The Huang Family 黃家

Friday in september

2011-09-16T05:06:00.001-07:00

Well we are chugging along.

Every morning Keith leaves for school/work, and I clean up the house and take the kids to a park, on a walk, on a bike ride, just out and around the neighborhood until about 10:30. We've been meeting people and frogs & cats of all sorts. We have a few new people friends. We've had some deliciously cool weather because of a frightening thunderstorm last sunday which has lingered it's gloominess throughout the week.

Yesterday we played in the front yard instead of the park because I wasn't feeling well. But, Mei Mei played with the little yellow push car that Keith's dad bought for Iigen when he was 1. It was iigen's FAVORITE toy ever up until he was about 2, and it is so cute to see mei playing with it. When I sit her on it, she reaches out and grabs the handle bars instinctively. She also likes to stand up behind it and push it while walking -- I keep my hand on her while she does that though.

Schoolwork is going well. I SEEM to be keeping up well with my work.

Iigen is extremely active, and extremely naughty (in the healthy way). Everyday he is exploring something else, and saying something surprising, and doing a new cool trick on his bike, or by jumping off a chair, or whatever it is. Sometimes he'll say "LOOK MOMMY" and I'll look over and see that he is doing something silly like resting his leg up on the second stair, and he is looking at me as if to say, "is this not the coolest trick you ever did see???!"

那麼我們是速度才相處。

每天早晨基思離開學校 /工作，我收拾屋子，直到約 10:30帶著孩子到公園，上散步，騎自行車上，剛剛走出和周圍的鄰居。我們一直在滿足人民和青蛙和種種貓。我們有幾個新朋友。因為我們已經有一個可怕的雷暴天氣涼爽一些可口的最後一個星期日已徘徊在整個本週的沮喪。

昨天我們打在前院，而不是公園，因為我身體不舒服。但是，美美打了小黃推車，Keith的父親為他買的時候 Iigen 1。這是iigen最喜歡的玩具，直到他永遠是約 2，它是那麼可愛，看美與它玩。當我坐在它她，她伸出手抓住了把手和本能。她還喜歡站在身後，並推而走 - 我把我的手，而她，雖然她沒有。

是功課順利。我似乎跟上我的工作。

Iigen非常活躍，非常頑皮的（在健康的方式）。每天，他正在研究別的東西，並說一些令人吃驚，並做了新的酷招他的自行車，或跳下椅子，或不管它是什麼。有時他會說“LOOK媽媽”，我來看看過去，看到他正在做類似的第二台階上休息了他的腿傻了，他看著我，彷彿在說，“這是不是最酷招你以往任何時候都看到???!"

Second Week of School

2011-09-03T05:31:00.001-07:00

There isn't a ton to write about for this week. I am home all day with the two gremlins and Keith is at school studying and working. I make occasional trips to campus doing this thing or the other thing.

I may change my major from Accounting to Finance. We'll see.

Sorry, not a ton to write about. We just try to feed a few pics throughout the week . . .
沒有一噸編寫有關這個星期。我整天在家與兩個搗蛋鬼和Keith是在學校學習和工作。我讓偶爾前往校園做這件事情或其他東西。

我可能會改變我的主要從會計到財務。我們拭目以待。

對不起，不寫一噸左右。我們只是嘗試餵一些圖片整個星期。。。

Hanging out

2011-09-02T16:29:00.001-07:00

In the study

Napping party for the day

2011-08-30T14:44:00.001-07:00

Car sate for us!

Afternoon delight

2011-08-29T14:26:00.001-07:00

Saturday ...

2011-08-27T12:40:00.001-07:00

Homework party!

First week of School, piece of glass in Iigen's foot & 105 degrees outside 第一週學校，一塊玻璃Iigen的腳和105度以外

2011-08-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

So, we started school on Monday. The first week of school is really crazy because you have to read all of your syllabus' so carefully, take note of each of your schedules, mark important dates, have a gazillion email/ phone contact with your instructors (because I know if I don't double check EVERYTHING I will miss something) and then do all of your first week assignments and readings.

I have been home with the kids while taking my classes primarily online, which has its own challenges. I have to skip over to campus for a test, or a word with the professor, or some fitness time in the gym, but it can get dull at home with the kids. I like to get out every day. Sometimes I pack up some sand castle equipment and sit with the kids by the sand-volley-ball net to play "sandbox". I would love to get a part time job and find someone reliable to watch the kids while I do school and work a little, but keith and I decided that Mei Mei would be better off if I waited until spring for that kind of agenda.

So last tuesday Iigen stepped on the TINIEST shard of glass - a leftover from a broken jar on monday- and the world stopped. I called the Doctor who confirmed that the glass must come out (don't ask me what I was hoping for - that he would say Iigen's body would push it out on its own or something?) but when Keith came home and I held Iigen down, poor Iigen just about went into a state of shock. We literally had to stop our attempts because we were worried Iigen would pass out or harm himself in some way. He was SO scared, and we hadn't even touched him with tweezers yet. So we went to bed thinking we would have the doctor do it the next day when Keith woke me up in the middle of the night and asked me to lay down with Iigen. I did, and Keith got a flashlight and plucked the glass out of Iigen's foot while he was sleeping. Iigen screamed in his half asleep-state, but didn't remember it in the morning.

And it is 105 degrees outside, which means that we play in the early morning, and stay in the rest of the day. However, I've been taking Iigen for bike rides after dinner, despite the fact that I feel as though I am melting the entire time. He needs the physical outlet.

因此，我們在星期一開始上學。第一週學校真的是瘋了，因為你必須閱讀所有的教學大綱“這麼仔細，注意每個你日程安排，重要日期標記，有一個極大數的電子郵件 /電話聯繫您的導師（因為我知道如果我不“T仔細檢查一切，我會想念的東西），然後做你的第一個星期的所有任務和讀數。

我一直在家裡與孩子們，而我的課，主要採取網上，有其自身的挑戰。我跳過校園為測試，或一個字的教授，或者一些在健身房健身的時間，但它可以讓沉悶在家與孩子們。我想出去的每一天。有時候，我收拾了一些沙堡的設備和孩子們坐在一起由砂抽射，球網，玩“沙箱”。我很想得到一個兼職工作，找人看孩子們可靠的，而我做的學校和工作了一下，但Keith和我決定，美美會過得更好，如果我等到春天那樣的議程。

因此，上週二 Iigen加強對微小碎片玻璃 - 一個吃剩的破罐子從上週一和世界停止。我叫醫生證實，誰的玻璃必須出來（不要問我什麼，我所期待的 - 他會說 Iigen的身體將其推入了自己的什麼？），但是當基思回家和我舉行了Iigen下來，可憐的Iigen只是進入休克狀態。我們從字面上我們不得不停止嘗試，因為我們擔心 Iigen會傳遞出或以某種方式傷害自己。他是那麼害怕，我們甚至還沒有觸及他用鑷子呢。因此，我們認為我們上了床將有醫生這樣做，第二天我醒來時，基斯在了半夜，問我放下與 Iigen。我做到了，和Keith得到了手電筒和採出的玻璃Iigen的腳，當他睡覺。 Iigen尖叫在他半睡半醒狀態，但不記得是在早晨。

它是105度以外，這意味著我們發揮在清晨，並留在休息的日子。不過，我一直在服用Iigen為騎自行車晚飯後，儘管我感覺好像我融化在整個時間。他需要的物理插座。

New photo

2011-08-21T17:48:00.001-07:00

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Some Old Photos

2011-08-21T05:28:00.000-07:00

Veyo, Dad & School

2011-08-21T05:13:00.000-07:00

Last Weekend we went up to Veyo Pool. It is a natural springs pool tucked away inside of a canyon with a stream, rock climbing, hiking & camping. We were there for 20 minutes - hiking and enjoying our first excursion out of town- when Iigen was stung by a wasp or hornet of some kind. The next hour and a half or so was devoted completely to soothing his "wound" and making him feel better. By the end of it keith and I were so agitated it was very difficult to enjoy ourselves. I took Iigen swimming regardless and he had a blast. On the way back we hit a squirrel, despite Keith's best efforts to avoid it. And when we arrived home we discovered that I had lost the camera.

