tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57747880236645315412024-03-13T13:47:52.820-07:00simple people. simple blog.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-61953882678411167562011-10-17T08:58:00.000-07:002011-10-17T09:27:33.928-07:00Six Months<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2IwKXfboZAM/TpxRaG0HZEI/AAAAAAAAA1A/YtHpiEKaU34/s1600/sixmonths_perry4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2IwKXfboZAM/TpxRaG0HZEI/AAAAAAAAA1A/YtHpiEKaU34/s400/sixmonths_perry4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664491940272890946" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Come on. I've gotten to wake up to this dude every day for the last half a year. I am feeling pretty lucky.<br /><br />In the last six months of Perry, we've discovered:<br /><br />- His sneaky, demanding sense of humor. If it's not actually funny, he won't laugh. And if you reuse old material too much, forget about it. He can and will heckle you until you cry.<br /><br />- He is a cuddle bug, through and through. The best feeling in the entire world is slow dancing with his head on your shoulder and his little hand rubbing your back.<br /><br />- That his favorite way to communicate displeasure is a fake cough that morphs into an indignant, pissed-off yell at the end.<br /><br />- That he would rather lay in his crib and talk for an hour than actually fall asleep and take a nap. I have hard video monitor evidence.<br /><br />- That we miss him when he's asleep at night.<br /><br />- That if you turn on music, he will freeze and get a look on his face much like <a href="http://www.inquisitr.com/18686/stains-the-cupcake-dog-wins-entertainer-of-the-year-award/">this</a>.<br /><br />- That he likes mom's music more than dad's (he drew a line in the sand by choosing his U2 lullaby cd as his favorite).<br /><br />- That he's easily the best thing ever to happen to us.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Tj43VQ9LjU/TpxRbIN0RMI/AAAAAAAAA1k/2VprepOmF_E/s1600/sixmonths_dad.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Tj43VQ9LjU/TpxRbIN0RMI/AAAAAAAAA1k/2VprepOmF_E/s400/sixmonths_dad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664491957828994242" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bYnPcUvFACE/TpxRa-1IYrI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/PceBBz4REgM/s1600/sixmonths_mom.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bYnPcUvFACE/TpxRa-1IYrI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/PceBBz4REgM/s400/sixmonths_mom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664491955309535922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yNGRZTdSWug/TpxRaXsQeFI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/7427sryJ0TI/s1600/sixmonths_perry3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yNGRZTdSWug/TpxRaXsQeFI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/7427sryJ0TI/s400/sixmonths_perry3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664491944803334226" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--bDRgeTk-SI/TpxRbZf1dMI/AAAAAAAAA1s/VkH0rqHuVDM/s1600/sixmonths_perry2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--bDRgeTk-SI/TpxRbZf1dMI/AAAAAAAAA1s/VkH0rqHuVDM/s400/sixmonths_perry2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664491962467972290" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We love you kid.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-12870884212242015582011-10-17T08:35:00.000-07:002011-10-17T09:27:08.419-07:00Tripping<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0UiE2id2OXk/TpxODEmyfTI/AAAAAAAAA0A/7B5i5DkyT98/s1600/perry_squirrel.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0UiE2id2OXk/TpxODEmyfTI/AAAAAAAAA0A/7B5i5DkyT98/s400/perry_squirrel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664488246008249650" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Perry acting cool with his friends at the bus stop. </span></span><br /><br /><br />Growing up, my family had a healthy tradition of family vacations. Come hell or high water, my mom made travel happen, whether it was a camping trip on a shoestring or a family cruise. So I told Jon he could blame her for my constant trip scheming. After enough pestering, Jon made a monumental effort to clear his crazy work schedule and we took our first family vacation to Seattle.<br /><br />And it was awesome.<br /><br />We ate like kings. We got unexpectedly upgraded to the top floor of the W. We spent all day long just hanging out, doing fun stuff, taking pictures and talking. Perry was a champ. It was exactly what I needed to sate the travel bug for at least a couple weeks.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fAld0hPoJhQ/TpxOjlBwoRI/AAAAAAAAA0o/uX1Mwv7vGCY/s1600/stroller_perry2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fAld0hPoJhQ/TpxOjlBwoRI/AAAAAAAAA0o/uX1Mwv7vGCY/s400/stroller_perry2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664488804467122450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JAHE8ErqNXo/TpxOCVQuFYI/AAAAAAAAAzo/uzo0bc4pPmI/s1600/seattle_momandperry.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JAHE8ErqNXo/TpxOCVQuFYI/AAAAAAAAAzo/uzo0bc4pPmI/s400/seattle_momandperry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664488233299219842" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IE9M_C5l60I/TpxOjH1mBgI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/xdjsiDbSYt8/s1600/spaceneedle_perry.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IE9M_C5l60I/TpxOjH1mBgI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/xdjsiDbSYt8/s400/spaceneedle_perry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664488796631467522" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9DjiEftayww/TpxOBwmFAGI/AAAAAAAAAzc/YMYIz-AXVnI/s1600/spaceneedle_dad.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9DjiEftayww/TpxOBwmFAGI/AAAAAAAAAzc/YMYIz-AXVnI/s400/spaceneedle_dad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664488223456690274" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Crx2p11shE/TpxOBuFmMMI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/NUK070-e8l4/s1600/spaceneedle_mom.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Crx2p11shE/TpxOBuFmMMI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/NUK070-e8l4/s400/spaceneedle_mom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664488222783582402" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0eqpSgcBto/TpxOkIvVm4I/AAAAAAAAA0w/8MD7qpNabfY/s1600/hotel_perry3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0eqpSgcBto/TpxOkIvVm4I/AAAAAAAAA0w/8MD7qpNabfY/s400/hotel_perry3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664488814053530498" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hsBMyECOTAQ/TpxOCqrqRII/AAAAAAAAAz0/N88qZ66JOOI/s1600/hotel_perry.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hsBMyECOTAQ/TpxOCqrqRII/AAAAAAAAAz0/N88qZ66JOOI/s400/hotel_perry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664488239049360514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-htJCbA7e2tY/TpxNWvmU__I/AAAAAAAAAyk/fZVjJIMGsls/s1600/aquarium_dadandperry.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-htJCbA7e2tY/TpxNWvmU__I/AAAAAAAAAyk/fZVjJIMGsls/s400/aquarium_dadandperry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664487484454928370" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Yv1Fb54tJ0/TpxNWSja-II/AAAAAAAAAyU/gChVUVqwxjk/s1600/aquarium1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Yv1Fb54tJ0/TpxNWSja-II/AAAAAAAAAyU/gChVUVqwxjk/s400/aquarium1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664487476658108546" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kr1GFUX9Fuk/TpxNYeTxKrI/AAAAAAAAAzE/DfBuMursH7o/s1600/eating1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kr1GFUX9Fuk/TpxNYeTxKrI/AAAAAAAAAzE/DfBuMursH7o/s400/eating1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664487514173418162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KBl4YoJTsB4/TpxOjWoWApI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/tR0qhZoks4w/s1600/streetart_perry.