Happy Birthday Dave!

For those of you not fortunate enough to have met my brother, here he is.

It is my brother's 22nd birthday today and he is "living the dream" in St. Thomas. He is working there for the summer, so he is celebrating tpday without us.

This picture typifies my brother completely. He will never look at a camera, even for a family portrait. You should see the frustration on the photographer's face!

He is a ham, and brings so much happiness to my life. He is one of my best friends and is the most perfect brother a girl could ask for. He is continually concerned about my health and happiness and does everything he can (often with college-boy humor) to make me smile.

We won't tell him this, but Owen's favorite place in my parents house is in Dave's room. He could spend hours playing with his old stuffed animals or jumping on his bed. Owen is one lucky boy to have Dave as his uncle.

I love you Dave, and can't wait to see you, your unbelievable tan and ridiculously huge biceps when you get home!

C'est la vie!

My parents left early Thursday morning for a vacation to Switzerland and France in honor of their 35th wedding anniversary. My dad served his mission in the western part of France and Eastern Switzerland, or the Geneva, Switzerland mission. He returned a year after his mission to work in France as a tour guide. They have always wanted to go back and see those places together. Hence, the whirlwind tour of France they are now embarking on.

Consequently, we have grown up with a high regard for France - the language, the land, the people. My sister and I traveled in Europe before I got married and I felt such a connection with Paris (maybe it was the Éclairs.) I need to go back! I did everything I could to convince my parents that it was necessary that I accompany them on their trip. My dad was only slightly amused at my suggestions. Needless to say, I am still here and they are staying at a posh hotel in Geneva.

My father did however offer the use of his car while they were away. While it is not quite as good as walking down the Champs Elysee or eating Brie at an outdoor cafe across from Notre Dame, I'll take what I can get. I'll try to take care of it dad.

May parents flight was canceled and so they have been plane- hopping to Geneva. They spent the first night in Newark, New Jersey - a far cry from Geneva. I was asked to call the hotel in Switzerland, The Beau Rivage, to notify them of their delay. A male voice answered the phone in what is quite possibly the most beautiful French accent I have ever heard. I wasn't even going to try to embarrass myself, so I very quickly said, "Parlez-vous anglais?" His English spoken with a French accent was equally as beautiful. I can just hear the words "of course madame," echoing through my head today.

If my parents have half as good of an experience as I did talking to the concierge on the phone, the trip will have been a success. Now, I just have to figure out a way to get myself over there . . . C'est la vie!

Favorites Part 1

Owen, like most of the members in his family, is a man with strong opinions. Fortunately for us, he loves many things. I have tried to catalog some of his favorites here.

He loves the camera . . . doesn't this picture just scream the word "cheese?"

Joey would argue that this picture is Owen displaying his love for his favorite sports team - the Utes of course, but I would say that he loves music. You take your pick.

Owen's favorite song is "The ABC Song" sung by a little girl on Little Tikes ABC's and 123's. He giggles and laughs when he hears his voice. He tries to jump, but hasn't quite figured that out yet.

Otter Pops. 'Nough said.

This kid loves playing with friends (or cousins, most of whom happen to be girls). He loves meeting them on the playground, in the hall, or at a friends house. I love it too - everyone knows people are happiest in good company. He loves the playground, the sandbox* and the slide. (He is learning not to nose-dive down it. I think everyone at Shoreline has witnessed him fall down the slide or off something else on the playground while simultaneously observing my great parenting skills.)

*A note about the sandbox. He is either eating the sand or dumping it down the back of his shirt. I find cup-fulls in his diaper daily. See the cute girl on the right? She is his partner in crime. She (and he) has learned that he can get more down his shirt if she holds it open for him. Thanks Sam. How thoughtful.

Favorites Part 2

Here is the second installment of Owen's favorite things.

I was one of those mothers who wondered why Baby Einstein's was such a hit a marvel. I had the complete box set and Owen was not interested. Until . . . one day in desperation to get my child to eat, I turned it on, hoping this time he'd be interested. Lucky me, he was! The energizer bunny was finally sitting still - and eating! Now, we have a morning routine that involves watching 20 minutes of our new favorite video and eating a complete meal for the first time in his life. Completely engrossed!

His favorite spot to watch his favorite show.

Owen absolutely loves putting his blanket on his head and wondering around like a mummy. He even makes a fantastic "ahhhhhhh" sound. Spooky.

Toys? Who needs them when you have a fabulous box of empty bottles and other recycling material under the sink. Clean and healthy.

Owen loves the water. He even stood in the fountain at Red Butte Garden with the water blasting him in the face un-phased. This kid is something, and definitely has his favorites.

Thanks

I just want to say thanks to all who helped grant my wish list. I am no longer in a state of "want."

