So this morning I woke up and told Travis "I totally dreamed that Farrah Fawcett died. Was that on the radio or something?"
"No," he replied. "It must've been a dream."
Just now, I found this article.
Farrah Fawcett died this morning at 9:30 PST, which, I think, is 10:30 MST, four hours AFTER I had my dream.
How weird is that??
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Weekend Exposure: What have you let fall by the wayside?
I haven't done these in months...hell, I haven't blogged in months. But I figured I would catch up on the Weekend Exposure project. Learn about it here.
Quick But Cute
The other day Walker and I were walking past our kitchen window, where I have two little ceramic chickens. Walker pointed at one chicken and very clearly said "Duck."
"Yes!!" I praised him. "That duck is called a chicken." I figured run with it. He's 16 months old, for the love of Pete. He saw the similarities and said the closest thing he had a word for.
He looked at the chicken again, then at me and corrected me:
"Bird."
"Yes!!" I praised him. "That duck is called a chicken." I figured run with it. He's 16 months old, for the love of Pete. He saw the similarities and said the closest thing he had a word for.
He looked at the chicken again, then at me and corrected me:
"Bird."
Monday, February 09, 2009
One Year Ago
Last night, as I was climbing into bed, I looked at the clock: 9:15 (yeah, I know...it was a long weekend).
"Hey, do you realize it was one year ago RIGHT NOW that we checked into the hospital to have Walker??" I commented to Travis.
One year ago right now I was sitting in a hospital room, having just had my water broken, and was getting an epidural. It had been a long night of trying to rest while the contractions began to increase in intensity. We had been watching movies all morning, visiting with friends and family, and generally just sitting around waiting.
It would be another fifteen and a half hours before we welcomed our little boy into the world. One failed attempt at pushing left me convinced that I would have a c-section, something I've come to realize now I thought I'd have all along. While "giving my uterus time to work the baby down" before resuming pushing, I tried to rest, but mostly thought "I can't do this! It's too hard."
Round two started. My mom, mother in law, sister and Travis were all rooting me on. I never thought I'd want anyone in the room but Travis, but after 31 hours of labor, the janitor could have been in the room mopping and I wouldn't have cared. There were a few tears of frustration, many four letter words, and even one "Tell me how far up he still is! I mean, give it to me in INCHES!!" And then for one horrifying moment I thought "what if he's funny looking? What if he's really cone-headed and gray and squishy faced? I don't think I can love him, because right now? Not his biggest fan."
And then he came out. I sobbed in relief. I admit it. I was SO glad to have it over with. And then I heard his sweet little cry. And I bawled even harder. The doctor wiped him up and put him on my tummy. We looked at each other and all of a sudden, trite though it may sound, we were the only two people in the room. Everyone else seemed to fall away as my son (MY SON!) and I got to know one another.
I don't know what I expected him to look like, but he was more amazing than anything I could have imagined. His tiny little hands, his perfect little face, they all took my breath away. He wasn't even a little bit funny looking. He was pink and disgruntled looking and perfect in every way. I snuggled him in and realized that I've never loved anyone more ever in my life. And then Travis was next to me. "Would you like to hold your son?" The look on his face was pure shock and amazement. It was the single most beautiful experience of my life.
Now, when I was in your shoes and I heard people say that, it was all I could do not to roll my eyes. But there's no other way to describe it. It was amazing and weird and miraculous and surreal and astounding and messy and...beautiful. And suddenly, I wouldn't have traded one day of the previous nine months, not one second of the last 31 hours, if it meant giving up that moment.
The next few hours, if not days, were a blur. But that moment, that experience, will never fade from my memory. Looking at Walker, seeing him for the first time, hearing his faint little cry, my entire life changed forever. And I wouldn't go back for anything.
"Hey, do you realize it was one year ago RIGHT NOW that we checked into the hospital to have Walker??" I commented to Travis.
One year ago right now I was sitting in a hospital room, having just had my water broken, and was getting an epidural. It had been a long night of trying to rest while the contractions began to increase in intensity. We had been watching movies all morning, visiting with friends and family, and generally just sitting around waiting.