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KBl4YoJTsB4/TpxOjWoWApI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/tR0qhZoks4w/s400/streetart_perry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664488800602423954" border="0" /></a>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-10049605039010543032011-10-17T08:25:00.000-07:002011-10-17T09:26:24.338-07:00Blessed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hXP08eIAQX4/TpxKTkCnb8I/AAAAAAAAAxw/7sndimw7gtU/s1600/blessing_perry2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hXP08eIAQX4/TpxKTkCnb8I/AAAAAAAAAxw/7sndimw7gtU/s400/blessing_perry2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664484131277860802" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We waited to bless this kid until he was four months old so that our out-of-town family could be there. And this four month-old looked like a seven month-old. But he just looks like a total and complete miracle to me. We had to wait a long time for this blessing to become a reality and he honestly is the sweetest happiness that we could have hoped for. All in all, a really special day.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BKXQ78404fI/TpxKR4npAvI/AAAAAAAAAxU/X1piD1TX6rM/s1600/blessing_family.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BKXQ78404fI/TpxKR4npAvI/AAAAAAAAAxU/X1piD1TX6rM/s400/blessing_family.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664484102442124018" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CncqovNdYVw/TpxKSF2TgSI/AAAAAAAAAxo/_o4ghozu7no/s1600/blessing_group.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CncqovNdYVw/TpxKSF2TgSI/AAAAAAAAAxo/_o4ghozu7no/s400/blessing_group.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664484105993290018" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XpMUqKc3TkU/TpxKRv8IO6I/AAAAAAAAAxM/5KhbFqH2wbY/s1600/blessing_1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XpMUqKc3TkU/TpxKRv8IO6I/AAAAAAAAAxM/5KhbFqH2wbY/s400/blessing_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664484100112137122" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0f_-2Ix5rhA/TpxKxkmg6gI/AAAAAAAAAyI/4Y6gwCCNCxM/s1600/blessing_table.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0f_-2Ix5rhA/TpxKxkmg6gI/AAAAAAAAAyI/4Y6gwCCNCxM/s400/blessing_table.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664484646824503810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79BuwbdCkp0/TpxKT1Y_rII/AAAAAAAAAx8/VV8woNrvcfg/s1600/blessing_perry3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79BuwbdCkp0/TpxKT1Y_rII/AAAAAAAAAx8/VV8woNrvcfg/s400/blessing_perry3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664484135935126658" border="0" /></a>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-80815431712720271862011-08-24T07:52:00.000-07:002011-08-24T08:18:50.609-07:00Mind. BLOWN.When Perry was born, I wanted to start doing something that would help document how much he would grow over the first year. So every week I have taken these pictures. And it's kind of insane.
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<br />This was the first week.
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<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qEkxRIqXMwE/TlUVg-2G6KI/AAAAAAAAAw0/StkhuGQS7Ko/s1600/week1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qEkxRIqXMwE/TlUVg-2G6KI/AAAAAAAAAw0/StkhuGQS7Ko/s400/week1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644441364348725410" border="0" /></a>
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<br />And this is last week.
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<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zfmczbI2Yv0/TlUV9HrX04I/AAAAAAAAAxE/mbrimJCCZOY/s1600/4months2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zfmczbI2Yv0/TlUV9HrX04I/AAAAAAAAAxE/mbrimJCCZOY/s400/4months2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644441847755953026" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Aside from the obvious changing light issues (doh), my child has also doubled in size. Holy crap.
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-52075169137366991622011-08-24T07:48:00.000-07:002011-08-24T07:49:07.324-07:00Perry's FriendsThere is much love when it comes to the following friends, from both Perry and me.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Gm8dwIyMco/TlQzeA7wx7I/AAAAAAAAAwU/psY1GtugwRA/s1600/toy10.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Gm8dwIyMco/TlQzeA7wx7I/AAAAAAAAAwU/psY1GtugwRA/s400/toy10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644192823741826994" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Perry's makeout sessions with Sophie the Giraffe have been CRAY-ZAY. But seriously.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZtSR7AKEZM/TlQzeEnEhqI/AAAAAAAAAwM/wO3QaCGEE2U/s1600/toy9.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZtSR7AKEZM/TlQzeEnEhqI/AAAAAAAAAwM/wO3QaCGEE2U/s400/toy9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644192824728782498" border="0" /></a>
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<br />I had a little stuffed raccoon as a kid that I loved, so I admit some pushing of this one. But it didn't take much. Perry loves falling asleep in his carseat with his little lovey tucked under his chin. He also loves napping with it but he keeps pulling it all the way over his face so we're not quite there yet.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_BvREeUujh0/TlQzd9g3uyI/AAAAAAAAAwE/xgiTa-K609Q/s1600/toy7.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_BvREeUujh0/TlQzd9g3uyI/AAAAAAAAAwE/xgiTa-K609Q/s400/toy7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644192822823729954" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Garishly bright? Check. Lots of plastic? Check. Fits comfortably in your mouth from any number of configurations? Check.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eYWckX2ERe0/TlQzelGGGRI/AAAAAAAAAwc/yCqur6zahaU/s1600/DSC_0900%2Bcopy.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eYWckX2ERe0/TlQzelGGGRI/AAAAAAAAAwc/yCqur6zahaU/s400/DSC_0900%2Bcopy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644192833448843538" border="0" /></a>
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<br />I love watching Perry discover how to play with his play gym. I could just watch him for hours. He realizes that he can create noise and movement and his face lights up. It's the best.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3VneQ8gK04/TlQzCsTjQsI/AAAAAAAAAv0/o-V0yu5ukYc/s1600/toy4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3VneQ8gK04/TlQzCsTjQsI/AAAAAAAAAv0/o-V0yu5ukYc/s400/toy4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644192354347991746" border="0" /></a>
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<br />I put a bunch of these b&w illustrations all around his changing table and this is Perry's dude. He smiles at this owl bigger than he smiles at me (but still not nearly as big as he smiles at Jon). Not sure what to think about the fact that he chose the creepiest one of the whole bunch to be obsessed with. That owl looks <span style="font-style: italic;">pretty</span> strung out to me.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gdQqlMimR6o/TlQzCeOMGrI/AAAAAAAAAvs/My0S7U4rvWQ/s1600/toy3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gdQqlMimR6o/TlQzCeOMGrI/AAAAAAAAAvs/My0S7U4rvWQ/s400/toy3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644192350567406258" border="0" /></a>
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<br />I think this puppet is a rabbit? Perry doesn't see species.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zU46AC6VmwE/TlQzBF54PgI/AAAAAAAAAvk/mpFN168Vlyw/s1600/toy1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zU46AC6VmwE/TlQzBF54PgI/AAAAAAAAAvk/mpFN168Vlyw/s400/toy1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644192326859898370" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Perry starts to giggle every time I say the words "Freight Train!" He has loved this book from day one. I've even done tests with holding up other books and this is clearly his favorite. This book is awesome but I'm a little worried this could lead to an interest in Thomas the Train.
