This week I've done something that has been 5 months in the making. I've lost 10 lbs since having Beck. (Admittedly, Beck is 6 months old, but I was not trying to lose weight the first month.) 10.2 to be exact. This has been excruciatingly difficult to do. And yes, I'm averaging only 2 lbs a month. That's about a half a pound a week. But, still, it's better than nothing.
A few weeks ago I tried Weight Watchers core plan. This is something that is difficult for me, but I always lose well. And I did. I dropped 3 lbs in one week. I was elated.
Immediately after WW, I took Beck to the doctor. He'd been fighting laryngitis for nearly 6 weeks, starting right after his 4 month check. But his lack of voice kinda went on the back burner after they weighed him. He'd only gained 2.5 ounces in 5.5 weeks. And his diaper was wet this time, whereas it had been dry the time before.
At 2 months he weighed 13 lbs on the nose, which put him in the 79% for weight. At 4 months he weighed 13 lbs 15 oz dropping to the 27%. But here he was 5 and a half months old and he only weight 14 lbs 1.5 oz. He was now in the 8% for weight.
Dr. Wynn turned to me and said, "Tell me about your diet."
"I'm on Weight Watchers," I confessed. "But I've done this with each of my kids. No one's had a problem gaining weight. Nathan weighed 20lbs at 4 months and I lost the most weight with him."
"Well," Dr. W said in the kind, sweet voice of a pediatrician, "I think you need more fat in you diet."
In my head I thought, seriously. Have you seen me? I have more than 60 lbs to lose. I need MORE fat, like I need a fork stuck under my toenails. Is there not some way to get the fat from my thighs to my milk?
So these last two weeks, I've lost weight while trying to eat more fat. This is very tricky indeed. I'll find out on Tuesday how Beck's weight is doing, but for now, will you clap for me? Losing this weight has been very hard to do.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Meditation and Other Questions
Have you ever meditated? What is it? Do you sit silently and concentrate on your breath and letting all thoughts go? Church leaders often talk about prayer and meditation. I've always figured meditation was sitting around thinking spiritual thoughts, like figuring out a tricky verse of scripture or how I should be helping my neighbor or listening more carefully to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
I had, until recently, always presumed that meditation including thinking. But, for whatever reason, thinking has become weirdly overrated in new age spirituality.
I'm looking to somehow steal a few moments of peace. Do I do it late at night? Early in the morning?
As I write this post my clock reads 11:43 pm. Yet, I long to be an "early to bed, early to rise" type.
When I lived in Spanish Fork with two babies and a fragile marriage, a ward member with 3 kids, all notably older than mine, advised me to get up before the kids. "You'll see," she said, "as your kids get older and into school, you have to get up early. You have to get up before they do, study your scriptures, work out and be ready for them. You have to get up early to prepare for the day."
It's advice I've never forgotten. And never followed. Well, almost never. I've taken a few stabs at getting up early with major negative consequences: the kids get up too. They want to join me on my walk, when I really want to think or have grown up conversations. I'm just trying to empty the dishwasher, but kids are veritably jumping out of bed to see if these sounds mean something cool cooking for breakfast.
I long for a sunrise walk and scripture study, though I hate to drag myself out of bed. So. I guess I'm just wondering how other moms do it. When do you do your scripture study? When do you exercise? Do you ever meditate? Enlighten me. I'm ready.
I had, until recently, always presumed that meditation including thinking. But, for whatever reason, thinking has become weirdly overrated in new age spirituality.
I'm looking to somehow steal a few moments of peace. Do I do it late at night? Early in the morning?
As I write this post my clock reads 11:43 pm. Yet, I long to be an "early to bed, early to rise" type.
When I lived in Spanish Fork with two babies and a fragile marriage, a ward member with 3 kids, all notably older than mine, advised me to get up before the kids. "You'll see," she said, "as your kids get older and into school, you have to get up early. You have to get up before they do, study your scriptures, work out and be ready for them. You have to get up early to prepare for the day."
It's advice I've never forgotten. And never followed. Well, almost never. I've taken a few stabs at getting up early with major negative consequences: the kids get up too. They want to join me on my walk, when I really want to think or have grown up conversations. I'm just trying to empty the dishwasher, but kids are veritably jumping out of bed to see if these sounds mean something cool cooking for breakfast.
