Happy President's Day!

[Wayne and Garth are lying on the hood of the mirth-mobile, staring at the starlit sky]

Garth Algar: Sometimes I wish I could boldly go where no man has gone before... but I'll probably stay in Aurora. What are you thinking about?
Wayne Campbell: Cassandra. She's a fox. In French she would be called "la renarde" and she would be hunted with only her cunning to protect her.
Garth Algar: She's a babe.
Wayne Campbell: She's a robo-babe. In Latin she would be called "babia majora".
Garth Algar: If she were a president she would be Baberaham Lincoln.


Yes...I'm still here and Jared's size is beginning to astonish passers-by. I had to post that quote from Wayne's World because I can't stop saying it.

Toot-a-loo!

Dear blog readers...here is the thing, the only thing I seem capable of doing is sitting and seeing if I can feel any contractions while watching "America's Best Dance Crew". The other day Sean left his keys stuck in the lock outside our front door. Thankfully, we didn't have any curious robbers as they would have found a welcome invitation to come in and steal our couch. I have decided that I will postpone blogging until I have a darling picture of a newborn to show you. Until then, Sean and I are going to keep an eye on each other and make sure no one accidentally starts the house on fire.

The latest a newborn picture will arrive will be on Feb. 27 as I will be induced on the 26th, but it might just be sooner seeing as things seem to be progressing. You never know.

Until then, I will happily stalk every other blog, just not mine. Wish me luck! Because boy I sure am anxious to meet the little fellow that keeps on shoving his small foot into my lungs and to move forward with my life.

Random Thoughts....Again

Gracie has finally learned to smile for pictures, as a result Sean and I can't stop taking them.

Gracie might be pampered...just a little as this is the face I get when she really wants something. She may or may not have learned it from me.

Me: I want Cafe Rio for dinner.

Sean: The wait is always so long.

Me: (pouty face)

Sean: Okay.

Poor Sean.

Also, no baby yet, which is a good thing expect for the fact that I am ready for this pregnancy to be over and to meet our new little guy. He's getting big and hard to cart around.

Another thing, whenever I watch day time talk shows everyone is always talking about how busy everyone is. I find this not to be true. I think people make the time for things they want to do. For example, I should be busy getting ready for Jared, but all I really want to do is watch TV and move as little as possible. Thus, that is what I do. Instead of telling people this, I will tell them I am too busy to get my behind to the store to buy some binkys. I will then throw my hands in the air and protest that I just have no time.

Thanks to everyone who commented on my baby woes. I needed all the support I could get!

We'll See...

So in a purely dramatic fashion, I called Sean 15 times, had my super fantastic neighbor (thanks!) come watch Gracie, called my mom 14 times, my sister once, my cousin once, my best friend once, my doctor once, all to see if they knew I was in labor. I am plum exhausted, and none of them could tell me for sure.

Talk about a rough day. It all started with severe back cramping follwed by either real contractions or those danged Braxton Hicks things. Anyway I wandered around my house for three hours with tears streaming down my face until I decided I should make some calls. My contractions never did get regular. I still have nasty cramping, but it's too soon. I've decided I need to make it to the 12th. That puts me totally in the black as far as full term. I don't want Jared to come close to being premature. I don't want him to spend his first days in the NICU. I really don't. Having a healthy full-term baby is stressful enough and personally, I am through with stress. So there. I've decided. I am going to tell Jared no. He can't come out yet. I understand that he is squished and excited to get here, but the answer is no, because I said so.

In a totally different topic I am really into the music of Sara Bareilles. I downloaded her new album and can't stop playing it. I highly reccomend. My spell check isn't working. Spelling is not my strong point, please forgive my many errors.

Favorite Memory

The year: 2002.

I had just graduated college and was working, yes, at a sporting goods store. Not in the news as a killer reporter, but as a sales clerk hawking Olympic goods. (the only up side being that I was one of the first people to get those silly beret hats). I had finished work and was leaving to meet my two friends. We were going to wander the streets in search of snow boarders.

I met my friends and we left the downtown mall. The minute our feet hit the pavement we were swept up in a sea of people. Everyone was cheering, yelling and smiling. Not one to go against the crowd I happily allowed myself to be pushed along by this wave of good cheer. In fact, I was so easy going that next thing I knew I was IN THE FRONT ROW of a waiting crowd. I still had no idea what I was waiting for, but the excitement in the air was so contagious. Mary (one of my friends with me) and I kept smiling and cheering. Finally I asked someone next to me what was going on.

"The torch passing to the the first presidency" he yelled.

Right on! Check me out. I was on the front row to a coveted event. I stood there and chatted until the sound of sirens filled the air. Next thing I knew someone ran in front of me holding the Olympic torch and out stepped the first presidency. I cheered as the runner ran up the steps to the building (I can't remember which one it was). The crowed grew sort of silent as the torch being held by the LDS Church president, Gordon B. Hinckley was lit. The crowd erupted. I yelled like a twelve year-old at a Justin Timberlake concert. Cried like one too. That night I walked home in the frosty air, to my new apartment and new life, with an uplifted heart.

I will sure miss him.

My silly hat

New Title

Please excuse me if this blog doesn't make any sense. I can no longer be held accountable for my actions or my emotions. Case in point: I cried at the grocery store when Dixie Chicks' "Traveling Soldier" blared over the speakers. I cried when I smudged my newly painted nails. I cried when I tried to blog earlier and nothing came to my mind. It takes me ten minutes to get up the stairs. I'm pretty sure I could go on and on, but I will spare you the details. Only one month left!!!

Anyway, when I first started to blog my intention was for it to be a blog where I posted bits and pieces of my fiction writing, hence the name "Elements of Style". I named it after one of my favorite grammar books, nerdy and bookish, I know. It turns out that I have not once posted bits of my fiction - ever. I decided to rename my blog to suit it a little better: whimsical bits from the doodles of my mind.

In my current state of creative constipation, Sean thought up the name and did the design. I owe him a big THANK YOU! and maybe when I feel more attractive, a great big kiss, but for now he'll have to settle for a wave across the room as I can't be bothered to put my cake down.

Speaking of cake, my pregnancy had finally rubbed off on Sean! I've heard of stories where men gain weight along with their wives when they are prego. Not the case with me my friends. Today Sean comes home from the grocery store where he has purchased two large slabs of cake. Never once in our married lives have I seen him do anything like this. I asked him was he abducted by an alien? He stood there and looked as confused as me. It's really time I had this baby. Every one's becoming confused.

As a side note, I think it would be highly flattering if an alien did abduct Sean because that would mean some creature from outer space traveled millions and millions of miles just to be with me. The whole thing would be devastating, but highly flattering nonetheless.

I must go now as I would like to make it up the stairs before tomorrow...

Proud Moment

I can honestly say I am not sure when I've been prouder, when I finally slugged my way to news producer or when my sweet daughter pooped in her potty. All things considered, I would have to say it is the latter.

Today Gracie conquered a gigantic fear and came out a winner. Way to go girl! I am so proud of you!