Dad arrived on Friday, bedraggled . . . But somewhat uplifted because the last stretch of his journey was accompanied with an unusual assortment of intellectuals which made the trip worthwhile. Yesterday we did some very light hiking - I was really worried that I would end up dragging him around, and dad has already confirmed that a temperature which feels wonderful and deliciously comfortable to me, feels like suicide by oven to him. So I was careful . . . but regardless, he drew a cartoon when he got back of me leaning out from my fingertips to the tip of a mountain cliff, with dad terrified below me, and me saying something like, "a little farther dad! Its a great view!"

School starts tomorrow. Marketing, Managerial Finance, Writing in the Professions, a typing class (which I will test out of) and a fitness class. Most of my work will be done from home, again. Keith has an early class on Monday, and a few evening classes scattered around. He has to work during the day, and the accounting internship called him back and asked him if he wouldn't continue working there again. So he'll do that, and some Accounting TA stuff, and chug through keith's last semester at Dixie. We truly don't know what happens next, we are waiting for the tides of school & employment to pull and push us where they may.

I'll upload photos from Dad's visit when We have them. We are getting a new camera soon.

對不起球員，如果這種轉換是有點怪異。
上週末，我們走到Veyo池。它是一種天然溫泉池局促的峽谷內有一條小溪，攀岩，徒步旅行和露營。我們有20分鐘 - 遠足，享受我們的第一個遊出城 - 當 Iigen被蜇由黃蜂或大黃蜂的某種。接下來的一個半小時左右，完全是用於舒緩他的“傷口”，使他感覺更好。截至去年底它的Keith和我是如此激動是很難享受自己。我不管了Iigen游泳和他有一個爆炸。在回來的路上，我們打了松鼠，儘管 Keith的最大努力避免它。而當我們到家時，我們發現，我已經失去了攝像頭。

上週五抵達爸爸，全身濕透。。。但有些隆起，因為最後一段旅程，他伴隨著一個不尋常的品種知識分子這使得行程值得的。昨天我們做了一些很輕的徒步旅行 - 我真的很擔心，我最終會拖他身邊，和爸爸已經證實，溫度的感覺美妙和舒適的美味對我來說，感覺就像自殺烤箱給他。所以我很小心。。。但不管怎樣，他畫了一幅漫畫，當他回來對我扶著從我的指尖給小費的山懸崖，下面我與爸爸嚇壞了，和我說著什麼似的，“小遠爸爸！它的一個偉大的觀點！”

學校從明天開始。市場營銷，財務管理，寫作，在業，打字類（我會測試出）和健身類。大部分我的工作將完成從家裡，再次。基斯有早期的課堂上週一，和一些散落夜校。他白天上班，和會計實習叫他回來，問他，如果他不繼續在那裡工作了。於是，他將做到這一點，有的會計 TA的東西，突突通過 Keith的最後一個學期在迪克西。我們確實不知道接下來會發生什麼，我們正在等待潮汐學校和就業的拉動和推動我們在那裡他們可能。

我上傳的照片從爸爸的訪問時，我們有他們。我們已經看到了新相機的到來。

Night life

2011-08-18T18:43:00.001-07:00

See

2011-08-15T06:34:00.000-07:00

We'll see how this goes. I'm going to try and post every sunday from now on. I am also going to translate in chinese so that Keith's family can follow. Three weeks ago we finished our summer semester. Keith has one more semester to go, and I have . . . a few, but I finished my associates in business this summer! I also have a newly acquired driving permit. Keith is giving me lessons slowly but surely. We may only be living in st george for another 8 or 9 months. We honestly have no idea for sure what will happen next, but we have our eyes on a move to Washington or Oregon.

Mei Mei is crawling her little knees off and trying to climb the bottom step. Iigen can say anything and everything, best friends with the neighbor girl, Gorda, and this fall I am going to focus on him a little bit. He is like a little sprout.

It is hot over here, but we are managing!!

我們將看到如何去。我要去嘗試和後每個星期天從現在開始。我也打算在中國翻譯，讓基思的家庭可以遵循。三個星期前，我們完成了我們的夏季學期。基思多了一個學期去了，我有。。。幾個，但我完成了我的同事在今年夏天生意！我也有一個新獲得的駕駛證。基思給我的教訓是緩慢而穩步地。我們只能住在聖喬治為另外8或9個月。我們誠實地不知道肯定未來會發生什麼，但我們有我們的眼睛就轉移到華盛頓或俄勒岡州。

美美是她的小膝蓋爬行過，並試圖爬上底部的一步。 Iigen可以說什麼，一切，最好的朋友與鄰居女孩，戈爾達，並在今年秋天我將專注於他一點點。他像一個小芽。

在這裡它是熱的，但我們正在管理！

Verbal Update

2010-09-06T07:31:00.001-07:00

Sorry no pics yet!

Life is wonderful, and busy. Keith is taking a phenomenal amount of credits, and I am just taking 13. Three days a week Keith, me and Iigen all go to school together. We fold up the jogging stroller and put it in the back of the car, and Keith re-assembles it in the parking lot. Then Keith and I each have two-hour long classes, which we take turns with, and Keith sometimes has to keep office hours for the Stats Teacher because he is the Stats T-A. And Iigen and I hang out with him while he does that. We love school days. Iigen seems to be really happy on those days. I bring him extra clothes, and he gets out and digs in the dirt, slides through puddles, or sits and watches construction machinery work on the new business building. He eats a sandwhich and snacks in his stroller, and falls alseep in the car home.

Tuesdays I am home by myself for a LONG time and it is . . . really annoying. Almost every Tuesday ends with my nerves completely frazzled. I LOVE hanging out with Gen, but hanging out in the same place, all day, without Keith to divert us is really hard. Oh, I should mention that Gen's nerves frazzle too. BY the end of the day we are both irritated.

Thursdays we stay home, or we go with Keith. Keith is done school at one, so sometimes I play with Gen at the local park for a few hours, and then go for a walk, etc. depends on my mood. Now that I have a house key again I will probably start doing bike rides to fill our time.

Anyways, this schedule feels so nice, that I think we will imitate it the semester that the baby is born. Go out to campus for classes does wonders for the spirit and I think it will be great for me postpartum, rather than wallowing at home.:-)

In preparation for school . . .

2010-08-22T13:04:00.000-07:00

So today we bustled about and did a few things to get ready for school. Mostly during Iigen's nap. Keith really wanted the play room to be his study and the study to be Iigen's play room, so we swapped. Keith did all the backbreaking labor while I cooked and cleaned downstairs. Actually I really just set dough, washed dishes, and made bean salad. When that was done I cleaned the downstairs bathroom and made Gen some lunch which he devoured because I sprinkled powdered sugar on it. Right now the bagels are in the oven, and we might run over to Ross to find a new comforter. The blanket which we received as a wedding present has become so tattered it will be used as a movie blanket.

If posts continue at the same rate during the school semester as they have been, then it will be a god given miracle. Apologies in advance.

LET IT BE KNOWN

2010-08-21T16:24:00.000-07:00

WE OWN HELMETS, AND WE WEAR OUR HELMETS!!!

If I hear another helmet comment, I may start disowning people.

Bike Trailer has Arrived!