I long for a sunrise walk and scripture study, though I hate to drag myself out of bed. So. I guess I'm just wondering how other moms do it. When do you do your scripture study? When do you exercise? Do you ever meditate? Enlighten me. I'm ready.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Teaching Your Baby to Read
A few people have asked how I get my kids to read early. I hope you really want an answer, because here's the technique.
I start with the letter O. We just look for O's everywhere. Zero's count and so do circles. Once they have that down, I start with the first letter of their first name. After that, I usually move through the letters of their name. So with my oldest, Emma, I taught her E, then M, then A. Next get index cards and write the child's name, Mom, Dad and maybe Baby.
Periodically (at least once a week) get the cards out and review with the child. Add more flash cards as he/she is ready. You can even let them pick. Just ask, what word do you want to learn. It's good to also read alphabet books, focusing on the sounds the letters make. Before you know it, your child will be sounding out words on their own.
The most important thing is just to keep it a no pressure, fun environment. The more fun learning is, the more they want to do it!
I start with the letter O. We just look for O's everywhere. Zero's count and so do circles. Once they have that down, I start with the first letter of their first name. After that, I usually move through the letters of their name. So with my oldest, Emma, I taught her E, then M, then A. Next get index cards and write the child's name, Mom, Dad and maybe Baby.
Periodically (at least once a week) get the cards out and review with the child. Add more flash cards as he/she is ready. You can even let them pick. Just ask, what word do you want to learn. It's good to also read alphabet books, focusing on the sounds the letters make. Before you know it, your child will be sounding out words on their own.
The most important thing is just to keep it a no pressure, fun environment. The more fun learning is, the more they want to do it!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Annika
My friend Alisa tagged me (a long time ago) to do a post about Annika, so here's some fun thing about my youngest daughter.
1. Annika was born with TONS of dark brown hair. Just like Emma. They look uncannily alike in baby pictures.
2. At one, Annika could sing more words than she could say. She could sing Happy Birthday to You (which we got on tape as proof), Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and I am a Child of God.
This is a picture of her (with my sister, Andrea) at Emma's birthday. This is the first time she sang Happy Birthday.
3. She is quite a climber. This is very different from Emma. I thought my boys were climbers because they were boys. But Annika is a climber, too. She'll climb on the couch and jump off. She jumps off of the highest stairs and will climb on the counter to get stuff out of the cupboard.
4. Annika is obsessed with gum. We have a rule that no one can chew gum until they are 8. Perhaps the forbidden factor is what makes it so interesting. Once, in two days Annika ate the greater part of 3 packs of gum. Let me emphasize that she ATE them. Ate. The third day she got diarrhea. It smelled like gum which is weird and horrible.
5. Annika is the readingest baby I've ever had. All of my kids could read at three and Anson could write very well before he turned four. But Annika is reading already. Not only does she know the letters A, O, M, S, E, D, N, B, but she can also read the words Annika, Mom, Dad, Emma and Nathan. She's two and two months. This blows my mind. As we speak she is sitting on my lap pointing at the words Emma, Annika and she found the Mom in Momville.
6. She's pretty. She's so pretty. She has a beautiful olive skin color. She has Precious Moments eyes. Really. They are huge and brown and gorgeous. She has naturally curly dark brown hair. I've thought about putting her in a baby contest, cuz I'm sure she'd win. However, she is kinda shy, so I think that would be torture to her.
I'm tagging...
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Personality
Wendell's cousin Nicole had this test on her blog. It is creepy how accurate it is.
| You Are An ENFJ |
 You strive to maintain harmony in relationships, and usually succeed. Articulate and enthusiastic, you are good at making personal connections. Sometimes you idealize relationships too much - and end up being let down. You find the most energy and comfort in social situations ... where you shine. In love, you are very protective and supporting. However, you do need to "feel special" - and it's quite easy for you to get jealous. At work, you are a natural leader. You can help people discover their greatest potential. You would make a good writer, human resources director, or psychologist. How you see yourself: Trusting, idealistic, and expressive When other people don't get you, they see you as: Bossy, inappropriate, and loud |
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Week In Review
Friday: Birthday
It was really lovely. Wendell and the kids brought me breakfast in bed. We had dinner at my parents' house and a small party. I got clothes from my mom, king size pillows and an iTunes gift certificate from my sisters, and head phones, a cool apron and a Josh Groban DVD from Wendell.