It would be another fifteen and a half hours before we welcomed our little boy into the world. One failed attempt at pushing left me convinced that I would have a c-section, something I've come to realize now I thought I'd have all along. While "giving my uterus time to work the baby down" before resuming pushing, I tried to rest, but mostly thought "I can't do this! It's too hard."
Round two started. My mom, mother in law, sister and Travis were all rooting me on. I never thought I'd want anyone in the room but Travis, but after 31 hours of labor, the janitor could have been in the room mopping and I wouldn't have cared. There were a few tears of frustration, many four letter words, and even one "Tell me how far up he still is! I mean, give it to me in INCHES!!" And then for one horrifying moment I thought "what if he's funny looking? What if he's really cone-headed and gray and squishy faced? I don't think I can love him, because right now? Not his biggest fan."
And then he came out. I sobbed in relief. I admit it. I was SO glad to have it over with. And then I heard his sweet little cry. And I bawled even harder. The doctor wiped him up and put him on my tummy. We looked at each other and all of a sudden, trite though it may sound, we were the only two people in the room. Everyone else seemed to fall away as my son (MY SON!) and I got to know one another.
I don't know what I expected him to look like, but he was more amazing than anything I could have imagined. His tiny little hands, his perfect little face, they all took my breath away. He wasn't even a little bit funny looking. He was pink and disgruntled looking and perfect in every way. I snuggled him in and realized that I've never loved anyone more ever in my life. And then Travis was next to me. "Would you like to hold your son?" The look on his face was pure shock and amazement. It was the single most beautiful experience of my life.
Now, when I was in your shoes and I heard people say that, it was all I could do not to roll my eyes. But there's no other way to describe it. It was amazing and weird and miraculous and surreal and astounding and messy and...beautiful. And suddenly, I wouldn't have traded one day of the previous nine months, not one second of the last 31 hours, if it meant giving up that moment.
The next few hours, if not days, were a blur. But that moment, that experience, will never fade from my memory. Looking at Walker, seeing him for the first time, hearing his faint little cry, my entire life changed forever. And I wouldn't go back for anything.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Only in America
Today our great nation welcomed a new president to the White House. I've never taken too much of an interest in politics, but watching the Inauguration ceremony, I found myself surprisingly choked up with pride. Though proud of what? To be an American? Of course. To finally put into the highest office in our nation a man who, mere decades ago, was not allowed to cast a vote? Absolutely. But that wasn't quite it. What was it about the Inauguration that caused the tears of joy to spring to my eyes, even though I didn't vote for the man being sworn into office?
And then my friend Melia wrote this on my Facebook page: "I didn't really expect to watch any coverage today, but find myself verclempt at the change over. To see our country change hands of leadership in peace is great!" That's exactly it. Our nation has a peaceful change of power every 4 - 8 years. How amazing that, in a world overridden by men trying to bully their way to power, murdering and torturing along the way, trying to forcefully control their nations greedily, we as Americans watch as the Former President and the newly sworn in President embrace!
Without guns or violence we give another man a turn at running things. And THAT is what makes me proud to be an American today. No, I didn't vote for him. But he's MY President now.
Congratulations, Mr. President! And God bless you!!
And then my friend Melia wrote this on my Facebook page: "I didn't really expect to watch any coverage today, but find myself verclempt at the change over. To see our country change hands of leadership in peace is great!" That's exactly it. Our nation has a peaceful change of power every 4 - 8 years. How amazing that, in a world overridden by men trying to bully their way to power, murdering and torturing along the way, trying to forcefully control their nations greedily, we as Americans watch as the Former President and the newly sworn in President embrace!
Without guns or violence we give another man a turn at running things. And THAT is what makes me proud to be an American today. No, I didn't vote for him. But he's MY President now.
Congratulations, Mr. President! And God bless you!!
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Back by Popular Demand...
...which basically means that two people said to me "hey, you never update your blog anymore. What's up with that?" So I'm back in business, baby!
The holiday season is over, and I wish I could say that it was all packed neatly away in the storage area for another year, but, alas, it is not. It's still Christmas around the old Tabbal house, a situation I'm hoping to rectify this weekend.
