Chi-Chi-Chi-Chia!

Yes, it is true. I have bought a Chia Pet. I have to admit I am a little disgusted by it, but curiosity won out. My Chia quest started while Mizz was napping one day and I was watching horrific daytime television. A Chia commercial came on and I had to wonder 1) Has anyone ever purchased one? 2) Does it actually sprout hair that looks lifelike? 3) Would it really make a good pet? So one impulse buy later our household had adopted a new pet. In true blogger form I am taking daily photos of my beast and may post them if anything interesting happens.

The best part of the whole Chia experience so far has been the free alarm clock that comes with it. I am forced to do a crazy dance every time I hear that blinking song. Mizz has discovered my compulsion and is merciless. I will have to post a picture of him laughing with me (at me?); it is adorable.

It's Not Just me

This is hilarious and also crazily hits the mark for us this year. Pottery Barn vs Skymall; love it!

Of Fleece and Men

In tradtional Pacific NW fashion, my men and I trekked to the local coffee shop today in our fleeces. I have grown to love fleece as much as I love Portland, which is a whole lot. After somewhat hurriedly finishing my delicious latte, I handed Mizz the empty cup to play with since he was growing somewhat discontent with being strollered. It was then that I realized my fear of forgetting a sippy cup is no longer necessary. While Mizz is not very good at straws or real cups yet, coffee cups make excellent sippys in a pinch and they are everywhere! In my estimation Starbucks must be the largest sippy cup distributor in the world, I'm guessing beating out Playtex and Gerber.

I woke up shouting Merry Christmas! this morning, but Dave was not fooled. He continues to remain steadfast and is not budging on letting me unwrap or give one stinking present. I may be able to break him on the stockings tradition though...we'll see.

Things I am loving at this current moment:

Laughing as I read Self magazine (exercise articles and all) this morning eating cookies predominately made out of butter and sugar and with zero intention of working out anytime soon

Wild Animal Baby magazine--Mizz's first mag subscription thoughtfully given to him by Z and her fam

The built up excitement of the surprises waiting to be unwrapped

The new tradition Dave and I started this year of researching and making charitable donations that are meaningful to each other

My new bed, I can't believe we waiting so long.

Mizz's hugs

Mizz in his cowboy gear. Yes that's right I have succumbed and bought Mizz his first costume everyday wear and have created a miniature rancher. Check it out.

Yes I am a slacker

Actually, I have been busting my tush for the last week and a half. But I am guilty of doing the whole "I need an hour to sit down and record all that is happening" syndrome, which means postings have been super scant as of late. I promise to remedy that soon with some serious reflections and stories. At least I hope to do so. Just briefly, on the seventh day of Chanukah, we made latkes, I am training Mizz to tolerate real music in the car (meaning I am training myself to tolerate some loud screeches and a little whining), and our office has been amazingly silly and festive as of late. It is hard to get work done. So on that note, I must adjorn from now and get some serious typing down.

Holiday Pics!

We've been having such a great time celebrating. We been baking (hello yummy pumpkin cheesecake, almond spritz cookies, and peppermint brownies!), enjoying the lights and decorations, and getting together with friends. I have been feeling festive, with I have to admit, is not usually the case this time of year. Usually it's a combination of stress and a small dose of cynacism about some of the excesses of the season. This year it is different though and I think it's because: 1) We are not traveling (as wonderful as seeing everyone is, it is definitely difficult to do so, in part because of the feeling that there is never enough time for everyone and everything 2) We have taken a serious look at the gifts we want to give and how they fit within our budget and then bought them online--eliminating the crowds and temptations at the mall 3) I have a child! It really is fun to think about the holidays through a child's perspective and revel in it. Everyday I find myself accessing the silly, creative, and wondrous side of me as I attempt to entertain the Mizz. Creating new family traditions is an amazing task that has in many ways helped me gained clarity about what my religion means to me as we think about how to share two sets of traditions with Mizz. 4) We are looking forward to a visit with Grandpa and Tutu soon--Mizz hasn't seen Grandpa since July and has lots of new tricks to show him!

So here are some recent pics. Consider yourself lucky (or warned)...apparently I took over 300 pics in the last two days. Should you ever find yourself at my house for a slideshow, get comfortable.