Saturday: All Heck Breaks Loose
I spent between 1:00 and 6:00 in the morning losing my birthday dinner. When Beck finally woke up around 8:00 I was too weak to change his diaper. He'd blown his diap out so Wendell had to strip him down to a fresh diaper. As I fed him, I realized he had spots. Lots of spots. They were everywhere, from the top of his head under his hair, to the tops of his feet.
Wendell ran Beck to the doctor and my sister Christy came over and watched the kids while I slept. Turns out, Beck is allergic to all penicillin based antibiotics. Cool, huh?
Sunday: Recovery
Spent the day playing hooky from church. Went to a BBQ at Tyler and Missy's house.
Monday: New Do
I chopped my hair. I asked for a bob with layers and swooping bangs. This is what I got.
Tuesday: Cheered on David A.
Watched A.I. We cheered on our 17-year-old home boy. Thought he might actually have a chance at winning.
Wednesday: Nate's Kindergarten Program
Nathan had the opening part at the kindergarten program. It was the longest, hardest part and exactly the same part Anson had last year. Because of Nathan's frequent outbursts in class, I was surprised he got a part let alone the most difficult one. We dressed him in a suit and he got a haircut on Monday, too. He marched right up to the microphone and said, "Thank you for coming to our Kindergarten program. Please stand with us and say the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star Spangled Banner." Then he hopped back onto his spot on the risers. Everyone stood, but didn't know what to do. Nathan had this "Ah-ha" look cross his face and he jumped down, marched up to the mic and said, "Ready, begin."
That was virtually the end of his good behavior. The boy next to him, pretend to throttle Nathan. He must have thought that was funny because he spent almost the entire program pretending to throttle the boy next to him. Although he did take an interlude to pull the hair of the girl in front of him. I was going nuts in the audience, periodically snapping my fingers, trying to get his attention without ruining the program.
During the song, "I Am A Pizza," Nathan decided to start licking and pretending to eat the boy he'd spent most of the night throttling. I'd had it. I sneaked up on the stage behind the curtains and started whispering his name. I waved my finger in a NO-NO motion and snapped my fingers a few times until all the bad behavior stopped. Sheesh.
Came home and watched the TIVO'd A.I. Felt bummed that David A. lost. Probably would have voted for David C. if David A. wasn't an LDS kid from Utah.
Thursday: Normalcy
Life returned to normal. Emma did say something funny, though. As she surveyed my cork board looking for a place to post her spelling words she said, "Mom! There is not an extraneous pin up here!"
Annika also said a prayer on her own. It goes like this, "Heavenly Father, thankful for this food. Bless it to me moo me to our bodies. In the name of Christ, AAAAAA-Men!"
It was really lovely. Wendell and the kids brought me breakfast in bed. We had dinner at my parents' house and a small party. I got clothes from my mom, king size pillows and an iTunes gift certificate from my sisters, and head phones, a cool apron and a Josh Groban DVD from Wendell.
Saturday: All Heck Breaks Loose
I spent between 1:00 and 6:00 in the morning losing my birthday dinner. When Beck finally woke up around 8:00 I was too weak to change his diaper. He'd blown his diap out so Wendell had to strip him down to a fresh diaper. As I fed him, I realized he had spots. Lots of spots. They were everywhere, from the top of his head under his hair, to the tops of his feet.
Wendell ran Beck to the doctor and my sister Christy came over and watched the kids while I slept. Turns out, Beck is allergic to all penicillin based antibiotics. Cool, huh?
Sunday: Recovery
Spent the day playing hooky from church. Went to a BBQ at Tyler and Missy's house.
Monday: New Do
I chopped my hair. I asked for a bob with layers and swooping bangs. This is what I got.
Tuesday: Cheered on David A.
Watched A.I. We cheered on our 17-year-old home boy. Thought he might actually have a chance at winning.