Walker's first Halloween / Thanksgiving / Christmas were awesome!! He really is just the cutest little thing! And having him made the holidays that much more fun for Travis and I. Though we didn't get the decorations up terribly early for some holidays and others not at all (how do people have time to work, parent, run a house AND decorate for the holidays!?!?), it still brought something new to the table having a kid to share it all with.
For Halloween, Walker's Nana Tabbal made him a bumble bee costume. He looked adorable!
We took him to a pumpkin patch all dressed up for a photo op, and he knocked 'em dead! He didn't really seem to get what the fuss was about, but he loved being put down in the field and allowed to pick up the straw from the ground and perform a little taste test, play with the pumpkins, and screech to his little heart's delight.
We trick or treated my mom a week early, as she was going to Disneyland with Connie, Chris and the girls over Halloween, and then "trick or treated" the Tabbals the night before Halloween. Trick or Treated is in quotes because Walker wasn't really dressed in his bee costume, but rather his Little Monster jammies.
The jammies couldn't have been more accurate. Walker wasn't in the best of moods, but his Auntie Tristin was visiting from "The Mitten" (Michigan), so we braved it anyway.
On Halloween, we worked the neighbors. We started with my Uncle Niel's house, where he was treated to Smarties (well....Mommy ate them....choking hazard....that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!).
Then we visited Uncle Jerry and Aunt Gina and the kids, where he was rewarded for his cuteness with a package of baby links (his favorite teether in the world).
Finally, it was on to Auntie Beth's house, where he was spoiled rotten with Tootsie Pops. You'll notice that that's Tootsie Pops, plural. Every time he'd give one a couple of sucks and then drop it, his Auntie would grab another one and let him keep sucking. The result was one happy kid, one sticky bee costume, and one trip to the grocery store for Walker's first tooth brush (only two teeth, but come on...he's never had that much sugar before).
Images of Thanksgiving and Christmas soon to come!
The holiday season is over, and I wish I could say that it was all packed neatly away in the storage area for another year, but, alas, it is not. It's still Christmas around the old Tabbal house, a situation I'm hoping to rectify this weekend.
Walker's first Halloween / Thanksgiving / Christmas were awesome!! He really is just the cutest little thing! And having him made the holidays that much more fun for Travis and I. Though we didn't get the decorations up terribly early for some holidays and others not at all (how do people have time to work, parent, run a house AND decorate for the holidays!?!?), it still brought something new to the table having a kid to share it all with.
For Halloween, Walker's Nana Tabbal made him a bumble bee costume. He looked adorable!
We took him to a pumpkin patch all dressed up for a photo op, and he knocked 'em dead! He didn't really seem to get what the fuss was about, but he loved being put down in the field and allowed to pick up the straw from the ground and perform a little taste test, play with the pumpkins, and screech to his little heart's delight.
We trick or treated my mom a week early, as she was going to Disneyland with Connie, Chris and the girls over Halloween, and then "trick or treated" the Tabbals the night before Halloween. Trick or Treated is in quotes because Walker wasn't really dressed in his bee costume, but rather his Little Monster jammies.
The jammies couldn't have been more accurate. Walker wasn't in the best of moods, but his Auntie Tristin was visiting from "The Mitten" (Michigan), so we braved it anyway.
On Halloween, we worked the neighbors. We started with my Uncle Niel's house, where he was treated to Smarties (well....Mommy ate them....choking hazard....that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!).
Then we visited Uncle Jerry and Aunt Gina and the kids, where he was rewarded for his cuteness with a package of baby links (his favorite teether in the world).
Finally, it was on to Auntie Beth's house, where he was spoiled rotten with Tootsie Pops. You'll notice that that's Tootsie Pops, plural. Every time he'd give one a couple of sucks and then drop it, his Auntie would grab another one and let him keep sucking. The result was one happy kid, one sticky bee costume, and one trip to the grocery store for Walker's first tooth brush (only two teeth, but come on...he's never had that much sugar before).
Images of Thanksgiving and Christmas soon to come!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The Highlight of my Weekend
Walker casually rests his elbow on his favorite arm rest.Walker, apparently, was bitter about his escape being foiled and retaliated with his only defense: he barfed on the top of Daddy's head. There stood Travis mouth agape in horror, barf dripping down the side of his face.