2010-08-20T16:05:00.000-07:00

The package arrived!! Its arrival was only dampened by the big black bug which scuttled as fast as it could through the opened door way as the delivery man dropped it off. Keith assembled it, and then we each took it out for a spin. I was the first to go. Iigen's reaction was great. It was like he was stunned by the experience. He sat upright with his mouth in an "O" and his neck stretched out to look around. he was completely silenced.

We are going to take it out again in a minute. I hope it is a little cooler than earlier (way too hot).

Play Dough

2010-08-20T10:07:00.002-07:00

We went to target to get some back-to-school supplies. Mainly snacks (the kind that we have TONS of, that are healthy, fairly pre-packaged, and able to be stored in the cooler in the car) which are extremely important since Keith and I have to rotate baby sitting Iigen on campus Mon, wed, and Fridays. Believe it or not the most stressful part about this is preparing food, sippy cups, water bottles, and a new bottle for Iigen's routine sleep-Bubba. But we were also completely unable to shop without buying Iigen a new play-thing. A play-dough kit complete with lots of colors and toys!! I spent the evening teaching Iigen how to use the toys while Keith cooked and cleaned. We also bought him a Cars Potty seat since we have decided that he is ready to "start" potty training. For some reason he desperately wanted to play with it in the bathtub. ???

This morning when Iigen woke up at 6 to talk to me, and I was practically in a coma, Iigen pointed to my T-shirt, and I said, "my T-Shirt?" and Iigen repeated, "my T-shirt" almost perfectly. I was so excited that I forced myself awake and made him pancakes pronto. Keith groggily said, "I heard that!"

And we have been taking LOVELY long athletic walks every morning (except today our jogger/trailer is arriving so we are waiting until it arrives). Each morning we return very hot and sweaty, and me with a beat red face which stays that way for an hour. Iigen loves these walks, and so do we. When we return home I supply Iigen with chocolate which gives me time to hit the shower, then Iigen takes a nap. We have missed several calls from Taiwan because of this, however.

AND I am starting to think about Christmas. What a sap. I can't help myself!! There is talk about spending it in Houston this year. I'm okay with this. We will, of course, celebrate our own when we return. But it may mean a fake tree this year.

Just so you know . ..

2010-08-20T10:07:00.001-07:00

Fat lady comment was meant to be a joke. But we are getting the trailer.

Bike Trailer

2010-08-17T19:09:00.000-07:00

THIS will solve my potential fat-lady crisis!

Cedar City with April Monroe

2010-08-16T15:49:00.000-07:00

Today we scooted on down to Cedar City to visit April and her 2 1/5 month old, Boston. He is, of course, wonderfully newborn in all of the best ways. It was great to visit with them, and of course see that new baby!

The weather in Cedar City is, of course, lovely, cool, and breezy. It was nice to get away this morning.

Then I had a doctors apt. where the doctor gave me yet another, "careful about your weight gain" speech. We talked about my weight gain last time, and the fact that I lost it all. He just reminded me that it is harder to lose it the second time around and that if I can gain 40 ibs instead of 50 (what I gained last time) then it will be good for me. Okee-doke!

Sunday afternoon at Tonaquint Park

2010-08-16T07:20:00.000-07:00

Sunday we had a picnic at Tonaquint Park. It was completely empty! We loved it. We brought sandwhiches, plumbs, green grapes, popcorn, ice-tea, orange juice . . . I can't remember what else. And we spread out a blanket under a shady tree by the play equipment and watched Iigen play for a while.

Because there weren't any other kids there, I wasn't worried about Iigen playing on the play equipment without me. I am always worried some kid running by will knock Iigen over, or he'll be tempted into following a 3 year old who is doing something Iigen can't manage.

Anyways, it was so peaceful and cool under the tree. Iigen got fussy at the end so we packed up and went home after only an hour, but it was a very good hour. :-)

Play Date

2010-08-16T07:14:00.000-07:00

So Gloria came over with Emily and Edgar yesterday. I wanted Iigen to "hang out" with some kids. But I guess the kids were all too grumpy to play nice (usually they do). Keith made an amazing chocolate-pink cake, and after eating cake the kids got along MUCH better. They were probably hungry or something.

A couple of things . . .

2010-08-14T09:02:00.000-07:00

Well, yesterday we cleaned out the garage! (No photos). We saw a pile of cockroach poop, so Keith moved a shelf and found roaches and eggs. I took Iigen for a walk around the block while Keith swept, organized, and sprayed. The garage looks wonderful now, and we are certain that it will delay future move-ins.

The weather is cooling in more ways than one. Though the temperature is ranging from 90-100 (give or take) the sun has moved lower in the sky with the changing season, which has created lots of lovely shade. So playing outside has become wonderful because there is always a cool place to sit! I am likely to change our summer window-clings to our fall ones (for those of you who do not know, I AM the window-cling queen. I love them. If anyone ever wants to get me a cheap gift, get me window-clings for a random holiday or season.)

We also played at the water park for a while and did a little shopping. I bought this maternity dress on the clearance rack. I also bought a slew of back-to-school arts and crafts. Pom-poms, sequins and Styrofoam cut-outs with some ribbon and a variety of large holiday die cuts (snowmen, leaves, turkeys, hearts & four leaf clovers. I figured we could do some holiday crafting, and as it turns out Iigen loved it. We did the cutting of ribbon and gluing together, and Iigen placed the decorations to his choosing.

OH we also bought a new stainless steel frying pan. We've previously always gone with Teflon, but we wanted to try something new. keith loved it so much that despite how tired he was from the day's activities he rolled up his sleeves, ban chopping veggies & pork and make Pork coconut-curry over rice with steamed corn on the side. I am SOOO lucky that Keith enjoys cooking as much as he does. Though I CAN cook, it just isn't my every-day cup of tea.

So, anyways, today our friends are coming over. Gloria with her 4 year old Edgar and 3 year old Emily (turned 3 just barely. I'll share photos later.

Oldest Friends

2010-08-13T08:25:00.000-07:00

Today Jessica stopped by as she journeyed back to the homeland (Vermont). Poor thing was taking a red eye.

Anyways, we had dinner, spent much time comparing Paige to S. Utah, etc. She even chased Iigen around a little bit for me. :-) I Love Jessica. I'm glad she was able to spare some time!

(OH and in regards to the pictures, pretty much none of them came out nice. So I just posted a bunch so that viewers can get the idea)

Various background images

2010-08-13T08:07:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the many changes in background images. Every time I changed it I discovered I didn't like. This could continue for some time. Maybe not. We'll see.

Leeds: Silver Reef Mining town

2010-08-12T13:57:00.000-07:00

So we went to Leeds today! We packed a lunch and everything. Like I mentioned before, it is really only a 20 minuted freeway drive. Iigen fussed ALMOST the whole way there. I had to point to EVERY tractor trailer that passed us (which he thinks are trains) and go "OH! WOW! A CHOO-CHOO" and then make a whistle blowing noise and talk about how BIG it is. Sometimes I would throw in something about a dinosaur riding in the back and emphasize this with growling and eyes wide as saucers. If this failed (which after 10 minutes it did)then I would randomly exclaim that I saw a bug and then start singing "Mo-Mo" while clapping my hands in rhythm.

Silver Reef is interesting. About the time that St. George was founded by the Mormons, Silver Reef was a Booming Silver Mine town. Apparently it grew to 4,000 people, and was filled with saloons and lawless barbarians. The museum volunteer showed us many artifacts and the silver mining process and told us a story of two men gambling who suspected one another of cheating and simultaneous shot one another dead. After looking at many artifacts in the museum we sat under a tree and ate our lunch, changed a poopy diaper, trecked around to see if we could see the remains of the old catholic church, and got in the car to drive around and see the ruins of the old mine. Very interesting!!! It was a fun trip.