Wednesday: Nate's Kindergarten Program
Nathan had the opening part at the kindergarten program. It was the longest, hardest part and exactly the same part Anson had last year. Because of Nathan's frequent outbursts in class, I was surprised he got a part let alone the most difficult one. We dressed him in a suit and he got a haircut on Monday, too. He marched right up to the microphone and said, "Thank you for coming to our Kindergarten program. Please stand with us and say the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star Spangled Banner." Then he hopped back onto his spot on the risers. Everyone stood, but didn't know what to do. Nathan had this "Ah-ha" look cross his face and he jumped down, marched up to the mic and said, "Ready, begin."
That was virtually the end of his good behavior. The boy next to him, pretend to throttle Nathan. He must have thought that was funny because he spent almost the entire program pretending to throttle the boy next to him. Although he did take an interlude to pull the hair of the girl in front of him. I was going nuts in the audience, periodically snapping my fingers, trying to get his attention without ruining the program.
During the song, "I Am A Pizza," Nathan decided to start licking and pretending to eat the boy he'd spent most of the night throttling. I'd had it. I sneaked up on the stage behind the curtains and started whispering his name. I waved my finger in a NO-NO motion and snapped my fingers a few times until all the bad behavior stopped. Sheesh.
Came home and watched the TIVO'd A.I. Felt bummed that David A. lost. Probably would have voted for David C. if David A. wasn't an LDS kid from Utah.
Thursday: Normalcy
Life returned to normal. Emma did say something funny, though. As she surveyed my cork board looking for a place to post her spelling words she said, "Mom! There is not an extraneous pin up here!"
Annika also said a prayer on her own. It goes like this, "Heavenly Father, thankful for this food. Bless it to me moo me to our bodies. In the name of Christ, AAAAAA-Men!"
Thursday, May 15, 2008
A Greedy Moment
My birthday is tomorrow. I love my birthday. LOVE IT!! I'm getting some great presents too. My mom's getting me some clothes that I want and I've tried on. My sisters are getting me something. I have no idea what Wendell's giving me, but I'd be happiest if he just stays within his budget. (Going into your overdraft is NOT a good birthday present.)
Yet, pardon me while I just revel in a bunch of materialistic greed. If I could have anything in the world for my birthday (not including the stuff I know I'm getting), this is what I'd ask for.
1. Wheat grinder. My grandma gave us, like, 200 lbs of wheat, but I have no way to use it.
2. Bundt pan. Doesn't everyone need a bundt pan?
3. 2 Cheap king size pillows to fill the pillow shams on my king size bed.
4. One of those cart thingys that you pull behind your bike with kids in it. I'd love one!
5. A skirt. Or two. I have only 2 skirts right now and I alternate them on Sundays. I'd love a couple more so I could wear a different one every week.
Yet, pardon me while I just revel in a bunch of materialistic greed. If I could have anything in the world for my birthday (not including the stuff I know I'm getting), this is what I'd ask for.
1. Wheat grinder. My grandma gave us, like, 200 lbs of wheat, but I have no way to use it.
2. Bundt pan. Doesn't everyone need a bundt pan?
3. 2 Cheap king size pillows to fill the pillow shams on my king size bed.
4. One of those cart thingys that you pull behind your bike with kids in it. I'd love one!
5. A skirt. Or two. I have only 2 skirts right now and I alternate them on Sundays. I'd love a couple more so I could wear a different one every week.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Talents
Remember this post about talents? Well, I've found just the job to fit the bill! (Too bad it doesn't actually pay.) I've been nominated to be the chair of our School Community Council. The responsibilities include: being in charge, budgeting trust land funds for our school, leading meetings and making presentations.
What's funny is, when I was nominated, I blurted out all the reasons I couldn't do it. Luckily that didn't dissuade the SCC. As I asked our chair questions about the time commitments and when it was busiest (which happened to be different than my current commitment schedule), I thought, go for it! You like to be a leader, you bring a lot to the table and you can do this. So I said OK!
I've already jotted down over page of ideas in a notebook.