It was AWESOME!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
An Uncharacteristic Post
I had my gallbladder taken out today. All in all it was a very easy surgery, but, having never had surgery before, I was understandably nervous.
Normally, I'm relatively private about my religion, mainly because I don't know that I present the best portrait of a Mormon. I don't attend meetings, I have a foul mouth (which I have been working on), and I can be just as crass as a sailor on leave. But I do have a firm belief in the fundamental principles of the faith. One thing I have a very serious reverence for is the power of the Priesthood. I've seen it work with my own eyes in the most profound ways. So, this morning, when I dropped Walker off with my brother in law before the surgery, I asked him to give me a blessing. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with an LDS blessing, it's when an Elder of the church, holding the Melchizdek Priesthood, lays his hands on your head and uses the power of the Priesthood to say a special prayer over you.
Chris has been kind enough to do this for me in the recent past, when I had Walker, and also for my husband when he had surgery. And this morning, in the middle of my blessing, unbidden, I thought "I should totally blog about this." Which, to me, seems like a strange, if not irreverent, thing to think in the middle of a prayer. I don't know if my mind was just wandering or if I was being prompted to share my feelings about blessings, but I haven't been able to get the idea out of my head all day, so I'm going to assume it's the latter.
Every time I've asked for a blessing, I've been in some kind of distress and, frankly, very afraid. They've always been held in my esteem as very private and sacred moments, not to be taken lightly. But the one thing I felt I should share, the prompting I feel I was given, is the feeling of peace that comes over me the moment the Elder's hands lay upon my head. This morning I was particularly frightened. Not that there was ever much of a chance of anything going drastically wrong, but there's always a part of me that thinks of the "what ifs." And this time, the biggest what if, the thing that scared me the most was "what if I die and leave my baby motherless." Now, logically I know that gallbladder surgery is a very routine procedure, but in my defense, Walker had been up most of the night with a fever, so I was pretty sleep deprived myself, and I have a tendency to be much more melodramatic than normal when I'm tired.
But the moment Chris put his hands on my head, a warm feeling of peace filled me and I knew everything was going to be all right. The only thing I can compare it to is being wrapped in a cozy blanket during a winter storm. It may be cold and icy and scary outside, but inside it's warm and safe and comfortable. The words he spoke whispered to the very deepest part of me that everything would turn out as it should and that my family and I would be safe. I knew, without a doubt, that whatever happened, God was watching over me and my family.
That's what I love about God: that he can overlook all the things I've done that have not brought me, or Him, honor and still extend his loving care over me. Maybe it's just the Loritab talking. But I feel truly blessed right now to have that knowledge and the faith that I've been taught, and I wanted to share that thought.
Normally, I'm relatively private about my religion, mainly because I don't know that I present the best portrait of a Mormon. I don't attend meetings, I have a foul mouth (which I have been working on), and I can be just as crass as a sailor on leave. But I do have a firm belief in the fundamental principles of the faith. One thing I have a very serious reverence for is the power of the Priesthood. I've seen it work with my own eyes in the most profound ways. So, this morning, when I dropped Walker off with my brother in law before the surgery, I asked him to give me a blessing. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with an LDS blessing, it's when an Elder of the church, holding the Melchizdek Priesthood, lays his hands on your head and uses the power of the Priesthood to say a special prayer over you.
Chris has been kind enough to do this for me in the recent past, when I had Walker, and also for my husband when he had surgery. And this morning, in the middle of my blessing, unbidden, I thought "I should totally blog about this." Which, to me, seems like a strange, if not irreverent, thing to think in the middle of a prayer. I don't know if my mind was just wandering or if I was being prompted to share my feelings about blessings, but I haven't been able to get the idea out of my head all day, so I'm going to assume it's the latter.
Every time I've asked for a blessing, I've been in some kind of distress and, frankly, very afraid. They've always been held in my esteem as very private and sacred moments, not to be taken lightly. But the one thing I felt I should share, the prompting I feel I was given, is the feeling of peace that comes over me the moment the Elder's hands lay upon my head. This morning I was particularly frightened. Not that there was ever much of a chance of anything going drastically wrong, but there's always a part of me that thinks of the "what ifs." And this time, the biggest what if, the thing that scared me the most was "what if I die and leave my baby motherless." Now, logically I know that gallbladder surgery is a very routine procedure, but in my defense, Walker had been up most of the night with a fever, so I was pretty sleep deprived myself, and I have a tendency to be much more melodramatic than normal when I'm tired.