Almost went to Leeds, and ended up at Pioneer Park instead.

2010-08-12T13:40:00.000-07:00

So the other day we got all ready to go to Leeds. It is a 20 minute drive on the freeway, and Keith wanted to get our back tires changed before we headed out. They just needed to be done, and since we needed to get them done anyways, we decided it would be a good idea to get them done before taking a trip. Besides, there are a few places in southern utah that we have spotted out and would like to visit over the next couple of months.
So anyways, we went to Walmart's tire & lube, but didn't want to wait 2 hours, so we headed across the street to Discount Tire and got them done there. We mosied about Kohls & Down East furniture store while we waited. We got some tacos . . . and by the time the car was done we didn't feel like going anymore. OOPS. So we headed back home and stopped by Pioneer Park which is right on the road to our house. We actually took mom here as well (unfortunately without any pictures to show for it). But it is an amazing sandstone rock formation which goes on and on. A person could go there and climb and hour every day for a month and still find new nooks and cranies to climb in. We didn't do anything extreme (people go propelling there) because we had Iigen in tow. So we just wandered around a slot canyon, which was shady and cool. Iigen played with the rocks, and then we made one voyage upwards to see a view. Then we plunked down under a rock ledge and threw rocks around until we had gained up enough strength (and courage) to carry Iigen back down. This isn't the first time we have gone, but I guess it is the first time that I have had my blog in mind!

Ribs, "cooking" and new outfit . . . just a little news

2010-08-11T11:47:00.000-07:00

Last night after an argument we decided to go on a family date, and we had a wonderful time. We drove across town to Ruby Tuesdays and used a coupon to buy one plate of ribs and one plate of chicken. Iigen drove his car around on the floor, charming all the elderly people around us, until our food came. And then he bucked right down and enjoyed some fries chicken and, to his BaBa's immense pride, some ribs. When he was done eating he got back down on the ground and played a mad game of hide and go-seek which involved some serious hand over the mouth giggling around corners. Keith and I didn't even have to participate.

This morning while Keith made French toast he gave Iigen a fring pan, a bottle of oregano, and some dried beans and noodles with a spatula so that Iigen could also "cook".

And for lunch Keith and Iigen ate the remainder of the ribs. It was so cute because Iigen just picked up a rib and began chewing the meat off of it like a pro!! Keith announced, "my son is a real man!! He likes ribs!!" (this part is not meant to make vegan readers feel less manly.)

And finally my new outfit. Last night after eating we stopped by the Mall where we ran into an old friend at barns and nobles, and I bought some maternity pants and a maternity T-shirt. Leah and/or Abby, you two girls will one day be the proud benefactors of a very complete maternity wardrobe. :-) I will be more than happy to turn it over after this pregnancy.

16 weeks tomorrow

2010-08-09T07:30:00.000-07:00

Thought I would include a visual update. I did one recently, but I was in the mood to do another.

Also, Iigen selected the green shorts and put them on all by himself (over the top of his PJs)

Not much going on over here. We have had SEVERAL thunder storms all in a row which has made for some cool, moist weather. We have spent quite a bit of time outdoors because of it. But alas, it will be 104-106 again shortly.

Iigen's language and communication skills are developing rapidly. He is now able to say Rock, Ouch, and Nice among other things. He is also able to communicate with hand and facial gestures whether he wants food, a drink, candy, diaper change, etc. It use to be that he would just walk over to the kitchen point randomly at the fridge and make some annoying fuss noise. Now he points to mouth, or makes slurping noises, etc. If he wants candy he sticks out his tongue and wiggles it back and forth (I don't give it to him all the time). For his diaper he just taps the front of his diaper.

School again in two weeks. Keith will be starting his upper division accounting classes, and i will still be sludging away with my lower division. I'll be taking nutrition and pre-calculus as well as micro economics and basic accounting. I am not sure what my final degree will be exactly, but I am interested in studying accounting. Keith thinks that if I struggle with the accounting class next semester then I should consider something like management, or finance. And I think that he is right. We'll see!!!
I am still slowly pulling my GPA up from my horrid experience at SUU, but with my almost stellar grades, it is rising quickly. :-)

Exoskeletons

2010-08-07T10:27:00.000-07:00

This morning I found an exo-skeleton. It was so lovely and cool and windy out that we went around to all the neighboring trees and discovered that there were quite a few of them! We found 11 total on 5 trees. It seems as if this must be the season for this beetle to lakdfjdksjkdjf (science word I don't know). After searching, photographing, Keith led Iigen around with sticks and they both knocked every one off of the trees while saying, "one, two, three!" And Iigen joined in with "two!" because this is a new word which he learned today. :-)

Breakfast

2010-08-05T10:51:00.001-07:00

We have noticed that when Iigen helps prepare the meal, he is more likely to eat it. This morning Iigen cut the biscuits into "baby" shapes. Keith then sprinkled each with cheddar, which bubbled while they were cooking. Keith solemnly told Iigen, "those are the Baby's guts."

defiance

2010-08-04T23:22:00.001-07:00

a good movie to watch

you'll realize how lucky you are just sitting where you are right now and doing what you're doing now

New Culinary Goals

2010-08-04T18:54:00.001-07:00

This vacation we are focusing on new hobbies that can be done together. During the school semesters things can get tense, and it is easy for us to lose sight of "fun". So reading has been one of them (I've blogged about this before, by the way, I am right now reading "Three Junes" which Keith picked out for me and is DELIGHTFUL, everyday I become a book zombie) and our other hobby is going to be cooking. Keith bought me a "children's" cook book. He did this because cooking isn't my forte, and I always struggle. But the book is quite large, AND was published in London, so there are many ingredients that Americans aren't quite as accustomed to using. It will be fun to work with. :-) Anyways, tonight we cooked with a slew of vegetables and made a veggie-pasta-mozzarella casserole. Keith ALSO made cookies. :-)

Local

2010-08-04T13:12:00.000-07:00

Hate to say it, but my skin often crawls at the phrase "shop local". I often feel like people think that using the phrase somehow qualifies them to be apart of a certain, and better, group of people. Phrases like, "Grown in my community/town/state" are exchanged with the dreaded word. People throw that word in there, and by doing so they brand the idea, and become a part of a collective group of people.

So today, I discovered a fruit market five minutes from my house! And guess what, most of the produce was grown...
within Utah! AND it was actually cheaper than shopping at the grocery store. We bought a slew of things like cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplant, onions,and melon. I just ate a cucumber and it was GREAT. We are using this purchase as a "sample" purchase. The market is outdoors, and so we are concerned about spoilage in the heat, or over ripeness.

I saw a squashed spider on one of the onions. GRODE.

Playing Outside Tuesday

2010-08-04T06:52:00.000-07:00

We spent some time outside yesterday morning. Though it was 100 degrees yesterday, the difference in 15 degrees seems to have made quite a difference in the mornings. We were able to play until 9:00 when it started to warm up. Afterwards we went to Iigen's first dentist appointment. We took him to a pediatric dentist and though Iigen didn't like having his teeth brushed by a complete stranger (though it only took a few seconds) the office was extremely child friendly, and Iigen was very excited to be there. OH, and Iigen put the white polo shirt on all by himself in preparation to go outside.

My Dream Come True!

2010-07-30T19:40:00.000-07:00

SOOOOO today my dreams came true. It was wonderful . . . it rained! And though I don't mean to make every boring aspect of my life into a drama . . . Heres what happened . . .