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<br />I hate Thomas.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1qPhi27epY/TlQzCxKLwNI/AAAAAAAAAv8/ZhBlDf00dtY/s1600/toy5.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1qPhi27epY/TlQzCxKLwNI/AAAAAAAAAv8/ZhBlDf00dtY/s400/toy5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644192355650879698" border="0" /></a>
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<br />This is a new addition to the fold but it's already one of Perry's favorites. Magda is slowly going insane thinking that we have somehow found a replacement for her. Poor Magda.
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-40918221684736941892011-08-23T16:05:00.000-07:002011-08-24T07:52:38.735-07:00Feet FirstThis kid is thoroughly obsessed with his feet. Can't get enough. He is shoving them in his mouth any chance he gets.
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<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V2W3O978PTA/TlQynPew8PI/AAAAAAAAAvU/FdwjUOsRaIc/s1600/feet.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V2W3O978PTA/TlQynPew8PI/AAAAAAAAAvU/FdwjUOsRaIc/s400/feet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644191882753929458" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-17HWKDhV2ho/TlQynV1dNII/AAAAAAAAAvc/8e4qrRHe9EI/s1600/feet2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-17HWKDhV2ho/TlQynV1dNII/AAAAAAAAAvc/8e4qrRHe9EI/s400/feet2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644191884459717762" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-60053972859772969552011-08-23T15:59:00.000-07:002011-08-24T07:52:23.256-07:00Nap TimePerry has had a really hard time getting the whole idea of naps down. I did the same thing as a baby. I think he just doesn't want to miss anything. One of my favorite times of the day, though, is when we play together on the floor as he's starting to wind down. It's pretty special to me-- I feel like it's one of the times that I see him at his very clearest.
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<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jJ-Ud1yz3qU/TlQx_Ii_nAI/AAAAAAAAAvE/HMFkHmNs8uE/s1600/nap8.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jJ-Ud1yz3qU/TlQx_Ii_nAI/AAAAAAAAAvE/HMFkHmNs8uE/s400/nap8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644191193697852418" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CNgDg38YlCk/TlQx-scF0OI/AAAAAAAAAu8/tgEZExhB77g/s1600/nap7.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CNgDg38YlCk/TlQx-scF0OI/AAAAAAAAAu8/tgEZExhB77g/s400/nap7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644191186152706274" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nFvT3wt5pyQ/TlQxuLYBr5I/AAAAAAAAAuc/QkGMoIowk8A/s1600/nap2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nFvT3wt5pyQ/TlQxuLYBr5I/AAAAAAAAAuc/QkGMoIowk8A/s400/nap2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644190902399381394" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PA_U8_tsNRs/TlQxuoOeumI/AAAAAAAAAus/7p8sjvTJnpU/s1600/nap5.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PA_U8_tsNRs/TlQxuoOeumI/AAAAAAAAAus/7p8sjvTJnpU/s400/nap5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644190910143969890" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpnTH1y2zKA/TlQxt6CyYRI/AAAAAAAAAuU/hbqRyUlH7zY/s1600/nap1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpnTH1y2zKA/TlQxt6CyYRI/AAAAAAAAAuU/hbqRyUlH7zY/s400/nap1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644190897746895122" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-17115269100736910482011-08-23T15:45:00.000-07:002011-08-24T07:51:49.954-07:00All At OnceFor the longest time, Perry refused to participate in "tummy time." He wouldn't fuss-- he'd just lay there and look at you like "really? we're doing this? and you call it 'tummy time'?"
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<br />Until this day, when he just popped up and rolled over and the works. He just wanted to buck the expectations. Not sure which parent he picked that up from. Except that I'm pretty sure it was from Jon.
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<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OcxNk4PjO-c/TlQvL9Dn7HI/AAAAAAAAAt0/b0tEMLJ92FU/s1600/tummy2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OcxNk4PjO-c/TlQvL9Dn7HI/AAAAAAAAAt0/b0tEMLJ92FU/s400/tummy2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644188115416902770" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xyO-_3FFpW4/TlQvMf2XUoI/AAAAAAAAAuE/GaXsx6WdSvU/s1600/tummy4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xyO-_3FFpW4/TlQvMf2XUoI/AAAAAAAAAuE/GaXsx6WdSvU/s400/tummy4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644188124756529794" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0_5__G19CU/TlQvMPvj3WI/AAAAAAAAAt8/d-_ap0QFTtw/s1600/tummy3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0_5__G19CU/TlQvMPvj3WI/AAAAAAAAAt8/d-_ap0QFTtw/s400/tummy3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644188120433024354" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/28081041?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><p>
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<br />He still looks disgusted with the whole thing sometimes, though.
