Being “quiet” remains the ultimate challenge for Kaelin, and being forced to do so is evidently a memorable and scarring experience for her.

“Ok Kaelin, we need to go to Kinkos.  Let’s find your shoes.”
“Mama, I don’t wanna go be quiet at Kinkos.”

We’ve been trying to get her to be quiet while Mama or Daddo are on the phone.  So far, this is the most success we’ve had:

“Have to be quiet while Mama’s on the phone.  Good girl for being quiet.  I’m being quiet while Mama’s on the phone.  Be very very quiet because Mama’s on the phone.  Good for being quiet while Mama’s on the phone… MAMA, I DON’T WANNA BE QUIET ANYMORE.  I WANNA TALK SOME MORE.”

Other conversations we’ve had today:

“I gave the floor a spanking because it pushed me.  The floor was mean to me.”

(While talking to individually selected macaroni noodles at dinner) “Where’s your mommy?  Are you looking for your mommy?  There’s your mommy and daddy!  Mommy, Daddy, come visit us!”

Oh by the way, there’s a new video up on the Videos page for those who want to hear Kaelin run through a portion of her song repertoire.  You may have to select it from the thumbnails at the bottom of the video screen, since I can’t seem to make it be the default video.  It’s the one of Kaelin standing in front of the Christmas tree.

This is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. .

WordPress isn’t working for me very well – I can’t get it to do several of the basic functions. And it’s just on this site. Which is part of the reason I haven’t been saying much here recently. Must look at a reinstall or something.

Well, we did it.  We survived the Christmas Party weekend.  Jens and I had our “annual” Christmas party last night and I think we actually pulled it off.

For some reason, and despite a lower attendance this year, it was harder on me to put everything together in a timely fashion.  Perhaps it was the fact that Kaelin came down with a fever two days before the party, and was rather needy and underfoot.  Perhaps it was the fact that I’m pregnant and still a little low on energy.  Perhaps it was the fact that my mom has been dealing with some health issues recently that have kept her down and the rest of us worried.

Or maybe just the fact that this Christmas season is just kicking my butt in general.  I do not even want to talk about all the Christmas shopping I haven’t done.  See all those “gifts” under our tree?  Yeah, they’re fake.  EMPTY.  LIKE MY HEAD.

Anyway, yesterday I think we actually managed to throw together a halfway decent gig.  I completely neglected to tweeze my eyebrows or clean my desks, but other than that I think we succeeded in getting everything done, despite my nervous breakdown approximately 1 hour before blastoff.

The party itself was a blast and I really enjoyed getting to catch up with people I haven’t seen in a while.  The people in our lives are such blessings to Jens and myself and throwing this little party once a year is such a good reminder of how truly fortunate we are to know each and every one of you.

My only regret is not having the chance to visit with everyone who came.  Well, that and the fact that you people didn’t eat enough … which may have more to do with my complete lack of ability to judge quantities of food vs. people.  Next year I’m enforcing mandatory doggy bags upon exit – you can’t leave until you fill one and take it with you (insert maniacal laughter here).

I would like to extend large measures of gratitude to the following:

Jens, for stepping up and helping to the extent that you did.  Transporting patio furniture, hanging lights (twice … apparently address labels are not sufficient forms of adhesive for Christmas Lights – who knew?), putting out food and then rearranging it when I decided we had to move the desserts somewhere else.  And today, doing all the post-party dishes.Â�  All of them.  While I stood there and stared blankly at a pot of boiling water for half an hour.  I could not ask for a better husband.

My brother Jon, for volunteering several hours of his day yesterday to helping me prepare, with everything from hauling furniture to putting out appetizers, and without whom I certainly would have gone over the edge at least once before the event.  Dude even wiped down my counter tops.  That’s sacrifice, people.

My parents, for letting us borrow their patio furniture for the sun room, as well as bringing extra serving plates, ice, and the excellent guacamole.  Especially my mom, who surprised us all by showing up despite doctor’s orders to stay home and take it easy.

Robert, and Melissa & Joe, and Malissa & Shane for the lovely hostess gifts.  It was such a sweet gesture and we look forward to enjoying each and every one of them!

Kaelin, for sleeping until 9:30am this morning.  And being content to run around in your diaper while I sat nearly comatose on the couch for most of the day (in my pajamas) and recouped.  Bless you, child.

Christmas party tonight.   God help me.

Thank you all for the sweet comments about the current pregnancy. It’s been rather easy so far and I haven’t had any trouble with morning sickness. That is one nice difference from the last time, even though my sickness the first time was rather manageable.

I’m now approximately 12 weeks and due on June 21. My parents will be gone on a coincidental, but rather poorly timed, trip to Israel until the 20th. We’ll see how that works out.

It’s been disgusting outside today. Which is annoying, because I had a lot of errands to run. And I was really hoping to be out and about in 37 º weather and pouring rain. I’m nothing if not adventuresome.