What's funny is, when I was nominated, I blurted out all the reasons I couldn't do it. Luckily that didn't dissuade the SCC. As I asked our chair questions about the time commitments and when it was busiest (which happened to be different than my current commitment schedule), I thought, go for it! You like to be a leader, you bring a lot to the table and you can do this. So I said OK!
I've already jotted down over page of ideas in a notebook.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Happy Birthday, Dear Emma
Emma is 9 today!! So here are 9 special things about Emma.
1. Emma is a voracious reader. She reads on a 8th-9th grade reading level and it is HARD to keep enough books in the house to keep her interested. Luckily, she's game to reread books too. This year she read Eragon 3 times. It took her about 4 days to read the 700+ page book, each time. That is lucky for me cuz most books take her 2 days or less.
2. She is a little mother. Although I'm pretty sure Anson and Nathan don't always appreciate being bossed, she's also a gem with Annika. Annika just adores her and is willing to do almost anything if Emma suggests it. That is a huge help to me.
3. Emma is a conscientious student. She works very hard is school and recently got a certificate for testing exceptionally high in reading (surprise, surprise), social studies and science. Emma loves science. It is one of her favorite subjects.
4. Her knowledge of gospel subjects has really impressed her current primary teacher. Sister Mason* told me that she is shocked and impressed with Emma's logic and reasoning. She understands gospel subjects easily and when she is taught, she is able to correctly summarise and explain gospel topics. One of my favorite stories about church is from when Emma was 3. One night when she was supposed to be sleeping she said, "Mom, I have a question."
"OK, Emma what is it?"
"What is the apostasy? Is it like, you know, pasta?"
5. Emma is a pretty girl with beautiful olive skin and fantastic calves. My sister Christy is often raving about how great Emma's legs are. She is jealous. (So am I.) Emma also tans very easily and beautifully. When Emma was new born, I actually had someone ask me if I had tanned her. Um...of course not, but she has a beautiful skin color.
6. Emma is a leader. She is a take-charge kinda gal. Remember how she organized the gardening club? Well, she's like that. Always organizing games and activities for the neighborhood kids. Often involving older kids or even teens who go along with her ideas.
7. She is a girly girl. She love everything pink as well as nail polish, jewelry, skirts, hearts, flowers, etc.
8. Emma loves music. She plays the piano quite well and practices consistently. She complains very little about practicing which sets a good example for her siblings. (Which I appreciate.)
9. Emma is a hard worker and doesn't let anything stand in her way. When Emma was 4 we learned that she is blind in her right eye. Her retinal specialist warned us that she would probably not like reading and find it difficult. Emma was already quite a reader and we could see that a little impairment wasn't going to slow her down. Writing was difficult as a little kid and her writing skills lagged behind when she was in kindergarten. But Emma was determined. She got better and better and by 2nd grade, you could no longer tell her hand writing from that of other students her age.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE! I LOVE YOU!!
*Mormon 101: Within the church we call each other Brother and Sister as titles of respect.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Bush
Nathan (5.5) and I were admiring the blooms on our lilac trees when he peered behind and noticed the bleeding heart was growing, too.
"Look mom!" he exclaimed. "Our heart berry bush is growing, too!"
"Look mom!" he exclaimed. "Our heart berry bush is growing, too!"
PS This is my 200th post!! I'll be going to Blurb.com and working on a Blurb Book now.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
How's That Again?
A woman in my ward has a bought into an MLM vitamin business. To help promote this new venture she's shellacked her car with advertisements. I haven't actually ever noticed what company she's selling for, because I can't get past the first line.
In giant letters on both sides of her car she's printed,
"Loose Weight Now."
In giant letters on both sides of her car she's printed,
"Loose Weight Now."
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Flat Head
"Look, Mom," Emma (almost 9) said as she balanced a children's step stool on her head.
"Very good!" I told her.
"Do you know why I can do that so well?"
"No, why?"
"OK, feel the top of your head. See how it's rounded? Now feel the top of mine."
"Wow, Emma, that's flatter than mine."
"I know," Emma said oozing wisdom,"it's cuz I put stuff on my head all the time. But don't worry, it's not going to get flat as a pancake. It's as flat as it's gonna get."
"Very good!" I told her.
"Do you know why I can do that so well?"
