Sethisms

First of all, Google has declared my other blog squeaky clean.  Hooray!  So have no fear about heading over that way.

Seth is currently in the middle of another learning explosion.  Recent explosions have centered around speech--this one is entirely physical.  Thank heaven he still has those cheeks--they're one of the only things that make him still seem like a baby!

*We're sort of potty-training.  Nothing too demanding, just asking him if he wants to use the potty and rewarding him when he does.  Thank heaven it's candy corn season again--those suckers are motivating him like M&Ms never could!

*Every night he gets a choice--read books with Mom & Dad or jump in the crib.  He almost always chooses to jump.  And man, can that kid catch air.

*He's known how to climb into his pack-and-play for a while now.  But now, thanks to Cousin Megan, he can also climb out.  Thankfully we've only caught him out of his crib once so far, but I'm sure it won't be long...

* He can open doors now.  Darn it.

*He's completely obsessed with Baby Signing Time/Signing Time.  He asks for it all the time.  I think it's hilarious--he's finally picking up on the signs.  Not much use now--he already knows all the words.  The signs are just for fun.  I love how he asks for it, too: "Baysigntime?"

*He's obsessed with shoes.  He loves to wear our shoes, and he loves to bring us our shoes to put on.  Even when we're not going anywhere.

* Jon gave me a slice of pumpernickel bread to try last week.  I had a bite and then told him, "Sorry.  I don't like it."  Seth latched onto that one immediately.  Almost every meal now we'll hear, 'Don't like it.'  Fantastic.

* 'Wash hands' is his new favorite activity.  He'll push chairs to the kitchen sink or pull his stool up to the bathroom sink and 'wash hands' for as long as I let him.  This is only an issue when the sink is full of dirty dishes and he wants to 'wash hands' (aka play in the sink).

* He's definitely in the 'tiny tyrant' stage.  We hear 'No!' a lot, but our favorite demand is, "Come on, Mommy/Daddy!  Come on!"

* There's a distinct difference between "Get you!" and "Got you!"  "Get you" means "I'm going to get you/come and get me/play with me."  "Got you" means "Don't let me fall."  We hear "got you" a lot when we have to forcefully carry him up the stairs to bed.

*He addresses everyone as 'Hey, you!'  Anyone under the age of 10 is addressed as 'friend.'

*The newest skill is one we have come to dread: diaper removal.  Three times in the past two days we've walked in after a nap/bedtime to find him naked from the waist down.  Twice we've had to change all his bedding.  We had to wake him up, strip him and his bed down, and give him a lecture last night at 11pm.  We'll see if that has any effect on him...

I'm finding myself appreciating my time with Seth more and more as I realize that soon my attention will be divided.  It's easy for me to understand why some people choose to only have one child--you would never have to miss a single thing they do.  But I know he's going to love having a 'friend' once the baby is old enough to play.  I love you, Seth Man.

Curse you, Russians!

So...someone from Russia has inserted malicious code into my other blog (megansworksofgenius.blogspot.com). Fantastic. I'm working on getting it fixed and keeping it from happening again. In the meantime, I'm doing some experimenting. Forgive any weird happenings... 

So, after much investigation by Jon & me, here's what happened:

Turns out I had a picture linked on that blog that got hijacked and was sending people to a shady website. (Actually, it was the Minerva Teichart 'Mary and Martha with Jesus' painting, which I find very funny). I deleted the photo, the malware code, and all other pictures that I hadn't personally uploaded. So if you notice some pictures missing from some older posts, that's why. Better safe than sorry!

All passwords have been changed, all security has been updated, and my computer was reset to a point before the attack occurred, just in case something vicious was lurking in my files. Jon & I did a thorough history search and are pretty sure we know when it happened. I won't be letting other people have unrestricted Internet access on my computer anymore...

Basically, you're safe to go there again. I've requested re-evaluation from Google, but it can take several weeks. Hopefully the 'attack site' label will be gone soon, but in the meantime you can just ignore it.

Sorry!

Mother of the Year Award

Tuesday I had my 20 week doctor's appointment.  Nothing to report there--they're not officially changing my due date until after they get more confirmation from another ultrasound.

Baby has a nice strong heartbeat.  When Seth heard the heartbeat last appointment, he sat in a chair and glared at the doctor.  He didn't like the doctor touching Mommy.  This time, as soon as the heartbeat was audible, he ran up to the table yelling, 'New baby!  New baby!'  I was totally shocked.  I didn't think he 'got it' yet.