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<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sz2vl8BnUBI/TlQwC9LS2nI/AAAAAAAAAuM/H3Hun5yc66E/s1600/tummytime1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sz2vl8BnUBI/TlQwC9LS2nI/AAAAAAAAAuM/H3Hun5yc66E/s400/tummytime1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644189060341881458" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-18372747483655464842011-07-24T20:44:00.000-07:002011-07-26T11:29:54.751-07:00How to flood the kitchen, in four parts.<span style="font-weight: bold;">Part 1:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67v_zrILYAA/Tizou14P4aI/AAAAAAAAAqg/FwO8d2FMXGg/s1600/DSC_0826.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67v_zrILYAA/Tizou14P4aI/AAAAAAAAAqg/FwO8d2FMXGg/s400/DSC_0826.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633133125368275362" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Concentrate.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part 1.5:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fka6IpuvQEY/TizovIvddAI/AAAAAAAAAqo/4DsgrV2Qumk/s1600/DSC_0825.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fka6IpuvQEY/TizovIvddAI/AAAAAAAAAqo/4DsgrV2Qumk/s400/DSC_0825.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633133130431689730" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Naw, for real. Concentrate. This shiz is for real.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part 2:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ch3njOKoCN4/TizovVO6GHI/AAAAAAAAAqw/efGEXSzsJ-Q/s1600/DSC_0827.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ch3njOKoCN4/TizovVO6GHI/AAAAAAAAAqw/efGEXSzsJ-Q/s400/DSC_0827.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633133133784815730" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Strike.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part 3:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2HSnwv8cmbM/TizovmDobGI/AAAAAAAAAq4/fY9VpdwhYuk/s1600/DSC_0822.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2HSnwv8cmbM/TizovmDobGI/AAAAAAAAAq4/fY9VpdwhYuk/s400/DSC_0822.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633133138300922978" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Allow yourself a moment of smugness.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part 4:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FpGiMYRXRto/TizpVo4ftXI/AAAAAAAAArA/VuLxp062w7E/s1600/afterbath.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FpGiMYRXRto/TizpVo4ftXI/AAAAAAAAArA/VuLxp062w7E/s400/afterbath.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633133791894549874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8-ZRsXEF-As/TizpV15NkmI/AAAAAAAAArI/mcLP0nih-HI/s1600/afterbath2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8-ZRsXEF-As/TizpV15NkmI/AAAAAAAAArI/mcLP0nih-HI/s400/afterbath2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633133795387216482" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Plan for the next time under the cloak of adorable innocence.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-24249605914857688292011-07-24T20:01:00.001-07:002011-07-26T11:29:44.969-07:00What makes you happy, makes me happy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_GNntsJvnY/Ti3bO4IyzkI/AAAAAAAAAtg/KWZrybQvKcY/s1600/love2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_GNntsJvnY/Ti3bO4IyzkI/AAAAAAAAAtg/KWZrybQvKcY/s400/love2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633399757544279618" border="0" /></a><br /><br />He's flashing this smile all over the place now. His mobile moved a little? Smile. He sees his favorite owl toy? Smile. He sees his dad? Smile. Mom? Gotta make her work for it so she doesn't get cocky.<br /><br />Good thing I'm pretty stubborn when I want something. And I want as much as I can get of this cute face.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AkY6XnkqTk8/Ti3bPM8Hu2I/AAAAAAAAAto/BnSY9dPu5yw/s1600/love1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AkY6XnkqTk8/Ti3bPM8Hu2I/AAAAAAAAAto/BnSY9dPu5yw/s400/love1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633399763128269666" border="0" /></a>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-9197133028673170932011-07-24T19:59:00.000-07:002011-07-26T11:29:34.452-07:00Wow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lrg-tvbZUgI/TizxBAzHD3I/AAAAAAAAAs4/QTyWFI_qtY4/s1600/00999000002-R1-E060.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lrg-tvbZUgI/TizxBAzHD3I/AAAAAAAAAs4/QTyWFI_qtY4/s400/00999000002-R1-E060.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633142233630183282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-clEwCK8O0Bs/TizxeDeyezI/AAAAAAAAAtI/AkSne4HsGYA/s1600/00999000002-R1-E045.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-clEwCK8O0Bs/TizxeDeyezI/AAAAAAAAAtI/AkSne4HsGYA/s400/00999000002-R1-E045.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633142732566461234" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-57x-h7FhStE/TizxeTg7LLI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/qMfdI6KKQ5s/s1600/00999000002-R1-E057.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 301px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-57x-h7FhStE/TizxeTg7LLI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/qMfdI6KKQ5s/s400/00999000002-R1-E057.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633142736870386866" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Wow that such a very short time ago, Perry was this little.<br /><br />Wow that Ryan Tanner is so amazingly talented at capturing this sweet little bubble of time.<br /><br />Wow that we have a kid this amazing.<br /><br />Wow I look a little tired.<br /><br />But a lot happy.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1wD2WdOaSAI/TizxBR1mqoI/AAAAAAAAAtA/S1OrMaXHxK0/s1600/00999000002-R1-E039.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1wD2WdOaSAI/TizxBR1mqoI/AAAAAAAAAtA/S1OrMaXHxK0/s400/00999000002-R1-E039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633142238204045954" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AiTy-mwLX5Q/TizuGep9pHI/AAAAAAAAAso/ZTTB_crqG4o/s1600/00999000002-R1-E016.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AiTy-mwLX5Q/TizuGep9pHI/AAAAAAAAAso/ZTTB_crqG4o/s400/00999000002-R1-E016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633139029009343602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xxbcGW-LBLQ/TiztwUw-RWI/AAAAAAAAAsg/0YNIoWRxljA/s1600/00999000002-R1-E013.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xxbcGW-LBLQ/TiztwUw-RWI/AAAAAAAAAsg/0YNIoWRxljA/s400/00999000002-R1-E013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633138648397268322" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RzfOJnfz0dE/TiztHgXzgiI/AAAAAAAAAsY/w5v66wqtSSY/s1600/00999000002-R1-E007.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RzfOJnfz0dE/TiztHgXzgiI/AAAAAAAAAsY/w5v66wqtSSY/s400/00999000002-R1-E007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633137947138294306" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fpmZFe0aJVk/TizyAYMe49I/AAAAAAAAAtY/L44PNDuyFAg/s1600/00999000002-R1-E003.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 301px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fpmZFe0aJVk/TizyAYMe49I/AAAAAAAAAtY/L44PNDuyFAg/s400/00999000002-R1-E003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633143322242376658" border="0" /></a>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-12434085304328473392011-07-24T19:30:00.000-07:002011-07-26T11:29:24.944-07:00Patriotic 'n StuffAs a kid, I was strongly, strangely patriotic. Like "I will stand UP next to you and defend her still today" patriotic. At my elementary school, they would play patriotic songs on the PA each morning before we said the pledge of allegiance and we would sing along. It sounds a <span style="font-style: italic;">little</span> Hitler Youth-ish now, but it was the highlight of my day (don't know what that says about my six year-old self). My mom once pretended she didn't know me when I started belting out a little ditty called "Freedom Isn't Free" at the top of my lungs at the front of a Kmart. I won an award at age nine from the Daughters of the American Revolution for rewriting the lyrics to the aforementioned Lee Greenwood gem. The prize was a copy of "The Red Badge of Courage."