"No, why?"
"OK, feel the top of your head. See how it's rounded? Now feel the top of mine."
"Wow, Emma, that's flatter than mine."
"I know," Emma said oozing wisdom,"it's cuz I put stuff on my head all the time. But don't worry, it's not going to get flat as a pancake. It's as flat as it's gonna get."
Monday, May 05, 2008
Better Late Than Never
See, really cute, huh? It's much, much better than the first. Sorry to all the people who asked for one and I didn't send it. Consider this one yours.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
The I's Have It
My mom is an English major--double major, actually, in literature and creative writing. Having an English major for a mom has some interesting side effects. We were required to speak properly. Just the other day I was having a conversation with my mom and I said "him," but I should have said, "he" and my mom gently corrected me.
So I have a grammar quiz for you, answers included, about the use of the word "I."
1. Wendell and I went on vacation.
2. This is a picture of Denae and I.
3. I just need to grab something out of Dad and I's room.
4. Emma, Anson, Nathan and I watched Star Wars the other night.
5. That was a great meeting for Zach and I. (This is a direct quote off of Little People, Big World.)
Hint: To tell if the "I" makes sense, remove the other people from the sentence, conjugate the verb to the singular, if necessary, and read.
1. Right. I went on a vacation. Makes perfect sense.
2. Wrong. This is a picture of I. Nope. No one would say that. This is a picture of me. Therefore, the sentence should read, "This is a picture of Denae and me."
3. Wrong. I need to grab something out of I's room. There is no such contraction as "I's" and everyone would say "my room." The corrected version, "I just need to grab something out of Dad's and my room."
4. Right. I watched Star Wars the other night. Yep, even without the names it makes sense.
5. Wrong. That was a great meeting for I. See. It sounds dumb without the other name. You would normally say, "That was a great meeting for me." So, "That was a great meeting for Zach and me," is the correct choice.
Wasn't that fun? Feel free to leave your own grammar tips or correct any of my grammatical mistakes.
I need to give a shout out to Jessica and thank her for the format.
So I have a grammar quiz for you, answers included, about the use of the word "I."
1. Wendell and I went on vacation.
2. This is a picture of Denae and I.
3. I just need to grab something out of Dad and I's room.
4. Emma, Anson, Nathan and I watched Star Wars the other night.
5. That was a great meeting for Zach and I. (This is a direct quote off of Little People, Big World.)
Hint: To tell if the "I" makes sense, remove the other people from the sentence, conjugate the verb to the singular, if necessary, and read.
1. Right. I went on a vacation. Makes perfect sense.
2. Wrong. This is a picture of I. Nope. No one would say that. This is a picture of me. Therefore, the sentence should read, "This is a picture of Denae and me."
3. Wrong. I need to grab something out of I's room. There is no such contraction as "I's" and everyone would say "my room." The corrected version, "I just need to grab something out of Dad's and my room."
4. Right. I watched Star Wars the other night. Yep, even without the names it makes sense.
5. Wrong. That was a great meeting for I. See. It sounds dumb without the other name. You would normally say, "That was a great meeting for me." So, "That was a great meeting for Zach and me," is the correct choice.
Wasn't that fun? Feel free to leave your own grammar tips or correct any of my grammatical mistakes.
I need to give a shout out to Jessica and thank her for the format.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Blogapalooza 2008!!!
Blogapalooza was everything I had hoped it would be. I think I still had my ticket out checking the room numbers, when an exuberant Celia bounded out the door with a hello and an embrace like we were long lost sisters. (I'd love to say that she did this just for me, but she hugged everyone and made them all feel like they'd just arrived home.) I felt I like I was passed hug to hug as I then saw my real-life friend, Angie and met her famous sister, Denae and their cousin Julie.
2. Ashli and Anne (pronounced Annie) both brought their babies, too, so we had some good baby chats. Anne also brought her Blurb book which was uber cool.
I have to admit that I have been very shy about posting pictures of myself on my blog. I am losing weight v e r y s l o w l y since having Beck, although it is coming off. But who really wants to post pictures of themselves at their personal heaviest? But most of these ladies do post pictures of themselves so I was braced for a room full of Mormon Mommy Models.