But that's not the real story here.

Due to a later than normal wake-up time (Seth was up around 8 instead of 7am), we were running late for my appointment.  Add to our already rushed drive a healthy rainstorm, which means everyone was driving the speed limit or under.  Safer?  I suppose.  Extremely frustrating for people running late?  Definitely.

We pull into the hospital about 4 minutes after my scheduled appointment.  Apparently everyone else was at the hospital, too, which meant we had to park on the third floor of the parking garage.  We finally snagged a spot, I picked Seth up, and we rushed to the elevator.

Now the fun part.  Right as we hit the sidewalk in front of the entrance, I miss-stepped.  We went down.  It's a terrible feeling to know that you're falling and that there is nothing you can do.  Especially when you have your child in your arms.

I knew I couldn't fall in any position that would keep Seth from going down, too.  I sacrificed as much of my body as I could (mainly my knee and elbow), but I had to let him fall.  Luckily he had a pretty soft landing.  Well, as soft as landing on concrete can be, anyway.  Of course, he was screaming.  I checked him all over for damage--other than some slight scrapes on his elbow that didn't even break the skin, he was fine.  Just terrified.  I apologized to him the entire rest of the walk to the office.

But here's the weirdest part--it was a very busy time at the hospital.  I was right in front of the entrance, so there were several people in cars waiting, and several crossing in the crosswalk.  Not one of them stopped to see if we were okay.  A woman with a stroller came from behind us as I was trying to pick up my screaming son and everything else I had dropped (purse, keys, book).  Not a word--she just maneuvered around us.  I wasn't really offended so much as I was stunned.  This was in front of the hospital, for Pete's sake!  It's not like they would have had to cart me too far if something was really wrong...

Once we got inside, the hospital hostess/direction giver fussed all over Seth (he was still sobbing).  She checked him all over for damage before sending me on my way, directing me to ask my doctor's office for some Band-Aids and anti-septic wipes.

The receptionist handed me two Band-Aids.  Seth, of course, had to have one despite the fact that there was no broken skin anywhere on him.  But it made him feel better.  I slapped the other one on my bloody knee (it wasn't nearly big enough to cover the damage) and just let my elbow alone.

So now I have a disgustingly impressive bruise collection and somehow managed to get whiplash from the fall.  But I didn't give my son a concussion, and I didn't rip my nice black slacks.  I'd call that a win, overall.  I'll just be glad when I can use my knee again...

PS--Ultrasound pictures (and new appointment date) here!  ***My other blog (at least on Firefox) is currently listed as an 'attack page'.  Obviously I didn't install any malicious code to try to steal your info, but I'm working on getting the problem taken care of.  Might have to wait until Jon gets home...*******

Una Boda!

 

Can there be such a thing as wonderful insanity?  Because I can't think of a better way to describe this weekend.

Jon's little brother Stephen married his new bride, Claudia, this past Saturday in the Washington D.C. Temple.  Claudia grew up in Peru and moved with her family to Spain a few years ago, where she met Stephen.  She is absolutely the sweetest girl and is very forgiving of my lacking Spanish.

Since we live just over an hour from the temple, the entire Blood clan descended on our house this weekend.  And I mean the entire clan.  Including Claudia's mom, Zonia, and their friend Nidia, we had 19 adults/teenagers and 5 little ones running around our house.  Obviously we couldn't fit everyone here for sleeping, but we did manage to have a couple of meals together.  Good thing we all like each other so much.

There was definitely some stress.  Like when I thought all of us (bride and groom included) were going to be late for the sealing or miss it entirely.  Thank heaven for the miracle of no traffic we experienced that morning.  And meal planning for that many people?  Crazy.  Luckily scavenging is a Blood family tradition and no one went hungry.  There is also no food left in our house.

But you know what? It was all completely worth it.  Being in the temple with your family, watching two people be sealed together for time & all eternity?  There's just nothing like it.  The ceremony was so beautiful.  I managed to pick up almost everything that was said, despite the fact that it was entirely in Spanish.  Stephen & Claudia both looked so happy.

Amazingly, we all survived pictures after the wedding despite the 90 degree temperature.  That's right--90 degrees at the end of September.  The next day was 70 degrees and we'll be lucky to see the 80s again this year.  Just our luck!  I can't wait to see the gorgeous pictures that Krystal took!