Keith and I were sitting in the kitchen looking at the semi-dark clouds when Keith announced, "I bet it is going to rain today." (of course, we have said that MANY a time, and usually we get sunshine again by 10:00) and I said, "I would give anything for it to rain," So Keith immediately stuck his hands down my shirt and commenced to groping me. "You said you would do anything!" He said, and PLOP a giant raindrop dropped on the window. And of course I began squealing with joy, we both threw our hands into the air and yelled, "whooo-HOooooo" (Which Iigen then imitated immediately after, and every 5 minutes for the next hour. And boy did it rain!! It even hailed the size of marbles before the rain really came. High winds and everything!! We opened up the door and ate Chinese noodle soup! It was marvelous.

Anyways, I snapped some photos after we finally closed the door and gave Iigen a bath. He usually runs around naked for a good 1/2 hour after he bathes. It is thrilling to him. And I took a photo of fetus-Win at 14 1/2 weeks old. Despite the fact that in the photo I look as if I have just received a lobotomy, I was actually on an all time high from the wonderful rain.

Verbal update Due to Found Camera being out of Bats . . .

2010-07-28T19:23:00.000-07:00

SOOOO Last night, in the night-light lit bathroom during my nightly-pee-break which is only necessary whilst pregnant, I spotted an ugly shadow on the wall just below the bath towel which gruesomely resembled a VERY large spider. Because I was half asleep I reasoned with myself that it may NOT be a spider, and even if it was one, what was I gonna do? Kill it in my zombie-like state? So I closed the bathroom door(not sure why), snuggled into bed, and spent the next five minutes pretending it was something less horrifying like a cockroach or a cricket. I even convinced myself that I had actually heard a cricket chirping at the time of the vision.

The next morning I told Keith about the shadow, we both took half a minute to glance around the corners of the bathroom, and decided that whatever it was, it was LONG GONE! So we brushed our teeth, washed our faces and hands, and I merrily dried my face on the towel. And there stood that horrible devil, ON MY TOWEL. Keith drowned it in the toilet.

Brush Painting is coming along. I didn't practice today. The other day I was happily studying lesson 2 when Keith examined my lesson 1 work (the sparrow) and told me my brush strokes weren't going in the right direction, and showed me how to hold and press and drag the brush around in the proper way. He told me each stroke used to create the sparrow is taken from the calligraphy, and that there is a specific way to start and end each stroke. The lesson book made it seem so easy!

Verbal Update Due to Lost Camera . . . Maybe its in the Car . . .

2010-07-27T08:19:00.000-07:00

So . . . i took my last exam on Friday. Heavenly Heavenly Friday. we now have approx. a month until fall semester starts up. And I can do thins for fun!! it is such an unusual experience, so exhilarating and almost forbidden feeling!! I am reading, and painting and watching movies and cleaning and taking naps without abandon . . . and still avoiding the insufferable, burning, hell-like pit which somebody mistakenly called the great outdoors. I am genuinely depressed about it. I can not tell you how ardently I crave a good rainstorm which drops the temperature to 60! I would throw on the chunkiest sweater I posses, throw open the windows and sit there reading even if it rains in on me (its okay, in my fantasy it is a library book which I am reading so water damage is of no concern to me). But no hope of that!!

Anyways, Keith, who has recently become interested in literature, picked out I think . . . 5 books for me at the library. I didn't ask him to. But as it turns out, the first one I am working on (Julie and Julia, have you seen the movie?) is GREAT!! I read all the time.

I have also taken up the ancient Chinese art of Brush Painting! This is the most wonderful hobby, done on rice paper with bamboo and animal hair brushes (which we just happened to have on hand?) and though it appears to be very easy, it is very precise and each stroke must be done in an instant, without editing. Each watercolor print is accompanied by calligraphy signature or poem, and a stamp. I don't have a stamp yet, so I just use Keith's for now. I'm not very good at it yet, but am passionate about improving. Maybe I'll take some classes while in Taiwan? I don't know. I hear art schools in Taiwan are very difficult to get into and probably very expensive. When I find my camera I will take photos of my practice runs. I don't have any pieces of art yet because I am not advanced enough.

This morning I made crepes, but I guess my timing was bad because everyone had already eaten and was full. I even served them with cut up strawberries and whipped topping! They are now in the fridge.

We will likely head up to Cedar City or Pine Valley soon. Cooler there.

Early in the Morning

2010-07-14T11:32:00.000-07:00

This morning while Keith was still sleeping, Iigen and I gave each other pedicures. Iigen was so sweet trying to clip is own, and my toe nails (he would just press the tip of the nail clippers against the soft part of his/ my toes) that I had to take pictures of him. I only managed to get one picture of him trying to do my toes, however, since he really just wanted to play with the camera after I got it out. He also made several efforts to trim my hair with the nail clippers. I don't know what gave him the idea, but every few minutes he would push himself behind me and I would feel the clippers pressing gently against my back!!(that is what the photo of the top of my head is all about)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

2010-07-12T15:09:00.000-07:00

(this picture is about a week and a half old)

Well Happy Birthday to me!! I completely forgot until Abby Called to wish me a Happy Birthday. WOOPS!!! I thought it was next week. I felt bad (mom) because this year I was bound and determined to send you a card!! SHOOT. Usually, for mothers and father day as well, I forget about mom, and then realize my mistake and make SURE I remember for dad (whose holiday follows shortly). Anyways, had a lovely conversation with Andy, Abby,My mother and father-in-law (all by myself),Mom, my friend Gloria, and Hannah. You may think that my house is in shambles. BUT somehow I have managed to keep a happy 1 year old, a clean house, homework reasonable worked upon, AND I cooked lunch.Though I haven't knitted anything.;-) I shopped online while iigen was napping. That is my birthday present to myself. I bought 3 maternity tops at gap maternity. Keith and I agreed that this is my 2nd baby, I work hard, and as a reward for having to SURPRISINGLY go through this all again, I get to be stylish this time around. Lucky Me. ;-) Anyways,I should happily inform all of my readers that life isn't quite as challenging at the moment. Iigen seems to be happy, I am finally getting the swing of my school work and have managed to get *decent grades throughout the semester (guess I can't hope for more than a B this semester) Keith and I are finding more time to spend together, AND my medicine has almost* completely eliminated the nausea. For the first time in weeks feeling like a normal person, and happy.

Fourth of July Celebration

2010-07-07T12:40:00.001-07:00

So for the fourth of July, my friend Gloria went over with Iigen and her two children (Emily 2 1/2 and Edgar 4 1/2) to Worthin Park where they have fourth of july festivities. I bought tickets for fair rides for the first time ever!!! It marks Iigen's growth that he is now old enough to jump on a giant inflatable jump-thing by himself. However, most of the rides (as you can see with the tractor-train) I was allowed to assist him without having to pay a ticket. This was quite fun for the GIANT inflatable slide. Gloria had bought a bunch of fun snacks and treats for lunch, so we walked back to the car and sat in the grass eating, then walked BACK to use the rest of gloria's tickets, and by the time we got home iigen was fast asleep.Iigen loves playing with emily and edgar. They get along REALLY well.
We also went to the fire works that evening. As well as every other person in the city, we had to park several blocks away. I bought glow in the dark glasses for the event!!!

Wading Pool

2010-07-07T12:32:00.000-07:00

Despite how direct the sun is here, we can't get by with NEVER going outside. So sometimes we do, and sometimes we don't. I usually try at least once a day to get out. But, this day I got out the wading pool for Gen (which he loves) and it was so darned hot that I decided to get in to! He was thrilled when he would pour water over my back and I would shriek.

Roller Blading

2010-05-24T09:46:00.000-07:00

Doing an awful lot of roller blading lately.

Back From Vermont!