Eight long days

And no I am not referring to Chanukah, although Happy Chanukah everyone! We celebrated by lighting candles and throwing food on the floor. You can probably guess which role each family member was responsible for. Mizz was awed by the candles and continues to be thrilled with the Christmas tree as well. We have instituted a strict no touch policy on both the flames and tree although I am somewhat more flexible about the tree. The eight days in the title though was a reference to the fact that it has been eight days since I have had the time and energy to sit down a update my blog. And really, it doesn't take much time or energy to punch in a few keystrokes. But Dave, me, and Mizz have been plagued by a cold that won't quit and has been very thorough in its transference of symptoms (runny noses, sticky eyes, evil cough, and irritability are my major symptoms). At one point, I was concerned that Mizz was going to call child protective services on me if I came near him with another tissue. Despite the ailment, we have been able to get quite a bit done. I broke my strike and actually went to the grocery store. We put up and decorated the tree. Dave cleaned up the big pile of stuff in the garage so we could put more stuff in the garage. I made some serious progress on my Chanukah sweater for Mizz and it may actually be done in time. Mizz continues to be intent on his research projects mainly involving how many places he can stick legos and what exactly is hiding in all the places mama won't let him go (for example, the toilet). I'll have to post about Mizz's audiology appointment and my upcoming cooking extravaganza later, because my energy is fading quickly. Good night all.

The end of an era

It's done. We deflated, er drained, the waterbed yesterday and are futoning it for a few nights until the new bed arrives on Saturday. I can't wait although I have to admit I am a little sad to see it go. Now Mizz will never know what a waterbed is like. I guess that's the price you get for being born in the 21st century.

Mizz update and Shout Out to Alma

Mizz caught a cold this weekend. We elected to reschedule the audiology appointment for next Tuesday when he is feeling better. At the risk of jumping the gun again, I believe that he definitely said Mama today several times while hugging me. I hope it's true and if it is, it is the most amazing sound I have heard, right there along with the first time I heard his heartbeat.

And...Alma is going to be on Oprah tomorrow interviewing Al Gore! It all started when Oprah decided to take the day off. Ok, not really, but Alma has been selected to be in the audience and is going to get to ask the former VEEP a question. I am psyched!

My head hurts

From this article. This is getting out of control and I fear that organic products are getting more tainted by the minute. I just read a clip (I'll admit that it was in Parade magazine) that reported that the demand for organic goods was getting so high that they need to be shipped from overseas. Ummm...how is that helping the planet or our long term health? Oy. On one hand, I want labels on everything so I know exactly who made it and where it hailed from. On the other hand, it took us months to buy a bed and I fear that I would never make it out of the grocery store alive if I had to process all of that information. I jest somewhat, but seriously, I am feeling overwhelmed these days by our country's ruthless consumption and what I can do these days to reduce my part in it. I wish everyone would just put a little bit of thought into what they buy and how much they use and also, that businesses would stop thinking only of the bottom line. Enough already.

Mizz the Crack Up

Mizz cracked himself up today when he discovered that he could make a great spray of milk out of his mouth by slightly altering his raspberry effect. Great, I thought, I haven't spent enough of the day cleaning. But it really was hilarious especially when it got to the point that simply putting the cup near his mouth made him hysterical. In fact he is in fairly good spirits this weekend considering he had to share his toys this with his buddy and houseguest Ava, and has also sprouted three new teeth.

One expensive coffee later, we finally bite the bullet

Dave, Mizz, and I hit the mall yesterday after a failed walk attempt in our neighborhood. It was way too windy for Mizz and we had to quickly mount a retreat after just five blocks, with me dragging the stroller behind me for several of them. Dave and I were desperate for a walk and coffee so we made a pact to go to the mall and do just that. We started off strong and had resisted the lures of Barnes and Noble and if we had simply left after returing a bread pan at Macys we would have actually netted money (sort of). But no, I suggested that we just go check out the beds really quickly. Mind you we have been researching and shopping for beds for a long time, so it wasn't by any means an impulse decision. But I still feel guilty for spending the money. I can rationalize it many ways (I have had years of practice rationalizing spending), but it still is majorly stressful to me to spend that kind of dough. But sleep is important... Besides Mizz, it is probably the number one topic that I have spent time thinking abou this year. And so, here's to hoping that this year is a better one for me and Dave in the land of nod.