I recently purchased black-out blinds and I can't tell you how many people were quick to offer their drills and screwdrivers. The blinds are installed and may be coming down as quickly as they came up. (As a side note, Owen has been getting up 1-2 hours earlier since they were installed. Similarly, he has cried at night when we lay him down, which I might add is not like him. Finally, I realized the room just might be too dark. Imagine that! I raised the blinds halfway and the situation has improved, i.e. he doesn't cry, but he isn't exactly a late sleeper. I guess the kid gets up when he wants to and not according to the darkness of the room. I really shouldn't complain - he sleeps 10-11 hours at night and takes two 2-hour naps a day. To be honest, I don't even remember why we went down the black-out blind road . . . ) That said, I really appreciate all who volunteered their tools.

Also, thanks for the suggestions with painting my table. I haven't even tried to tackle that one yet, but to those who gave ideas, you might be summoned to assist. Watch out!

Lastly, I enjoyed five hours of baby-free time on Saturday. I got my cards made for card club in record time and enjoyed a nice drive and outing to Midway with my sister and mom. My husband is to thank for that one (and a happy Owen I might add!).

All of this is just a long way of saying thanks and just further proof of the great friends and people in my life!

Harry Potter and Jenny Wilson

I am not usually one to push politics on anyone, but Joey's sister Jenny is running for mayor. She is currently serving as county council woman, and doing a phenomenal job might I add.

Regardless of political affiliation, she is hosting a special Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix screening at the Gateway tomorrow. All proceeds will benefit her campaign. Tickets can be purchased for $25 on her website votejennywilson .

We can't wait to see the movie!

Humdinger of a Day

To all of you who have heard this story, I sincerely apologize. Please gloss over this blog entry and check back later to a more upbeat post.

Yesterday afternoon was a disaster. My mother and I had been running errands when the chaos began. We returned to our apartment and in attempts to coax Owen into the building, my mother handed Owen her car keys. She lured him into the elevator and we thought we had it made. I remember distinctly grabbing the keys as we stepped over the elevator thresh hold (to make sure Owen didn't drop them down the shaft). I let go of the keys once we were safely in the hallway. He bopped along and I ran ahead to unlock the door. That was the last we saw or heard from the keys.

My mom spent an hour in my apartment helping me hang picture frames and rearranging random decorative accents. Then I put Owen down for a nap. My mom got ready to leave, but to her dismay, could not find her keys anywhere. My mom loses a lot of things . . . a diamond necklace and her new cellphone in one week alone! We searched high and low. I personally picked through all the garbage cans in the house, dumped out every toy box, ran up and down the hallway and throughout the apartment building, called the heritage center desk repeatedly to see if anyone turned them in (another story entirely) and woke Owen up three times in the process. Finally, after 90 minutes of searching, I drove to my mom's house and got her spare keys. Two hours later, she was driving out of our parking lot with spilled Jamba Juice all over her, and without her keys.

To make the story even more exciting, my dad called and reminded me to check Owen's diaper because he is known for sticking odds and ends down his shirt or pants. I woke him up (again), undid his onesie and was filled with disappointment when all I found was a dry diaper. I fastened his diaper up again and dropped him back into his crib. Within minutes I heard his hand thumping the wall and I went in to see what was going on. There he was - diaper off, poop smeared all over his crib and a nice puddle of pee. The joys of parenthood!

Several good things came out of this day:
1. Dear friends who bought us a dozen corn bread muffins from Famous Dave's BBQ to try to lift my spirits. (Anyone who knows me, know that I looooooooove their cornbread! I actually go there for that reason alone. Everything else is just supplementary to the meal.)
2. Answered prayers. We found the keys - someone did hand them into the Heritage Center, it just took talking to the right person to find where they had placed them.
3. Good laughs after. I think disasters make great stories don't you?

Wanted

There are some things I desperately want. I am soliciting help from anyone who can help.

I want the following:

• To borrow an electric screwdriver or drill. I bought blackout blinds for Owen's bedroom (to encourage him to sleep past 7 am). I am having a nightmare installing them without an electric screwdriver.
  
• An HGTV do-it-yourselfer. I would like to stain my kitchen table an antique black, but don't have a clue where to get started. If any of you have an idea . . . please help me!

• The last want is a bit extravagant, and unlike the 0thers is not to be taken too seriously. While talking to a friend last night, we were both lamenting the fact that we haven't been shopping without our kids in over a year. What would it be like to meander through a store, browse items without worrying about your kid climbing onto a display, knocking over glasses or making a beeline for the front door. Ahhhh, one day. So the last want is simple, but probably the least likely to be fulfilled. I desperately want an afternoon to myself browsing and shopping without a wee one at my feet.