2010-05-23T10:35:00.000-07:00

Friday the 7th we made the long and lonely voyage, without Keith for the first time ever, to Vermont to visit with my family. It was a challenge to get there (Throwing up in the shuttle and leaving me baby-wipe-less, and a delight to be there! Last summer Vermont seemed odd compared to Southern Utah, which I am not accustomed to. This time it was not so unusual to me. I was disappointed to discover that Vermont had saved the majority of its cold and rainy weather for Iigen and Me. But with a few borrowed things from Iigen's cousins, Ben and Jacob, and from my sister, Leah, we were able to endure it.

I was able to visit each of my Vermonter siblings homes this time, which was great. Everyone seems to have an amazing back yard with tons of things to do. Something us Southern Utahns can certainly appreciate. Though cups of coffee were few and far between i was able to enjoy myself immensely. Iigen just loved all of the new toys and people to play with. Ironically the cousins with whom he enjoyed playing the most were also the ones who made playing most difficult. ( cough* Jacob and Esther) Sharing can be challenging.

And though I was frequently called Abby* by many of my nieces and nephews, I felt well loved. I was even told as much by both Jacob and Ben! "Abby . . . Abby . . . Abby, I mean Julie . . . Julie, I love you."

Iigen was able to thoroughly harass Gray Kitty, Mellie's cat, and Aaron and Lauren's cat, play with Beau the dog (that wasn't so much harassment), and examine MANY baby chicks with many finger pointings. There were plenty of trucks and wheely things to push around, and tricycles and other riding toys.

And Iigen learned a few new good habits. No more bottles of milk, EVER. Drinking bottles of milk before bed and in the middle of the night was our HORRID habit which we knew was horrid and didn't know how to stop. It just kept getting worse and worse. But he hasn't needed it since arriving in Vermont. AND he now sleeps through the night without wandering into the kitchen for a snack. YAY!!

I only uploaded a few pictures. I have too many to properly document our visit.

Thank you to everyone who helped Iigen and I visit everyone in Vermont! Thank you Mom, Andy, Aaron, Hannah, and Dad!

Splash Pad

2010-04-10T21:18:00.000-07:00

Today we went to the splash pad. Keith called our friends Joe and Irene and invited them to meet us there, and they did.

Iigen was so excited when I first put him down into the water that he started giggling with a huge smile on his face, and his little legs started running even before I put him down. He splashed over to a little girl who was maybe 3 or 4 and started to talk to her with his face up really close to hers. He sounded really serious like he was explaining something to her. I think he may have even tried to hold her hand!

Then he ran around the "river" for the next two hours. We did take a break when Irene tried to fly a kite (which didn't work) but then we went back to play. I was a little horrified to discover how quick little children are to steal each other's toys. Iigen put down one of his cars and INSTANTLY some kid picked it up and ran away! Then a little girl ended up with it, and I finally went over and asked her if I could have it.

Iigen, who is ordinarily extremely cheerful, and almost completely self occupied has been really fussy lately. I was worried he is teething, but mom thinks it is a stage which will pass. Whatever it is, he kept himself SUPER busy at the splash pad, took an extra nap when we got home, and was delightful for the rest of the day. :-) Ahh, I guess he must be bored . . .

I made Iigen do the dishes.

2010-04-10T16:26:00.001-07:00

Actually he loved it.

Art Festial

2010-04-04T16:32:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we visited the local art festival that is held yearly here. It wasn't very good. Mostly a bunch of very similar photography. But we went just for something to do. Finally we sat down and watched Gen play. We took pictures of eachother wearing Keith's hat.

Easter Pictures

2010-04-04T14:42:00.001-07:00

So last night before going to bed I decided to place Iigen's Easter treats in front of our bedroom door. The intention was that Iigen would walk up in the morning, see them, and we would bring them downstairs to eat. Well, he woke up in the middle of the night and INSTANTLY saw them, despite how dark the room is. He ran up to them, crouched in front of them, and started playing with the duckies. Keith, who had gone downstairs to grab Iigen a bottle, says that Iigen went running up to him with a ducky in each hand and a huge smile on his face. I dozed a minute, and when I woke up Iigen had found the peeps and chocolate bunny and was begging me to open them. I felt so bad so I did . . . and Iigen ate the WHOLE chocolate bunny in the middle of the night (except the pieces that he mashed into the carpet), and a few marshmallow peeps. Imagine Keith's alarm when he woke up and discovered a Brown and bright pink carpet!! (I scrubbed it up this morning with a stiff brush).

We had waffles with strawberries for breakfast. Iigen played with his duckies by squeeking them, and throwing them down the stairs.

This afternoon we died the Easter eggs. I started out by carefully doing them myself, and saying, "no no no, Mama do it!" every time he would reach out to grab the egg from the cup of die. But finally Keith advised that I just let Iigen have a ball, so i did. I surrendured the project to him. He had so much fun dropping the egg into the cup, watching it splash, then fishing it out again. Sometimes he would stick two eggs into one cup and try and mash it down with his thumb . . .

Then Keith used the rest of the die to die the sand in the sandbox. Keith and Iigen played sandbox for a while while I snapped photos. Notice that Iigen has magic marker face. Keith sometimes draws on Iigen's face to shock me. So now my son looks like one of the neighbor boys, whose parents don't know the meaning of a soapy washcloth.

Here is the finished project!! They all turned out pink, I guess. Whatever!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

Movie Review: Everybody's fine

2010-04-03T21:41:00.000-07:00

I don't usually do movie reviews on my blog, however, Keith and I watched this the other night and I balled my eyes out big time.

Robert DeNiro plays a father of four children, each of whom are grown and dispersed around the country, who lost his wife 8 months ago. He has this family get together planned but one by one each of them call to cancel last minue with some excuse or another. So despite his serious illness, he decides to travel cross country to visit each of his children via bus/train.

The trailer makes it look like a comedy. But it isn't. The beginning broke my heart beacuse I watched his man of progressing years from the country, travel by bus across the country to each of these big cities. Ring a bell? As he visits each of his chilren, he discovers that the things which he thought were true regarding each were not true. At one point he even says to his daughter, "when your mom was alive you kids would call and say, 'Hi dad, is mom there?' But don't forget, I'm still there!" Apparently the kids and mother had decided long ago to spare their father the dirty details of each of their lives, and even ended up hiding BIG secrets that he should have, and would have wanted to know about. When the mother died, they just continued that pattern. Apparently one of his children, the one who never answered the door when the father knocked during his surprise visit, had gotten into some awful trouble recently and the children never told the father. Throughout the movie the children are talking about this amongst themselves but never clue their dad in. At the very end of the movie it turns out the brother overdosed while in Mexico and died. Towards the end the father is talking to his children, wondering where David was, and they had to tell him that he was dead.

I cried my eyes away. The movie does end on a positive note. He has everybody over for christmas on new footing. It is a wonderful ending. Cry Cry Cry Cry, faucet lady, Cry Cry Cry.

We had to watch A Knights Tale immediately after.

Amazing what a work out will do for your energy level!

2010-03-30T10:56:00.001-07:00

Lately I've been really unmotivated to do stuff. Anything, really. Chores, projects, playing at the park, you name it and I don't want to do it. I also noticed that since I've weened Gen i've been getting a little chubby around the hips. And I realized that it is probably my diet and lack of excersize! Well, today I did a little strengthening and went for a brisk walk with gen in the stroller, and now I feel like I could paint the house! YAY! I'm so happy.

However, I did run into a few shady charecters while I was on my walk, which made me a little unnerved. There is a part of the trail that is very lonely and rather secretive. I don't usually go there by myself, but today I was feeling empowered so I did. I don't think I will go there by myself again . . . it was pretty freaky. Which, of course, reminded me that I live in a shady neighborhood. I am pretty trusting of the neighborhood because my immediate neighbors are pretty decent, and now that the drug dealers are gone, it has been very comfortable and cozy. But obviously the seemingly mentally ill transvestite who desperately needs a shower and walks like he needs to take a giant poo that I saw today (and may have seen before) lives somewhere in my neighborhood . . . this gave me a little heads up.