After the wedding, bride & groom and half the wedding party headed to D.C. for some touristing.  Those of us with kids headed home for naps.  Later that night we all got back together for the official cake cutting.  (Yes, I made it, but I had Krystal take pictures since my camera just doesn't work well for cake pictures.  I'll post pictures once she gets them to me--but give her a break: she's got a 4 week old baby at home!  I still feel guilty about asking her to take the pictures in the first place...)

Here's a little glimpse of what it looks like with 22 people in one townhome:

 

Seth was in absolute heaven--cousins to play with ALL THE TIME.  I swear I only saw him when he was hungry or needed a diaper change.  Here's Megan teaching him how to climb out of the pack and play (he's a professional now). 

Stephen & Claudia--thank you for letting us share your day with you.  We wish you all the happiness in the world!  (I wanted to write that in Spanish, but I don't want to embarrass myself).
 

It's a.......

Stubborn Baby

We know it's healthy and has at least one hand, two feet, lips and a nose.  Eyes, other hand, and boy/girl parts were not available for our viewing pleasure.  Stinker.

They also moved my due date back at least a week, probably two (I'm supposed to be 20 weeks today).  I'm totally not surprised.  The timing was just off on too many things.

Good news is that the tech couldn't get half the measurements she needed, so we'll be heading back in for Ultrasound: Round 2.  Hopefully next week, but it could be longer.

Pictures to come after we survive a wedding this weekend.

I Love...

Watching little boys play together 

(Here they are making a 'campfire' out of grass and leaves.
Oh, and that's Debbie chasing Angelina in the background)

Getting a chance to just relax and chat with some good friends

(Snuck this picture while you guys were distracted!  Hah!)

Hanging out with this little man...

...while he sits in the mud and throws bread and rocks to the fish (thanks for sharing, Victoria!)

But most of all, I love being a mom to this little boy.

Even if his mouth could use a good wiping...

Eight more days until we find out if baby #2 will be fighting with Seth over cars and trucks or doubling our toy pile by adding dolls and stuffed animals...

(Want to read about my son's weirdest habit?  It's here).

Because that's exactly what I need...

Another blog:

Cake Attempts: a blog where I can put up pictures of my cakes
meganscakeattempts.blogspot.com

My other blogs:

Megan's Thoughts: basically a journal-type blog that I try to update every day

megansworksofgenius.blogspot.com

Megan's Recipes: the foods we eat. They're yummy.

feedmyjonny.blogspot.com

PS--If any of you have similar blogs that you would let me link to (recipe blogs, writing/journal blogs, hobby blogs) please let me know!  I'd like to see what you are all up to!

Sethisms

Last night we had egg rolls for dinner.  Amazingly, Seth will eat them, but only if he gets to dip them in the sauce that comes with them (tastes like sweetened ketchup.  Pretty nasty).  Jon hates the sauce.  He uses the Hot Thai Chili Sauce we have hanging out in our fridge for some reason.  Delicious, but spicy.

Seth saw Jon put some chili sauce on his plate and insisted that he needed some, too.  I tried to warn him, but he had no idea.  Until he put it in his mouth.  His eyes got wide and started to water as he exclaimed, "Oh, darn it!"

Jon and I laughed all evening. 

Other gems include 'Dang it!' and 'Oh, crap!'  Grandma Cathy will be so disappointed: the 'c' word is a big no-no at her house...

More blogging at www.megansworksofgenius.blogspot.com

I Wish...

• I wish the fall weather would come earlier and stay later.  My favorite.
• I wish Jon had three day weekends every weekend.
• I wish my doctor had scheduled my ultrasound earlier.  The 24th seems so far away!
• I wish I knew how to sew.  That would make these Halloween costumes much easier...
• I wish Seth would sleep in until 8:30 every Saturday morning instead of just when he's teething and sick.
• I wish we could have such great friends over every weekend.  I haven't laughed that hard in a long time!
• I wish I could ride my bike up big hills without getting completely winded.
• I wish Jon could understand what it felt like to feel our baby move for the first time.
• I wish my kitchen wasn't a total disaster area right now.
• I wish I never had to iron again.

But most of all:

• I wish I had thought to take some pictures this weekend.  Darn.

 More blogging happening here: www.megansworksofgenius.blogspot.com

Question...

Do you have some kind of tracking program on your blog (to see who is reading it and where they are from)? 

I've used both Feedjit and Blogpatrol and haven't been impressed with either (especially not Blogpatrol which gets overloaded and won't let me log in after 5pm). 

What do you use?  I really liked one feature in Blogpatrol--it would show you how people found your page using Google search.  Since my blog isn't supposed to be searchable, this was very interesting.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!