Finding Himself

Don't you wish you'd found yourself at 2 years old? Well, Xander has. His favorite thing right now is to hide a bit and then pop up and say, "I found me!"

How cool is that? I just love it. It got me thinking that, he really does have himself in such a way that, sadly, he may lose a bit as he matures. I know that Jon and I are both really committed to supporting him in keeping that connection to himself, the joy he has in just being...and we know it is an uphill battle in this society of ours, but we can try!

To top it off, he's really becoming a sweet-talker these days. Yesterday, he and Jon picked me up from a manicure and he said, "Mommy! I'm so glad to see you!" and "Your nails are pretty, Mommy!" Charmer. Sigh!

More Funny Things My Kid Said

'A rooster says, "cock-a-doo-doo-doo!"' ...often out of the blue, and not always in reference to a rooster.

After I said to my husband (under my breath) that he was going to freeze his butt off, Xander said, "BUTT OFF! BUTT OFF! BUTT OFF!" Naturally, we were in a restaurant. Thankfully, it was a family-friendly one.

When stopping by the side of the road last week to observe some majestic wild turkeys with all their feathers spread, Xander said, "Wow, turkey! Turkey! I eat turkey! I eat turkey!"

"I like buzel bees." Xander and Pouri play like they are tickling each other with a bumble bee.

And his latest favorite, "DON'T SAY NO, DADDY! DON'T SAY NO!"

I don't know what's more disturbing...

That my worldly Algerian-and-has-lived-in-France-speaks-four-languages coworker did not know who Stevie Nicks was or that I knew so much about her. Like this info that I sent to said coworker:

"Some Stevie Nicks classics, solo (Stand Back) and with Fleetwood Mac (Gypsy). Though I think equally good Fleetwood Mac songs are led by Lindsey Buckingham (Go Your Own Way) and Christine McVie (Songbird) though I like Eva Cassidy's version of Songbird equally, if not better. Also, Stevie Nicks did some great duets such as Stop Draggin' My Heart Around and Leather and Lace.

Of course, the whole point was your scarf. Stevie Nicks dresses in a witchy-hippie-fairy-scarf-wearing way...very iconic. With lots of chiffon and scarves and suede platform boots, don't forget the suede platform boots. I think this is still her style, actually. If you google, "Stevie Nicks Style" you get lots of hits, too."

Even worse, I sent a second email, "Also, the guitar riff from Edge of Seventeen (more scarf action in that video) was sampled for Destiny's Child's Bootylicious (check out her cameo--with the guitar---in the beginning of the video.) She's everywhere!"

Okay, I frighten myself. I think I'll go RickRoll someone.

The Script

Interesting new band called The Script...of course I heard about them on Perezhilton.com (I'm weak!) and they have a really interesting sound. I'm sure they'll be quite popular soon.

Rated R for "RAAAAAR!"

I was just discussing the joys of NetFlix with a vendor/friend this morning at work. She was mildly irritated at sharing a queue with her husband…his next pick was the movie 300. I think I surprised her with my love of this movie. I can't help it. What's not to love? Amazing visual effects; epic story about country, honor and loyalty; action; great soundtrack...and don't forget the beefy, half-naked Spartans. Again, what's not to love? I think my feelings about the movie are further underscored by this fabulous movie review in the 03.08.2007 Arizona Daily Star. I couldn't agree more. I loved it so much, that I read a novel about the same story right after seeing it. It's been a year since the movie came out and I still love it. Love it!

Xander in the Box

Yeah, for like 2 seconds! Where did all this energy come from? Xander's energy level seems to have increased in direct proportion to my first-trimester energy decrease. The kid is on fire. Seriously.
This is him, "lying down." If only! He's doing it again as I write this, but now he's covering himself with a vinyl placemat, like a blanket. "I'm taking a nap!" Mr. Imagination.

Double Blogging It

In case you didn't know, I have 2 blogs now. This one and one called Eakin Baby 2 Point Oh!

Jessie's Girl...yah!

I heard this on KFOG on the way into work today and I was back in Jr. High (but in a good way, if that's possible). Sigh! I just loved Rick Springfield back then and you know, he's still pretty hot. I may have to download I've Done Everything for You or Love Somebody (love the Marilyn McCoo intro...so 80's!).

It's been a while since I've posted, but more on that another time.

I don't remember how I heard about this, but they've made a film based on a very bizarre, but fairly engaging novel that I read a few years back: The Life Before Her Eyes by Laura Kasischke.

I guess I understand why they made it into a movie, but it does make me wonder: where are all the original ideas? Must they make a movie out of every halfway decent novel out there? And it kind of make the hair on the back of my neck stand up a bit just thinking about it. Even more so because I can see from the trailer and pictures how much one of the cast members, Eva Amurri (Susan Sarandon's daughter) reminds me of my late friend, Christian. Even some of her facial expressions...what a trip.