But the moment Chris put his hands on my head, a warm feeling of peace filled me and I knew everything was going to be all right. The only thing I can compare it to is being wrapped in a cozy blanket during a winter storm. It may be cold and icy and scary outside, but inside it's warm and safe and comfortable. The words he spoke whispered to the very deepest part of me that everything would turn out as it should and that my family and I would be safe. I knew, without a doubt, that whatever happened, God was watching over me and my family.
That's what I love about God: that he can overlook all the things I've done that have not brought me, or Him, honor and still extend his loving care over me. Maybe it's just the Loritab talking. But I feel truly blessed right now to have that knowledge and the faith that I've been taught, and I wanted to share that thought.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Friday, October 03, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
The Apple Doesn't Fall Far
I got another call this morning from my brother in law, Chris, who generously watches Walker for us. He was asking when the last time Walker had Tylenol, because teething is still kicking his little diapered butt. We hadn't given him any since last night, so it was a go for drugging my little tater tot.
About two minutes later, I got another call, this time from a very amused sister of mine. Apparently Chris went ahead and gave Walker the medicine, much to Walker's delight. He got very calm and began acting somewhat placid.
Chris moved in to play with him, Walker all the while giving Chris the big Puss In Boots eyes. Chris got closer and closer to my baby's sweet little face; Walker got cuter and cuter with every inch. Then, when Chris was within range and completely lulled into complacency, Walker took his opportunity:
He blew a big old Grape Tylenol flavored raspberry right in Chris' face.
My baby's a luller. Just like his father.
About two minutes later, I got another call, this time from a very amused sister of mine. Apparently Chris went ahead and gave Walker the medicine, much to Walker's delight. He got very calm and began acting somewhat placid.
Chris moved in to play with him, Walker all the while giving Chris the big Puss In Boots eyes. Chris got closer and closer to my baby's sweet little face; Walker got cuter and cuter with every inch. Then, when Chris was within range and completely lulled into complacency, Walker took his opportunity:
He blew a big old Grape Tylenol flavored raspberry right in Chris' face.
My baby's a luller. Just like his father.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
The List
The latest topic of conversation at my office has been "who is on your List?" We all know what The List is. It's the famous Friends episode: the five people that you're allowed to cheat with should the opportunity arise. Of course, The List really must comprise of The Unattainable; those with whom your path will likely never cross. But if it should, you are preapproved by your significant other to have an affair with the aforementioned List member.
My List has classically been comprised of two Lists, really. Because I don't want to get caught in the Ross Gellar / Isabella Rossalini trap, I've historically had a list of foreign and domestics. But, for the purposes of the office confab, I've tried to narrow it to one list only. While the list is officially only five people, the originator of this conversation could not narrow it down to five, and therefore, we are allowed seven choices. So here are mine. I'd like to add the disclaimer that this list is an ever evolving ever changing project and I would never go so far as to laminate my List. I would hate to commit to these seven for the rest of my life and then, in three years, a new actor arrives on the scene and bumps one of my List Members off. But I digress:
JEFFREY DEAN MORGAN
Ah, Denny. I fell in love with JDM as Denny Duquette in Grey's Anatomy. Then I realized he was in Supernatural as John Winchester. We watched the episode where Denny died the same week the season premiere of Supernatural aired in which John Winchester dies. I was crushed. Now I've found him in Weeds, where he plays Judah Botwin, a woman's DEAD husband. I'm noticing a theme here, Jeff, and I'm not happy about it.
ANDY GARCIA
I discovered Andy in When a Man Loves a Woman and have loved him ever since. I mean, come ON. Look at him, for heaven's sake! And that whole Cuban thing? Hello, Andy!!
JIM CARREY
I can't help it! He's funny! And laughter goes a long way for me!! He's lanky, he's got horse teeth, and I'd still do it!