<br /><br />So, somewhere in me, this shiz runs deep. I use that extended set-up to explain, protect and defend the red, white and blue romper my child is wearing in these pictures from the 4th of July. At least it wasn't from Old Navy. Oh wait, crap. It was from Old Navy.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OZ3Ca7YsTbI/TizqWH1wudI/AAAAAAAAArg/-2kPyXcBssg/s1600/patriotic3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OZ3Ca7YsTbI/TizqWH1wudI/AAAAAAAAArg/-2kPyXcBssg/s400/patriotic3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633134899716209106" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SLhgwPb4xj8/TizqVzbG5-I/AAAAAAAAArY/_XZ83OhzKQM/s1600/patriotic2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SLhgwPb4xj8/TizqVzbG5-I/AAAAAAAAArY/_XZ83OhzKQM/s400/patriotic2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633134894235707362" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CxHtc5yDiMI/TizqVjJ87cI/AAAAAAAAArQ/nX4RRcN2pO4/s1600/patriotic1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CxHtc5yDiMI/TizqVjJ87cI/AAAAAAAAArQ/nX4RRcN2pO4/s400/patriotic1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633134889868783042" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o7kQ-a8r7No/TizrVQOHUGI/AAAAAAAAArw/2PYYqRM9UXE/s1600/patriotic4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o7kQ-a8r7No/TizrVQOHUGI/AAAAAAAAArw/2PYYqRM9UXE/s400/patriotic4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633135984297594978" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This kid's poses crack me up.<br /><br />Here's the rest of us. And yes, I realize that we're all wearing outfits in a conveniently coordinating flag-themed palette. It was an accident. Jon's LA hoodrat look, on the other hand, is entirely intentional.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3HKPt0D8b1s/TizrV7t2oQI/AAAAAAAAAsI/jkqY3yiIiPg/s1600/patrioticgrandparents.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3HKPt0D8b1s/TizrV7t2oQI/AAAAAAAAAsI/jkqY3yiIiPg/s400/patrioticgrandparents.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633135995973443842" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XC86dtE7_T4/TizrVtUwuRI/AAAAAAAAAr4/m6ChvujAhJQ/s1600/patrioticali.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XC86dtE7_T4/TizrVtUwuRI/AAAAAAAAAr4/m6ChvujAhJQ/s400/patrioticali.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633135992110102802" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YpAW7lPcDqs/TizrWDnb0JI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/da1cPcKH0UY/s1600/patrioticmom.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YpAW7lPcDqs/TizrWDnb0JI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/da1cPcKH0UY/s400/patrioticmom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633135998094004370" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mh2SNyIkevQ/TizrVjIL-kI/AAAAAAAAAsA/NBu7zlKkchc/s1600/patrioticdad.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mh2SNyIkevQ/TizrVjIL-kI/AAAAAAAAAsA/NBu7zlKkchc/s400/patrioticdad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633135989373008450" border="0" /></a>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-50683549645242372552011-07-24T14:17:00.000-07:002011-07-26T11:29:11.364-07:00Brothers from another motherPerry and Sullivan are pretty cute little friends. Sullivan tries <span style="font-style: italic;">SO </span>hard to be gentle and understanding about the fact that this new friend of his can't really do anything yet. And Perry is cool with the occasional poke in the eye. It's a match made in heaven.<br /><br /><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/26923249?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" frameborder="0" height="300" width="400"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/26923249"></a></p>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-24668055356605890452011-06-24T10:09:00.000-07:002011-06-24T10:25:53.273-07:00The Many Faces of Perry Felix Shaffer<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FdxaBVG9fzY/TgTGvNq9bBI/AAAAAAAAApQ/345yAG3RCQI/s1600/perryface1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FdxaBVG9fzY/TgTGvNq9bBI/AAAAAAAAApQ/345yAG3RCQI/s200/perryface1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621836749291219986" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F9JRTSzVXKA/TgTGwIEr_3I/AAAAAAAAApo/Y1DiJTt9yWY/s1600/perryface4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F9JRTSzVXKA/TgTGwIEr_3I/AAAAAAAAApo/Y1DiJTt9yWY/s200/perryface4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621836764968386418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XJD0y2ZzDds/TgTGvcqUUhI/AAAAAAAAApY/DunZkmw6AeU/s1600/perryface2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XJD0y2ZzDds/TgTGvcqUUhI/AAAAAAAAApY/DunZkmw6AeU/s200/perryface2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621836753315058194" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4jgkxn3nK2A/TgTGwRNZnhI/AAAAAAAAApw/nFDmqXzkjZs/s1600/perryface5.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4jgkxn3nK2A/TgTGwRNZnhI/AAAAAAAAApw/nFDmqXzkjZs/s200/perryface5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621836767420849682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B5c_O1gBT04/TgTGvhTHbRI/AAAAAAAAApg/wbzTXtduY-Q/s1600/perryface3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B5c_O1gBT04/TgTGvhTHbRI/AAAAAAAAApg/wbzTXtduY-Q/s200/perryface3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621836754559921426" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DkpCovCo0X4/TgTHUATpznI/AAAAAAAAAqI/Tvhav2Ao-BU/s1600/perryface8.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DkpCovCo0X4/TgTHUATpznI/AAAAAAAAAqI/Tvhav2Ao-BU/s200/perryface8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621837381358964338" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VAIygh1LJGk/TgTHTq4tlAI/AAAAAAAAAp4/ElGsFv5DQb0/s1600/perryface6.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VAIygh1LJGk/TgTHTq4tlAI/AAAAAAAAAp4/ElGsFv5DQb0/s200/perryface6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621837375608820738" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LtCDTf4hVcA/TgTHUwvAE9I/AAAAAAAAAqY/pAhEigKkrcw/s1600/perryface10.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LtCDTf4hVcA/TgTHUwvAE9I/AAAAAAAAAqY/pAhEigKkrcw/s200/perryface10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621837394358571986" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Just took pictures of his face for about three minutes. My favorite is the Chuck Norris "I'm probably going to cut you" shot in the bottom left corner.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-76795709826213639022011-06-24T09:11:00.000-07:002011-06-24T10:25:38.174-07:00The Golden HourLet's just say that Perry is a little bit obsessed with Jon. Just a little bit. Perry has two favorite times of day: when Jon gets him out of bed and when Jon gets home from work. I'd be offended except for the fact that it's so cute. So, rather than set up passive aggressive scenarios where he has to choose between mom and dad, I just take the pictures.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XX5iG8KSNPI/TgTCWSuLJ6I/AAAAAAAAAow/DIpEDZcGgeM/s1600/perryanddad.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XX5iG8KSNPI/TgTCWSuLJ6I/AAAAAAAAAow/DIpEDZcGgeM/s400/perryanddad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621831923103639458" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vIB8VThpYSQ/TgTCWuRGw7I/AAAAAAAAAo4/bzQYnvCBklQ/s1600/perryanddad2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vIB8VThpYSQ/TgTCWuRGw7I/AAAAAAAAAo4/bzQYnvCBklQ/s400/perryanddad2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621831930497909682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E-LweV-GM0s/TgTCXOqtUQI/AAAAAAAAApI/-fvArMhIiOI/s1600/perryanddad4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E-LweV-GM0s/TgTCXOqtUQI/AAAAAAAAApI/-fvArMhIiOI/s400/perryanddad4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621831939195228418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JkjiIrak1UE/TgTCW1b9hXI/AAAAAAAAApA/iRmBq6En928/s1600/perryanddad3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JkjiIrak1UE/TgTCW1b9hXI/AAAAAAAAApA/iRmBq6En928/s400/perryanddad3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621831932422489458" border="0" /></a>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-55466290601816968392011-06-24T09:00:00.000-07:002011-06-24T10:38:06.608-07:00Draw Me a Bath<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UMWAxlFLqSs/TgS1GaKQVII/AAAAAAAAAoo/Fwdxf6PAlTA/s1600/Perry%2Bbath.