Easter Bunny visited early . . .

2010-03-30T10:45:00.000-07:00

Not really. But I made Iigen some bunny ears out of paper and an old headband for the sake of photos which I was sending my parents and parents-in-laws, and Keith's gu-gu. (mom, I mailed them today incase you are wondering) he didn't really want them on his head. Sorry, the photos are in a weird order.

In this photo Iigen was crouched in this tiny corner in a VERY secretive sort of way.
I peeked at what he was doing and discovered that he was coloring on the tips of a plug . . . or trying to. It is so funny what sorts of things little boys think must be kept secret.

Next sunday i'm going to do some sort of east hunt. I bought 4 easter rubber ducks at walmart for .50 each, and I'll probably hide those. We also have a package of peeps. I don't know what else we'll do. I think I'll make cinnamon rolls with pink frosting or something.

Some Pictures of our sunshine, etc.

2010-03-24T21:07:00.000-07:00

The first picture is of Keith giving Iigen a horsey ride. Iigen loves anything animal. Anything that can possibly make an animal sound. He has many animals nailed on the sound and even a few postures, or behaviors (froggies jump, doggies pant) but some aren't quite right. Horses and dear growl . .. apparently. The deer that rescues peterkin, and the giant mushroom from the flood growls every time despite my efforts to neigh like a horse. He will get it eventually. Anyways, the second photo is Iigen doing it himself. I should add that one of our neighbors has one of those romantic statues of the little girl with an umbrella. It is completely white. Iigen ran over to it and started growling, and at first I thought he was wrong (little girls dont growl!!) but then I realized that the little girl was holding a tiny teacup puppy! Iigen had spotted it nearly 40 feet away!

Then there are two fingerpainting photos. That is a portion of our backyard. Then there is a photo of iigen crouched behind someone elses house looking for bees. And finally, Mr. Buttcheeks. Too cute to NOT add. Iigen gets super excited when he is naked after his evening bath, and runs like a wild man all over the house and jumps on the couch or the bed, and giggling like a crazy person the whole time.

Diary Entery . . . Sort of . . .

2010-03-21T21:15:00.001-07:00

I just felt like putting some of my thoughts down.
Today Iigen would not eat. This is our current mountain to cross, my current anxiety . . . maybe he thinks it is boring. Maybe he doesn't like the textures. Some days (like today) will be SO frustrating because he even won't be interested in his favorite foods. He skipped lunch today, but FINALLY had pancakes and pears for dinner. Keith managed to throw some peas into the mix during bath time, and of course . . . . whole milk. Iigen's big time comfort food. Bottles of whole milk.
He does, however, sleep like an angel. He has moved to only one nap a day. This seems to be the best. He isn't sleepy enough, anymore, for a morning snooze. After a handful of days where I would give up, try again an hour later, and give up again every day, all day, I started moving his nap to 12:00 and we ALL LOVE IT! I pop his bottle into his mouth, and lay down beside him and he is asleep in about five minutes without so much as a fuss. Same goes for night time. (God, if there is a god, PLEASE DON'T CHANGE THE EASE OF NAPS AND BED TIME!!!!PLEASE DON"T LET THIS BE A PHASE. And, if you get a chance, make Gen more interested in food)
I am good. During the day we mostly just run around the neighborhood, or one of the parks, and at night we study. We will have about 3 weeks in May between semesters, and we are still trying to decide what we will do. Shampoo the carpet. We've already decided on that one.
Summer semester will be a DOOZY because we'll be taking the same amount of credits (almost) but in a much shorter span of time. Then we will have another couple of weeks between summer and fall semesters. I'm not sick of school, nor really eager for it to be over with. I LOVE it.
Keiths dad asked me the other day what my plans were. Hmmm . . . honestly haven't really thought too much about it. I guess graduate with a Bachelors, and do what I have to do to have a comfortable career is all I know so far. Keith will be going for his Masters, but I didn't really think about it. I guess we will just have to see.
Today the only thing of interest that we did was plant dandilion seeds. We gathered up all of the seeded dandelions we could find and planted them in flower pots. hmm . . . Wonder what it will look like? As we were planting them a little boy jumped over the brick fence behind our house and declared, "I just jumped over that fence and now I am in your backyard!" I really wanted to say, "Why don't you do it again so that you are in YOUR yard!" But instead I said, "Yes, you are!"
Goodnight!

Raisn? Petrified Grape?

2010-03-17T21:29:00.001-07:00

Keith made raisin bread in the bread machine this evening. When I went to clean out the machine, I found THIS on the bottom of it. Apparently while the machine was in "rising" mode, it heated and plumped the little, wet raisin up. Kind of cool in itself. But then while the machine was in "cook" mode, it petrified it!!! I thought it was the coolest thing. After and running and showing keith I set it on the shelf. I think I'll give it to Iigen for breakfast . . .

Magic Marker . . .

2010-03-17T21:26:00.001-07:00

Today as I was making dinner, Keith and Iigen were playing in the study. Then I heard, "Go show Mommy!" And a few seconds later Iigen came running into the kitchen . . . I was stunned. Though not surprised. This has happened before. Keith once drew a giant blue eyeball onto his forehead. Fortunately it pretty much just comes off in the bathtub.

Not Taiwan then

2010-03-13T08:27:00.001-08:00

We've Decided to go next summer instead. :-(

Long Flight

2010-03-11T20:38:00.000-08:00

So it seems we will soon make another trip to Taiwan. I am genuinely horrified at the prospect of a 14 hour flight with Iigen, but very excited to go.

Waiting for Keith . . .

2010-03-08T15:17:00.001-08:00

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays Iigen and I wait on campus for Keith while he is in class. Then I go to class when he gets out. So for three hours we wander around campus, playing in the grass, visiting the library or the art show, or the gymnasium, or the TV lounge, whatever. These are just some photos from last friday.

Iigen and I made this flowered pine cone. I did most of the work, but Iigen helped. We left it on a little rock wall to meet Keith after class (sometimes Iigen goes running into Keith's class while it is still in session, with a huge smile on his face because he is so excited to see Keith.) and then we showed it to Keith on our way to the car.
Iigen is the campus baby. Everyone knows him. Sometimes the Librarians give him special treats.

Iigen's and my Pizza Platter

2010-03-03T19:46:00.001-08:00

So last night Keith reminded me that I should try and take Iigen to story hour at the library today. We are really trying to be proactive about his social life. Keith and I lean towards . . . should I say this out loud? . .. complete and utter anti-social-ness. It doesn't get much worse than us . . . oh wait, mom and dad??? That was a joke. (Love you mom ;-D) Anyways, we are trying to combat this. So this would involve a three hour stay do to our car situation, and the length of keith's classes today. So keith suggested that Iigen and I fill the rest of our time by painting pottery at Brushfire on Mainstreet. I was completely surprised, to be honest, because though I have often stopped in front of their window many a time, and though their prices are completely affordable, we . . . well, we with the strong influence of Keith, tend to consider those types of things impractical. When I say I have often stopped in front of their window, I really do mean it. I have always wanted to paint a totally cheesy family display of some sort, with stick figures and everything.

So we went!! The lady was amazing, and explained to me that the paint was completely non-toxic and practically edible ( this is good . . .) washes from clothing (also good . . .) and she didn't mind if Iigen opened all of the lids to all of the bottles of paint within his reach (especially good . . .) There were TONS of stencils for him to sort through, it was great.

