more Liam videos

So we apologize about not having these videos online right in this window, but it's not our fault- blame blogspot. We figured it's been a while since grandma's been able to watch any video of Liam. We've had a hard time documenting it, but Liam's definitely figured out "momma" and "dada"- he calls us all the time; in the painting video you can here him say it right at first. He's jabbered those words for a long time but now we're convinced he knows what they mean.





Tick-tock Liam:



Liam loves to eat, anything:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2364807052209715390&hl=en

Liam's free reign

Liam's new trick of this week- When his parents aren't looking, opening up the toilet and splashing around. We finally got latches on the sliding doors (including the bathroom) so he doesn't have free reign to open every door in the house.

His favorite toy this week has been the lens to Brady's old pair of sunglasses (he's got it in the second shot). We don't know how or where he found it. He carries it with him wherever he goes and when we he leaves it in some obscure place he always manages to come back to it and bring it around with him some more.

We spent much of this Saturday getting ready to paint and improve our family room. When I was at the Carlson's in North Carolina I watched HGTV and have been in home makeover mode ever since. I've been trying to learn about do-it-yourself projects- recovering couches, tiling, sheet rocking, hardwood flooring, updatiing light fixture ect. Some of it we'll actually do and some of it is just fun to read about. When we get our family room done I'll be sure to post some before and after pictures.

Nike- Man Boobs

Alternative Fuels

Little Debbie's Oatmeal Cream pie- my cheap high energy food of choice

One of my core beliefs is that people need to move more.
Our bodies were made to exercise. By design, we were made to withstand physical labor. It seems like technology has nourished the caustic idea of trying to get away with doing as little physical exertion as possible. While working in Sports Medicine Clinics for 4 years, I saw more herniated disks, muscle tears, and replaced joints from inactivity than any other cause. Years of negligence wear at our joints and muscles and then people find themselves baffled why their body spontaneously defects.
Since we have moved to Michigan, one of my primary modes of transportation has been jogging. I put Liam in my jogging stroller and I run to work, to the library, to return videos, to church and city council meetings, to get things from the store. . . .(Yes, I'll admit, I am detered on days when the snow burms overcrowd the side walks) It is my hope that as people drive past the lady jogging in the snow enough times that they will eventually be motivated to dust off their treadmill, tune up their bike, and get their bodies moving. Give it enough time and your body will thank you.

Liam's New Tricks of the week-
Opening doors (most of the doors in our house are sliding doors)
Taking off his pants when he's sick of them
Turning pages of books when cued

Cordially Invited

Saturday evening Brady and I rubbed shoulders with DeWitt's finest, dining with state senators, former governors, the mayor, and other people who looked like newscasters and mostly drove really nice cars. We were the youngest people there by about 15 years, and were of a handful of people under 50. I'd like to think that we add a little diversity to our city government. We even now have a family postcard from our state senator. Why he's passing out extras in February beats us. We're actually pretty surprised that guy could be a senator... But if you ever want to write to Senator Jones, we've got his address on our fridge. Ordinarily, you kind of assume that if the words 'cordially invited' are included in an invitation, you're sure to be the recipient of fine food and great entertainment. Well, we got a Christmas card. And funeral potatoes. And some free mints we stole from the centerpiece. But we still love DeWitt, and will definitely be active in the next state election. And I'm still trying to get more sidewalks and bike lanes up and running.

8

These lists aren't necessarily in order from 1 to 8.

8 things I’m passionate about:
1- Knowing that I have the coolest husband and cutest kid
2- Trail running/enjoying the outdoors
3- Teaching people how to be healthy
4- 'Women Helping Women'- helping women feel better about themselves
5- Infrastructure!!! Building up parks, sidewalks, trails, fitness facilities, bike lanes, etc.
6- My rabbit, Gabe. Love that rabbit!
7- Spending time with family in AK
8- Traveling, and the Russian people.

8 things I want to do before I die:
1- Run a trail marathon.
2- Go to St. Petersburg.
3- Earn a graduate degree in health promotion, cardiac rehab, or something along those lines.
4- Become a good speaker.
5- Be well read- keep learning
6- Play in a symphony
7- Be taken seriously. (That actually might be in the #1 position)
8- Check everything off this list by the time I'm 30.

8 things I say often:
1- Love that rabbit!
2- Man, people are so lazy!
3- I'm serious!
4- Does this make me look older?? Do you think people would take me more seriously if I...?
5- Tubby time, Liam!
6- I should send them a card... (whether I send it or not is a different story)
7- Maybe you just need to take a bath!
8- But I don't wanna get out of my blankets.


8 songs I could listen to over and over:
1- Brandenburg Concerto #5, movement 3
2- If you had one shot, one oppuhtunity, (Lose Yourself, Eminem, EDITED)
3- Love Somebody Like You- Keith Urban
4- Because I Have Been Given Much (Hymn 219)
5- The Broken Road- Rascal Flatts
6- Shut Up (I'm About to Break)- Linkin Park
7- Barber Adagio
8- Clocks- Coldplay

8 things I’ve learned this past year:
1- Parenting is actually harder than it looks, so give people a break
2- Even if you have boobs, breastfeeding does not come naturally
3- Even if you don't live close to family, they're still there.
4- Don't wait for new friends to come to you, or you'll be missing out.
5- God answers prayers in the way that's best for us, even if it doesn't seem like it at first or it's not what we want.
6- It's important to be involved in other activities as a mom.
7- Sometimes, take criticism, othertimes, ignore it.
8- To feel better about yourself, help somebody else out.

North Carolina

Last week I got back spending a week visiting my family, the Carlsons, and meeting up with Melissa in North Carolina. We don't get to meet up together often enough so it was definitely a treat. We had a great time hanging out, eating good food, going shopping and visiting a Revolutionary War battlefield. Lisa, Keith and cousins are great hosts. I was actually very impressed with North Carolina. It was absolutely beautiful with lots of trees and lovely homes.