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UMWAxlFLqSs/TgS1GaKQVII/AAAAAAAAAoo/Fwdxf6PAlTA/s400/Perry%2Bbath.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621817356571399298" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A bath, a pipe and some slippers and this little gentleman is ready to turn in for the night.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-8725704169383830042011-05-18T14:44:00.000-07:002011-05-18T16:14:14.853-07:00It BeginsIn Dante's "Inferno 2.0," the circle just below "inconsistent/absentee bloggers" is reserved for "shameless mommy bloggers."<br /><br />So I think I'm in for a lot of hellfire and brimstone. Give me a few days and I'm sure I'll repent back to absentee status.<br /><br />But for now, there's this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T0G8drnpKiE/TdQ_1UNli-I/AAAAAAAAAnU/fwubw4qIarU/s1600/perry%2Bblog%2Bpic2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T0G8drnpKiE/TdQ_1UNli-I/AAAAAAAAAnU/fwubw4qIarU/s400/perry%2Bblog%2Bpic2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608177621174422498" border="0" /></a><br /><br />He's kind of amazing. He really is the best little boy. He manages to be sweet enough to make things feel easy but a handful enough to let me know that he has his own little ideas on things. He has a grumpy old man face that makes every smile a study in contrast. And one of the first things I learned about him is that the kid lets you know what he thinks with his hands. Exhibit A-F:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W6Id6LBYG9I/TdRBIJvGOCI/AAAAAAAAAoM/XQX5C3E_Xvs/s1600/photo%25286%2529.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W6Id6LBYG9I/TdRBIJvGOCI/AAAAAAAAAoM/XQX5C3E_Xvs/s200/photo%25286%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608179044291328034" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--BFDUZb9WU0/TdRA5u5ciAI/AAAAAAAAAn8/6MM0dXZTCHQ/s1600/photo%25285%2529.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--BFDUZb9WU0/TdRA5u5ciAI/AAAAAAAAAn8/6MM0dXZTCHQ/s200/photo%25285%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608178796568807426" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e1YITD3qqHs/TdRA5U17pPI/AAAAAAAAAn0/P_hWkjdNHt0/s1600/photo%25284%2529.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e1YITD3qqHs/TdRA5U17pPI/AAAAAAAAAn0/P_hWkjdNHt0/s200/photo%25284%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608178789574747378" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ca50G7P9Y0/TdRA4S-BUuI/AAAAAAAAAns/nFzQyE46DK0/s1600/photo%25283%2529.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ca50G7P9Y0/TdRA4S-BUuI/AAAAAAAAAns/nFzQyE46DK0/s200/photo%25283%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608178771891933922" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GuDP-VpHzcs/TdRA4JRH9kI/AAAAAAAAAnk/pRloLtdmiVE/s1600/photo%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GuDP-VpHzcs/TdRA4JRH9kI/AAAAAAAAAnk/pRloLtdmiVE/s200/photo%25282%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608178769287706178" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-swRwNTRsm1g/TdRA3yOXhjI/AAAAAAAAAnc/HfLAZEvlZPA/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 148px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-swRwNTRsm1g/TdRA3yOXhjI/AAAAAAAAAnc/HfLAZEvlZPA/s200/photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608178763102127666" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There is a legendary photo in my family of my little brother as a kid, with his huge wire-rimmed glasses and satin Donald Trump pajamas, with both of his hands clasped under his chin and his head cocked to one side. By the look on his face, you can't tell whether he just finished a show tune medley or was just channeling his best Punky Brewster cute-face. Needless to say, the overall effect is lovably, amazingly gay (said in the best, most literal way). I would post it but I think my brother has managed to destroy all evidence of it. But when I saw Perry start vogueing all of these, I loved that I knew where he got it from. And, based on my brother's impeccable taste in designer tableware and my husband's interest in women's shoes, I think this little guy will be carrying on a great metro tradition that will make his future wife very lucky.<br /><br />I really love being a mom. So much. As much as I've loved being married to this guy for the last five years (this is the segue into the "brag about your spouse" post-- I'm really hitting all the blogging red flags today).<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dXATJySXUvA/TdRSnrKOUgI/AAAAAAAAAoc/nKydvoI1wv8/s1600/photo%25288%2529.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dXATJySXUvA/TdRSnrKOUgI/AAAAAAAAAoc/nKydvoI1wv8/s400/photo%25288%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608198277537092098" border="0" /></a><br /><br />But seriously, I really am the luckiest. There's something about seeing your husband as a dad that makes them sexier and cooler than ever. I can't believe we've been married for five years today. I've gotten five years of all the ultimate genuine character, inappropriate jokes and sweetness that anyone could ask for. We've come so far from the MTC. Never thought I'd type that. Love you, babe.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-56676541094106531822010-07-25T17:08:00.000-07:002010-07-25T21:39:08.971-07:00Things around our yardWell, it's been a while. For a long time, I blamed my lack of blogging on a super sophisticated ambivalence I had developed to online sharingness, but really I think I was just lazy. <div><br /></div><div>I am an internet sloth no more. Maybe.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, here's what's happening around here. In a burst of productiveness fueled by the spoils of government cheese, Jon and I bought a house. And we're kind of in love with it. I'm so grateful that Jon talked me out of the one we looked at that was gutted to the studs and which almost fell off the planet in a landslide a month after we made an offer on it (for reals). I moped for at least a day after Jon vetoed that one (with several episodes of tears and maybe a door slam or two for effect) and said, direct quote, "We'll never find a house this cool again!" </div><div><br /></div><div>Fortunately, Jon was willing to keep looking at houses even after my super sweet sixteen tantrum and we did in fact find a house about ten million times cooler. In our favorite neighborhood we never thought we'd be able to live in. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, this house does have its quirks. As in, this.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0F7eBGR7I/AAAAAAAAAlc/WhCGiP2Ada0/s1600/DSC_0111.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0F7eBGR7I/AAAAAAAAAlc/WhCGiP2Ada0/s400/DSC_0111.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498057239317333938" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0F5-6EKMI/AAAAAAAAAlM/j8sgGtEK8aA/s1600/DSC_0132.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0F5-6EKMI/AAAAAAAAAlM/j8sgGtEK8aA/s400/DSC_0132.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498057213786466498" style="cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0F67DSz6I/AAAAAAAAAlU/Y8YGW_23E4Y/s1600/DSC_0147.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0F67DSz6I/AAAAAAAAAlU/Y8YGW_23E4Y/s400/DSC_0147.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498057229931302818" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0LjLA5yPI/AAAAAAAAAmU/yI-7VNQ-Qik/s1600/DSC_0130.