Thank you all for being real. This was so fun. I can't wait for next year. No, seriously, I literally can't wait. I think we may have to have Mini Blogapalooza Utah Chapter get together's in the near future. 
Denae and me
The gals in charge did a bang up job of keeping us busy and helping us to get to know one another. We started with a game that had a funny fact about each of us. Mine was, "I came with a male escort." When I told everyone I had an escort their eyebrows went up until they figured it out and said, "Ohh..." I'm glad Celia gave me such a funny line.
The dinner was great, but I wolfed mine down so I could hurry and feed Beck before I started missing out on things. Annemarie was a sweetie to hold Beck during dinner and when I was trying to button my shirt up which just didn't go the way I pictured it. (I truly suck at public nursing. Pun intended.)
Then we did the give away. I brought an O magazine because of the trauma I had when Wendell ordered it. Next year, though...I think I'm bringing chocolate. Everybody likes chocolate. Except Denae, who shockingly doesn't like raisinets. Weird. It's probably why she had such a cute figure.
My most embarrassing moment, beside massacring Gabi and Andrea's names, happened when we were split for a Sunday School type activity to discuss various elements of blogging. Paige suggested that I start our group off. So I said, straight-faced, "I started my blog to gossip and now too many people read my blog so I can't gossip anymore."
Paige looked concerned, "So what goal do you have for your blog now?"
She doesn't get, I thought. So I went farther extreme, "Oh. Um, goals. I guess I need one," I said with a shrug.
The look on Paige's face was like...You are the devil. I am never reading your blog. I'm going to see if we can exclude you somehow from Blogapalooza next year.
Then we all got called up to take a group picture.
I felt so dumb. I should have blurted out, "I'm kidding!!!!" But I didn't. Later I did confide in Shally and Ashli that the real reason I started my blog was to record the cute things my kids say that I would otherwise forget. They smiled and were nice. I really should learn to think before I talk.
Nancy and I hit it off like we were BFF's. It struck me a little funny. She's younger than I am; 
married only 5 years; no kids yet; works. I've been married almost 11 years, I have 5 kids 8 and under and I'm a PTA lady.
married only 5 years; no kids yet; works. I've been married almost 11 years, I have 5 kids 8 and under and I'm a PTA lady."Sounds like your sister," Wendell observed. "You like your sister, right?"
"It's true," I admitted. "I even told her she reminded me of my sister. Just the way she is funny and smart."
Amazingly, 4 hours wasn't enough time to talk to and meet all 40 plus people there.
Other fun conversations I had:
1. Shally and I had discussed how we both need tummy tucks. (She has twins and I've had 5 C-sections.)
2. Ashli and Anne (pronounced Annie) both brought their babies, too, so we had some good baby chats. Anne also brought her Blurb book which was uber cool. 3. Diane admitted that she was a La Lache League-er so she was really rah-rah about nursing moms. (Which is good 'cause I had MAJOR trouble with my blanket and nearly flashed everyone.) Diane is a also shoe expert and she said she like the picture I use to represent me (I think she was lying) and she said she likes the shoes I was wearing (I think she was telling the truth). I never did get to tell her the whole saga of how-I-have-arthritis-so-I-can't-wear-cute-shoes bit, which I'm sure she is happy about.
4. I talked with Susan and Ilene about their upcoming additions, having JUST gone through that I'm extra sympathetic.
I have to admit that I have been very shy about posting pictures of myself on my blog. I am losing weight v e r y s l o w l y since having Beck, although it is coming off. But who really wants to post pictures of themselves at their personal heaviest? But most of these ladies do post pictures of themselves so I was braced for a room full of Mormon Mommy Models.
"Wendell," I said as I was summing up Blogapalooza for him, "these women all looked normal. I mean, they're real people!"
Wendell laughed heartily at me. "What were you expecting?"
"I don't know, but I feel less afraid of posting pictures of me."
Thank you all for being real. This was so fun. I can't wait for next year. No, seriously, I literally can't wait. I think we may have to have Mini Blogapalooza Utah Chapter get together's in the near future.
Celebrity Photos
Me and Celia (and Beck)
Holly, what the heck was so funny?
Denae and me
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