Anyway, should be interesting. I'm sure I'll catch it on Netflix if I don't see it in the theater. I am a fan of Uma Thurman. Not so much of Evan Rachel Wood, though I cannot deny her talent, she just bugs me. Yech.

If you don't mind a bit of a spoiler, or if you want some more in-depth after reading the book or seeing the movie, Erika Krouse wrote an interesting review in the 05/12/02 NYTimes called, "My So-Called Death".

I'm Cranking!

Xander cranks the pedals on his tricycle

and says, "I'm Cranking!"

Seriously?

When, oh when are they going to post a new Grey's Anatomy for me to watch on line? It is so sad, I've resorted to watching Grey's bloopers on youtube.com and other ridiculouse stuff. Pathetic. Seriously.

The Business of Being Born

Jon & I watched a fabulous documentary on Sunday called, The Business of Being Born. I can't even think about it without choking up. Wow. Incredible.

This picture (left) captures a scene of a mother holding her baby right after catching her baby out of her own body. The scene appears twice in the movie and I found it so thrilling and moving. The expression on her face is one of such power and elation...it is exultant...it takes my breath away and brings tears to my eyes.

The film was inspiring and eye-opening. I encourage everyone (whether or not you're having babies) to see it. Watch the trailer here.

Funny Things My Kid Said 03/06/08:

"I'm a little boy." ...okay, kind of obvious, but impressive for a 2 year-old, I think.

Funny Things My Kid Said

This is just going to become a posting as it was taking up too much space on my layout.

Date unknown: "Ahyouokaymommy? Ahyouokaydaddy? Ahyouokaychili? Ahyouokayshebastian?!" (asked at full volume) ...I'm afraid he gets this from me. I ask this when someone in my house stubs a toe or drops something and makes a loud noise or "bonks" a body part. I hope my son doesn't become neurotic like his mother. "Shebastian" is Sebastian, a daycare buddy.

02/11/08: "Crazy spacesh*t!" ...okay, he was trying to say spaceship, but he didn't and it was pretty dang funny.

02/09/08: "It's garbage, it's garbage." ...he is referring to one of my favorite books to read to him: The Goodnight Train. He definitely prefers Timmy & Tammy's Train of Thought (which he refers to as "Timmy & Tammy's Thought of Train book"), but it grates on us a little, so I was devastated when I didn't have GT to balance out T&T. Eventually, he let us read it though, whew!

01/30/08: "You love me, Daddy." ...ah, no truer words were spoken. X is beginning to notice the "I"/"you" differences.01/23/08: "I make a barf." ...he didn't, but we were waiting (with a bucket, of course)01/12/08: "I go to school." ...he's 2, he doesn't go to school, we don't call his daycare "school". I guess he's just using that imagination!

Date unknown: "I'na lay down like a baby!" (repeated, numerous times) ...this is one tired boy here. He says this when he's overtired. He specifically wants to lay down on his changing table and not is bed.

Date unknown: "Slow down puffing down care!" ...this is a Thomas and Friends reference. As in, "slow down, and puff with care." He says this a lot. Often when his father is driving.

Don't ask me how this happened, but I just completed my second book which could be bought at a Christian bookstore. I don't have anything against Christians in theory, but I don't identify as a Christian and it's not really a genre I'm drawn to for "literature". Anyway, the first was a book I got as a birthday gift called, Just Give Me A Little Piece of Quiet by Lorilee Craker. I always try to give books that have been gifted to me a shot and I enjoyed it well enough. Then, while at the library, I picked up a book that looked like some benign chick lit with a funny twist: a recent divorcee inherits a funeral home. And it was funny, when I wasn't completely put off by the uptight, delusional, homophobic protagonist. Well, it's hard for me to put a book down, no matter how stupid it is and I'm glad I didn't put this lame book down because at the end was this recipe (below). I made it this morning for my family and a friend and everyone (even my husband with his aversion to cooked fruit) enjoyed. Super easy.

In or Out of Season Strawberry Muffins
From Doesn’t She Look Natural? By Angela Hunt

¼ cup Vegetable oil (I substituted half of this with some blood orange-infused olive oil...yum!)
½ cup Milk
1 Egg
2 teaspoon Baking powder
½ teaspoon Salt
½ cup Sugar (I used brown sugar)
1 ¾ cup All-purpose flour (I used almond meal for half of this)
1 cup Chopped strawberries (fresh or frozen)
OVEN 375o YIELD: 8

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Oil a muffin tin or use paper liners. Combine oil, milk & egg. Combine dry ingredients. Toss in strawberries to coat with flour. Pour in wet ingredients & mix.
Fill muffin cups. Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes until tops bounce back from touch. Cool 10 minutes and remove from cups.