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0LjLA5yPI/AAAAAAAAAmU/yI-7VNQ-Qik/s400/DSC_0130.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498063418969147634" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>That's what some people call a yard. And that's what Jon calls a summer with less golf. I think that's why his first solution consisted of lighting everything on fire and then pouring concrete over it.</div><div><br /></div><div>As tempting as that was, our actual approach looked a little more like this.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0H2zpGVfI/AAAAAAAAAlk/uxwosjM5P0w/s1600/DSC_0121.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0H2zpGVfI/AAAAAAAAAlk/uxwosjM5P0w/s400/DSC_0121.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498059358246163954" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0H3nQVNmI/AAAAAAAAAls/rhGEXnkeVWs/s1600/DSC_0122.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0H3nQVNmI/AAAAAAAAAls/rhGEXnkeVWs/s400/DSC_0122.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498059372100925026" style="cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0H4agAzKI/AAAAAAAAAl0/lzQcStGGD8U/s1600/DSC_0123.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0H4agAzKI/AAAAAAAAAl0/lzQcStGGD8U/s400/DSC_0123.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498059385856904354" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It turns out that all we needed was a friend with a Subaru, a chainsaw and way more experience than us. We did all kinds of crazy stuff. I swung a hatchet for the first and last time ever (At 15, I cut my hand open and ended up in the ER within the first ten minutes of my first job ever at a bagel shop. Turn the bagel knife into a hatchet and you can see why we almost ran into serious problems.) </div><div><br /></div><div>After a few 10-12 hour days of that, things were looking a bit better but we still had a really long way to go. Cue my amazing family, who, fueled by our desperate thanks and a few 64-ounce Diet Cokes, managed to turn our 24th of July into a real festivus miracle.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0KwpR3H_I/AAAAAAAAAl8/sQAr3jXVajA/s1600/IMG_1245.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0KwpR3H_I/AAAAAAAAAl8/sQAr3jXVajA/s400/IMG_1245.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498062550920011762" style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0KxrAhMAI/AAAAAAAAAmM/MiTjkpZbDsY/s1600/IMG_1248.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0KxrAhMAI/AAAAAAAAAmM/MiTjkpZbDsY/s400/IMG_1248.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498062568564011010" style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0KxOYqexI/AAAAAAAAAmE/x8ZnpRH9xiU/s1600/IMG_1246.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0KxOYqexI/AAAAAAAAAmE/x8ZnpRH9xiU/s400/IMG_1246.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498062560880655122" style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We actually came up with a pretty genius business plan around polygamist yard care. Call me if you want in. Because this is what the nine of us were able to pull off.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0M_nM_PBI/AAAAAAAAAmc/V7Qce__63-Y/s1600/DSC_0164.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0M_nM_PBI/AAAAAAAAAmc/V7Qce__63-Y/s400/DSC_0164.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498065007083994130" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0NBaawNwI/AAAAAAAAAm0/iTGCIeySFr8/s1600/DSC_0163.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0NBaawNwI/AAAAAAAAAm0/iTGCIeySFr8/s400/DSC_0163.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498065038011807490" style="cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0NAemHRXI/AAAAAAAAAmk/jngC5M5Tebg/s1600/DSC_0165.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0NAemHRXI/AAAAAAAAAmk/jngC5M5Tebg/s400/DSC_0165.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498065021953328498" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0NAxzdNEI/AAAAAAAAAms/DqM6bsjgXCM/s1600/DSC_0161+rev.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0NAxzdNEI/AAAAAAAAAms/DqM6bsjgXCM/s400/DSC_0161+rev.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498065027109565506" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Now, we're obviously not done. But what we've been able to accomplish has almost made me able to forget that I showed up several times to Home Depot looking like this.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0OTM4tZWI/AAAAAAAAAm8/3hOTimLNr-s/s1600/IMG_1244.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/TE0OTM4tZWI/AAAAAAAAAm8/3hOTimLNr-s/s400/IMG_1244.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498066443128628578" style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I'm a very sore but very happy girl. Next on the list this summer is the new fence, taking down the 80 ft. dead pine tree, and starting to make the courtyard (my absolute favorite part of the house) as amazing as I hope it will be. I'll be posting our progress to make sure we keep making it. Other things I'll be posting about very shortly include pics from my work trip to Europe, reasons why we love our dog and why the DMV thinks Jon is gay (spoiler alert: he's not). </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-42482047021586284102009-04-16T10:12:00.000-07:002009-04-16T10:15:45.891-07:00The Never-Ending StoryA PLOT SUMMARY:<br /><br /><i>Two best friends start a stationery company, despite knowing little about such things as "invoices" or "money." Although the odds are long, these underdogs openly defy them and take the industry by storm with their impeccable style and strangely catchy vocal mannerisms. After being declared paper goods moguls, they retire to a luxe life of endless supplies of Bugles, long lunches and "America's Next Top Model." </i><br /><br /><br />No, this isn't the script for the next Hanna Montana movie. This is real life, people. Or at least we hope it will be.<br /><br />As many of you know, we (Kristin and Amy) have been working for the last several months on a stationery line called Junky Heirloom. We got accepted to the National Stationery Show in New York in May and are busting our faces to be ready. We are going to be getting the initial run of our line back from the printers soon and we wanted to share it with you. We also wanted to document the whole story of our experience starting our own company and going out on a limb for our dreams. So we decided to start a new blog.<br /><br />You can go to it here: <a href="http://mostlyhappenchance.blogspot.com">mostlyhappenchance.blogspot.com</a><br /><br />We are going to be posting on this blog every day before the Stationery Show to tell you what we're doing and show you all of the different aspects of our preparation. We hope you'll tune in with us and follow along. It should be interesting at the very least. We are also going to try to use the blog to help generate awareness of our company before the show, so if you want to tell your friends about it, we would love the support. If you have any suggestions, we welcome those as well.<br /><br />Here goes nothing!<br /><br /><br />Kristin and AmyAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-63412758459632985522009-04-13T08:39:00.000-07:002009-04-13T08:46:18.305-07:00I love this guy.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/SeNeN82fZiI/AAAAAAAAAZU/uaEJIFrbEb0/s1600-h/jonnorahsmall1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 597px; height: 399px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/SeNeN82fZiI/AAAAAAAAAZU/uaEJIFrbEb0/s400/jonnorahsmall1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324202778248046114" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Lots of fun pictures from our various Easter-weekend festivities are soon to come. But I wanted to take a second to throw this one up of Jon and Norah (the adorable baby of our friends Sarah Jane and Nathan) because it's a perfect example of why I love Jon so much. He just has a cute face.