys seeing a skeleton picture in a book. The displays at Target and the grocery store were too much for him to handle, which is not a surprise since he is 2. However, he is vehemently against hearing anyone talk about skeletons as well. If he thinks we are talking about skeletons, he says, "Don't talk about the skeletons!" When we tell him that we aren't talking about skeletons, he says, "Just don't talk about them!" There is nothing we can do to convince him otherwise.

Now that Halloween is over and the decorations are slowly being put away, I hear "Are the skeletons not going to be out?" I have J fill in the blank when I say, "Halloween is _____" and he says, "OVER!!" Something in him doesn't completely believe me.

What do you do when you're sick and bored? Dress up in your penguin costume, grab your penguin, and watch Happy Feet, of course!

Here are a few pictures of us dressed up for a party last weekend. Do you get the connection? Fifty points to the first person that does. B was convinced that nobody would get it and that it was lame, but someone at the party quickly got it, declared it clever, and then he was okay with it. The man cannot wear a costume in complete confidence. We didn't win the contest this year, which was fine, since I don't think J could have taken another year of having the skeleton trophy tucked away in our drawer.

Any guesses?

This year's winners-- Capt. Jack Sparrow, the "man" with the yellow hat, and their kid who was dressed at the beginning of the party as Curious George. Too cute.

Finally, this last picture is for Ouiser, who is hopeful about getting her daughter to begin potty training. A picture to show you what J has been doing lately with his potty chair. This is the most use it's had in months. Hopefully you will have more luck than we are.

Don't forget to vote tomorrow, people!