On the bright side, Kaelin and I went to visit Santa at the mall yesterday. She was absolutely fascinated at first sight. She gets the Santa thing and knows he brings presents on Christmas. I haven’t gotten much out of her on what she wants Santa to bring her this year, except something blue or possibly green, and maybe a doll.

She was really excited about Santa until she found herself in his lap, and then she started getting a bit nervous and calling for Mama. But Santa, who obviously has a few years experience, immediately distracted her with some giant jingle bells and we even got her to flash her brilliant smile … which the photographer didn’t capture. At least she doesn’t look like she’s being forced to eat out of the litter box.

You would think that for $13 a picture, they could manage to hire a photographer with some skill – like knowing how to center a camera. Kaelin nearly got cropped out of her own picture. I had to trim off several inches from the other side of the picture to make it look somewhat balanced. But eh, what can you do.

Our real purpose for braving the mall yesterday was to get Kaelin’s picture taken for the scads of Christmas cards I have yet to mail.  They’re all stuffed and sealed and addressed, but have yet to make it to the mail box.  It’s the 37º and raining thing again – the 10 feet to the mailbox seems like an awfully long trek in that weather.

On a side note, how is it that the year I lose my address book is the year I have a record-breaking number of Christmas cards going out?  Sheesh.

Anyway, what you’re really reading this for:  the pictures…

Wanna know the secret to getting a 2-year old to smile for pictures?Â�  Take a large feather duster-thingie that’s dyed to look like a clown’s wig and wave it around – then stick it in the kid’s face and shake it.

I don’t get that – personally it would make me want to punch someone.Â�  But apparently (see above evidence) it works for the younger crowd.

It’s disgusting outside today.  Which is annoying, because I have a lot of errands to run.  But it’s hard to work up the motivation to go out and run around while it’s raining and 37º outside.  Ick.

On the bright side, Kaelin and I went to visit Santa at the mall yesterday.  She was absolutely fascinated at first sight.  She gets the Santa thing and knows he brings presents on Christmas.  I haven’t gotten much out of her on what she wants Santa to bring her this year, except something blue or possibly green, and maybe a doll.

She was really excited about Santa until she found herself in his lap, and then she started getting a bit nervous and calling for Mama.  But Santa, who obviously has a few years experience, immediately distracted her with some giant jingle bells and we even got her to flash a brilliant smile … which the photographer didn’t capture.

You would think that for $13 a picture, they could manage to hire a photographer with some skill – like knowing how to center a camera.  Kaelin nearly got cropped out of her own picture.  I had to trim off several inches from the other side of the picture to make it look somewhat balanced.  But eh, what can you do.

(during dinner)

“I wanna pray, I wanna pray!  Dear God, thank you for a GREAT DAY.  And thank you for places.  And thank you for Boz.  And thank you for Mama and Daddo.  AAAAA-MEN!”

Bonus Conversation:

We’ve been trying to improve some of Kaelin’s pronunciation.  There are a few words she says a little weird.  Sometimes we resort to poking fun at her.  Which seems to work, in a weird reverse-psychology sort of way…

“I want some meeyoot, please.”

(Daddo pours her some milk) “Ok.  Here’s your meeyoot.”

“Daddo, can you say mil-K?”

Yesterday I was utterly useless.  During this particular pregnancy, I’ve had virtually no trace of morning sickness, which has been nice.  However, I have experienced the fatigue that I remember all too well from the last time around.  Kaelin and I even had to miss a playdate yesterday because I couldn’t make it through blowdrying my hair without laying down for a spell.

It’s very difficult to make excuses for what comes across as total laziness when nobody knows you’re pregnant, so I’m glad the cat’s out of the bag so I can finally complain about it.  Run away, while you still have the chance.

I didn’t tell anyone for a while because there was a chance that this pregnancy wasn’t going to make it past the first trimester.  I bled on and off for a little over two weeks and it had me concerned, so I thought it best to keep quiet about it until I was more sure of the outcome.

I didn’t even tell Jens until shortly before Thanksgiving, which I think he’s a little bitter about.  But frankly, expecting Jens to keep a secret like that is not unlike expecting a blind pig to do long division.  With an abacus.  Wearing boxing gloves.

Today I have a little more energy which, combined with a lot of guilt over the fact that my biggest accomplishment yesterday was putting on my socks, has me in “productive mode.”

Jens hates it when I go into productive mode because it usually necessitates him being somewhat productive as well.  I’m so mean like that.  My list of chores today included planting snapdragons (check), laundry (check) and cleaning the kitchen (eh… 2 out of 3 ain’t bad).

Jens’ list of chores included putting the Christmas lights up outside, a task I have been nagging him about since I ate a Clementine orange several weeks ago and the Christmas Spirit coursed through my veins like a disease, resulting in the full production of Christmas decor.Â