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-2505692631011595722009-03-26T12:51:00.000-07:002009-03-26T13:26:34.245-07:00We're a Real Family Now<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/ScvkFowxM8I/AAAAAAAAAY0/DerVEXIHwBY/s1600-h/magda1small.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/ScvkFowxM8I/AAAAAAAAAY0/DerVEXIHwBY/s400/magda1small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317594570533450690" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />So, this is our new puppy Magda. We went to go see her brother and ended up loving her more. So she came home with us. Way to work it, puppy.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/ScvkF3f_TcI/AAAAAAAAAY8/QMXB3MGC94s/s1600-h/magda2small.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/ScvkF3f_TcI/AAAAAAAAAY8/QMXB3MGC94s/s400/magda2small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317594574489603522" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Other things about Magda:<br /><br />- She slept through the night last night (we did not realize at the time of buying her that we would be taking her out four times a night for the first three days-- we are thankful that this stage appears to have passed).<br /><br />- She can do awesome tricks, like looking cute and jumping over Jon's leg.<br /><br />- She's turned me into one of those people that lets their dog lick their face.<br /><br />- I did actually think for a moment that it might be cute to put a little outfit on her.<br /><br /><br />So, I lost my dignity but gained a pretty cute puppy. Be sure to honk and wave if you see us out and about. She'll be the dog in the sailor suit.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/ScvkGEOKW1I/AAAAAAAAAZE/in1IuglpCWQ/s1600-h/magda3small.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/ScvkGEOKW1I/AAAAAAAAAZE/in1IuglpCWQ/s400/magda3small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317594577904491346" border="0" /></a>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-62709326624348644302009-03-03T08:12:00.000-08:002009-03-03T08:24:00.680-08:00This guy is the worst.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/Sa1ZBWATxaI/AAAAAAAAAYs/cotEEXyTDRc/s1600-h/jason.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 93px; height: 139px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/Sa1ZBWATxaI/AAAAAAAAAYs/cotEEXyTDRc/s400/jason.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308997415361299874" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />That's all I wanted to say. I can't decide whether I'm more annoyed that I stayed up until 1:30 watching him make a complete a** of himself or that I watched an entire season of television waiting for it to happen. Or that I publicly defended The Bachelor in front of groups of people that I respect. Or that I wore a t-shirt with his face on it. No I didn't.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-89440507905079256632009-02-26T10:09:00.000-08:002009-02-27T09:38:48.441-08:00The Jindal TrifectaIt's amazing how one speech can result in not one, not two, but <span style="font-style:italic;">three</span> of my favorite media moments this week.<br /><br />First, this.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YwQ5eVvBGwY&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YwQ5eVvBGwY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Yes. You did hear Chris Matthews say that out loud. My theory, though, is that it was actually Keith Olbermann saying it-- and Chris Matthews took the bullet for him. Whoever it was, it was amazing.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And then, this.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IxHoWEdcbcM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IxHoWEdcbcM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><br />And now, the best of all:<br /><br /><br /><object width="512" height="296"><param name="movie" value="http://www.hulu.com/embed/sZcukex49cLxsW-dfWvB4Q"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.hulu.com/embed/sZcukex49cLxsW-dfWvB4Q" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" width="512" height="296"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><br />I feel bad for Bobby Jindal. But maybe some good will come of this: maybe next time they'll actually get Kenneth to deliver the Republican response.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-80794472192965870042009-02-23T13:51:00.000-08:002009-02-23T14:15:44.344-08:00What Happens When Tagging Meets Crafts Meets Blog Give-aways?Get ready, people. As alluded to in the title, I am really covering all the post-modern blogging bases in this post here.<br /><br />So, we've established that I like projects. And, by way of update, we did end up getting those curtains on our next trip to Ikea because 1) Jon is really the best husband ever, and 2) I made up a ruse project. And it sounded even crazier than the curtains. While Jon was busy rightfully vetoing <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> crazy-a** project, I was sneaking the curtains into the giant yellow Ikea bag.<br /><br />And it worked! (pictures soon to come)<br /><br />So, on to the next project.<br /><br />This one comes via my great friends Holly and Andy. They did this <a href="http://hollyandpaul.blogspot.com/2009/02/lets-get-crafty.html">fun thing on their blogs</a>. I wasn't in time to cash in on Andy's and, technically, I wasn't even actually in time to cash in on Holly's (but I thought I was and, turns out, that was enough-- welcome to my life). Here's how it works:<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Just for you.</span><br /><br /><br />This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:<br /><br />1- I get to choose what I make for you.<br />2- There are no returns or exchanges.<br />3- Your creation will be just for you.<br />4- It'll be done this year.<br />5- You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a poem. It may be a mix-tape. It may be a small child. Remember: no returns.<br /><br /><br />The catch? You have to join the tagging-crafting-giveaway ranks by re-posting this on your own blog and offering the same deal to 5 of your own lucky blog readers.<br /><br />So, the first 5 people to leave a comment telling me they are in win a homemade gift by me!<br /><br />Note: No crushing people in your hurry to comment. This isn't Wal-Mart here.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774788023664531541.post-90203594510419563602009-02-06T13:04:00.000-08:002009-02-06T13:32:02.820-08:00I'm Glad You Don't Mind That I'm A LunaticPoor Jon. He thought that our recent move into our fun new apartment (I'll post pictures when it doesn't look like a bomb that blew up at a garage sale) was going to keep me satisfied for more than four days.<br /><br />Unfortunately, we're learning that I have an infinite capacity to want stuff.<br /><br />It's not that I'm materialistic. I don't want stuff just to have stuff. But I love projects. And more importantly, I think it keeps me off medication sometimes. Rather than popping a Xanax (I have a sneaky suspicion that I could also love prescription drugs), I arrange furniture in my head. All day. Jon aptly termed it a "healthy fixation."<br /><br />Which might help to explain why I was almost in tears at Ikea last night when my convoluted explanation of how I would attach the curtains below to a network of exposed piping in our bedroom with imaginary hardware was met with less than the rapturous reaction I was hoping for from Jon.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/SYyrDWDr6zI/AAAAAAAAAYk/Hnhxf_diHNw/s1600-h/70815_PE186062_S3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 250px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rjz0TMMXFPk/SYyrDWDr6zI/AAAAAAAAAYk/Hnhxf_diHNw/s400/70815_PE186062_S3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299798935457229618" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Sorry, dude. At least now you know what a temper tantrum in Sweden would be like. Taking me out for ice cream afterwards was a really nice touch. Just one more reason I'm glad I married you.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14660703611088812653noreply@blogger.com5