ANTONIO BANDERAS
I've discovered during this process that I have a little thing for Latin men. I love Antonio. If you need to know why, just watch Desperado. That love scene! Wow. He's short, but he can sing, he can dance, and he's just plain pretty!
VINCE VAUGHN
Again with the funny. I love him in Clay Pigeons, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, The Wedding Crashers, Swingers, Made...the list goes on and on. But his dramatic stuff is also really awesome. I have to admit that I loved his version of Norman Bates better than Anthony Perkins', and if you REALLY want to see Vince in his prime, the movie that started the love affair: Return to Paradise.
ROBERT DOWNEY, JR.
I've maintained for years that RDJ's problem with drugs would be completely solved if he and I met and substituted sex for drugs. Problem solved!!
GERARD BUTLER
This is the reason I would never laminate my list. King Leonidas had to be added, especially after seeing him in PS I Love You with my friend, Jeffrey.
HONORABLE MENTION
STEVE IRWIN, aka THE CROCODILE HUNTER
Okay, I know he's no longer with us, but still...
Now and always, Steve-o!
So there you have it. And now I propose a new list. A list of those that you would probably add to your List, if you weren't just the slightest bit embarrassed about it. Any takers?
My List has classically been comprised of two Lists, really. Because I don't want to get caught in the Ross Gellar / Isabella Rossalini trap, I've historically had a list of foreign and domestics. But, for the purposes of the office confab, I've tried to narrow it to one list only. While the list is officially only five people, the originator of this conversation could not narrow it down to five, and therefore, we are allowed seven choices. So here are mine. I'd like to add the disclaimer that this list is an ever evolving ever changing project and I would never go so far as to laminate my List. I would hate to commit to these seven for the rest of my life and then, in three years, a new actor arrives on the scene and bumps one of my List Members off. But I digress:
JEFFREY DEAN MORGANAh, Denny. I fell in love with JDM as Denny Duquette in Grey's Anatomy. Then I realized he was in Supernatural as John Winchester. We watched the episode where Denny died the same week the season premiere of Supernatural aired in which John Winchester dies. I was crushed. Now I've found him in Weeds, where he plays Judah Botwin, a woman's DEAD husband. I'm noticing a theme here, Jeff, and I'm not happy about it.
ANDY GARCIAI discovered Andy in When a Man Loves a Woman and have loved him ever since. I mean, come ON. Look at him, for heaven's sake! And that whole Cuban thing? Hello, Andy!!
JIM CARREYI can't help it! He's funny! And laughter goes a long way for me!! He's lanky, he's got horse teeth, and I'd still do it!
ANTONIO BANDERASI've discovered during this process that I have a little thing for Latin men. I love Antonio. If you need to know why, just watch Desperado. That love scene! Wow. He's short, but he can sing, he can dance, and he's just plain pretty!
VINCE VAUGHNAgain with the funny. I love him in Clay Pigeons, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, The Wedding Crashers, Swingers, Made...the list goes on and on. But his dramatic stuff is also really awesome. I have to admit that I loved his version of Norman Bates better than Anthony Perkins', and if you REALLY want to see Vince in his prime, the movie that started the love affair: Return to Paradise.
ROBERT DOWNEY, JR.I've maintained for years that RDJ's problem with drugs would be completely solved if he and I met and substituted sex for drugs. Problem solved!!
GERARD BUTLERThis is the reason I would never laminate my list. King Leonidas had to be added, especially after seeing him in PS I Love You with my friend, Jeffrey.
HONORABLE MENTION
STEVE IRWIN, aka THE CROCODILE HUNTEROkay, I know he's no longer with us, but still...
Now and always, Steve-o!
So there you have it. And now I propose a new list. A list of those that you would probably add to your List, if you weren't just the slightest bit embarrassed about it. Any takers?
Friday, September 12, 2008
Weekend Exposure Catch Up
After posting my first "Weekend Exposure" picture, I started looking at the past 3 questions and decided I wanted to answer those, too. So here they are:
Weekend Exposure: What do you appreciate most about America?
My friend at work told me about this project, and I thought it sounded really interesting, even if it just gives me a little introspection. I'd love to hear if any of you join in the fun. At any rate, here you have it.
My answer can be found here.
My answer can be found here.
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