I picked a pizza pan. We like pizza, and I figured that would fill Keith's need for practicality. (As it turns out I totally hit the mark: He admitted it was a really good idea). I picked a color scheme of light yellow, medium yellow, and light purple for his scribbly background, plum and rust for hishdand prints, and dark brown for the writing, the whole thing accented in plum and rust. I can pick it up in a week, can't wait to see how the colors look after firing.

Iigen missed his nap this morning and nearly had a come-apart towards the end: which is why he looks royally pissed off in the snapshot the store keeper took of us. But he did a really good job. I was just glad that he didn't break the creramics . . . he is always a good boy anyways.

Oh, I should say that he got really into the hand printing. The shop lady very nicely painted his hands and pressed them onto the plate, and just as she was declaring how unusually tolerant he was for a child of his age (of the hand printing) he gave his hands a good rub together and pressed them simultaneously onto the plate. It was pretty cute.

I think I want to go by myself in celebration of mother's day and paint the teapot as nicely as I can . . . for me . . . Hannah laughed when I said this. ???? I wonder why?

Playing in the sun and the dirt

2010-03-01T06:51:00.000-08:00

Yesterday the sun came out again, and Iigen and I put on short sleeves, went out with our shovels and dug in the dirt. Actually, I put on shirt sleeves and brought out the shovels and Iigen dug in the dirt while I Sunned. It was lovely. After a while we packed up the stroller and went to the park, but after Iigen hurt himselves a few times in a row I decided we needed to go home and take a nap. :-(

Beautiful Beautiful day though.

Fish

2010-02-28T08:28:00.001-08:00

Yesterday we took a 20 minute drive to the other side of the city to Petco. The purpose was for Iigen to see lots of small animals and fish, and maybe a few dogs and cats because he LUUUUVs reading about, and seeing small animals. To him, most animals (bears, dogs, bunnies, chipmunks, and mice) all growl. When he sees one he identifies them as saying, "grrowr . . ." Except burds chirp. He can't "chirp" but he can purse his lips which he does when he sees a photo or drawing of a bird. And he makes a funny clicking noise for fish. I don't know why.

Anyways, at petco I decided that i wanted to get this funny black goldfish with giant eyes. It was also the most excited looking fish I could find. So I went to find keith who was ALSO deciding that he wanted to get a fish. We were thinking of getting a Betta fish, but quite frankly they are as boring as all heck, no offense Johnson.

By the way, Brown Bear Brown Bear is Iigen's FAVORITE book. If you ask him to find it he will go find it on his bookshelf and bring it to you. And he does all the growling, chirping, and clicking to go with it.

Visit with mom.

2010-02-28T07:54:00.001-08:00

HERE is that lovely woman . . .

I especially wanted to include this picture which exemplefies the poise,and peticular level of composure which my mother has obtained over the long years of raising 10 children.

This is Iigen in some new play clothes.

Some more drawing pictures, with me cheerfully joining the photo . . . He tolerates so much from us . . .

Recently he really likes having hats on his head and glasses on his face. If you put some on him, he will set his face as if to say, "okay, now lets see . . ." and immediately head off to play with toys while wearing the glasses or hat.

Mom and I laughed a lot while she was here. One of our ongoing jokes was that she was going to keel over at any moment. This started because one morning she woke up at 5:30 and the next morning almost 9:00!!! I was so alarmed by this difference that I kept thinking to myself, "what if she is dead???" and I imagined the horrors of having to call Daddy, etc. When she woke up Keith announced, "Julie says she thought you died." And so the joke lived on through the rest of the visit. We would say things like, "Dad . . . mom isn't doing so good. I think she is going to die. If you want I can check in on her in an hour . . . " which evolved to, "Dad, I'm just gonna poke my head in and see if she is dead yet . . . Nope, I'll call you in an hour." And then after a while we would just throw her certain death into our ordinary conversation. "Since these are your last hours . . ." sort of a thing.

But we did have a wonderful time. Mom is the perfect gust. I know this because I have had several very much NOT perfect guests over the past 3 years . . . she was hands down the best one.

We didn't take any photos of the red rocks which we visited. BLAST!!!!

Oh, this is me reading to a fussy Iigen. He pays attention better if I hold him, because he has no choice but to listen.

Iigen warmed up to mom pretty fast. At one point during mom's first day, I had to use the restroom, and Iigen had a come-apart outside the bathroom door because he was "alone" in the room with mom. But that was the only instance.

Abby: In this picture I look like I am saying, "I smell barley Grow!" sorry, inside joke with Abby. I promise, she'll get it.

I LOVE YOU MOM!!!! THANKS FOR COMING!!!! YOU ARE WELCOME ANYTIME!!!!

So Sorry . . . Here is the Latest . . .

2010-02-28T07:32:00.000-08:00

First of all, I apologize for never ever updating my blog. I go through phases. I am, however, horribly jealous of melanie's regularity, and am aware of the fact that everyone wants to see photos of Iigen and us. I want everyone to see photos too.So I'm going to try harder. I am ALSO going to try harder to keep track of everyone else's blogs, BUT I probably will not comment regularly.
Anyways,Prior to mom's visit we had BEAUTIFUL weather. Though the air was probably only in the upper 60's the sun is so hot and direct here it felt like a good upper 70's to mid-80's when standing out in the sunshine. I was SOOO excited to tell mom about it, and advised her to bring only short sleeves and flip flops!! Good thing she didn't listen, because the MOMENT she stepped foot in St. George the weather got nasty and cold. I think she brought it with her.That horrible woman . . .
Anyways, still prior to mom's visit, I thought I would update a couple of photos of stuff we've been doing.

I wanted to include a photo from our hike which happened five million years ago . . . but whatev . . .It was a beautiful hike through volcanic rock, then through the sandstone cliffs. Then in a little valley between the cliffs we passed through a grove of willow trees which were at our eye level. And finally met up with a small stream and a 200 foot natural arch. The wall of the cliff in the photo went maybe twice as high as the photo captured. It was a beaute!

Then I snapped MANY photos of Iigen playing outside in the beautiful sunshine with Keith washing the car. Keith really does enjoy washing the car, and it is so fun to watch him standing with his foot wedged in the wheel well in order to scrub the top side of the car. Iigen had a blast out there with some old pots and pans filled with water.Notice the gaggle of girls in the one photo. At one point Iigen wandered across the street (with me at his heels) to go visit them, and they had a great time snapping photos of us and telling us about their cat. I heard one of the girls saying, "I got a picture of the mom . .." Uh . . . first time I was referenced as "the mom" before. Kind of weird.She said it like it was a trophy of some kind.

There are also some photos of Iigen drawing with Keith, eating at the table like a big boy with a fork and NO booster seat, and him trying on my helmet. :-)

The Missing Walky Talky

2010-01-14T15:02:00.000-08:00

We use Walky Talkys to communicate during shopping etc. We have a rather expensive set which we use, and are able to recharge. Well, keith mistakenly gave it to iigen to play with and it disapeared. COMPLETELY. Keith admitted that he couldn't remember if he had picked it up and stuck it somewhere (which is so completely unlike him that I doubted it seriously) so we literally looked high an low, EVERY nook and cranny upstairs, downstairs garage, car, and even the customer service desk at Target (lost and found). NOTHING. I had to think, where might a 1 year old stick a toy? and where might a busy adult stick something with the intention of getting it later? we looked behind the washer and dryer, under the couch . .. we had given up. Yesterday I was pouring cereal and PLOP!! There is the walky Talky . . . . we were SO excited.

Eating Peanut Butter

2010-01-07T10:17:00.001-08:00

He just looked so cute eating a spoon ful of peanut butter a few days back. Hsin I took a few photos while we all giggled. Notice the peanut butter all over his cheeks and nose. probably in his hair too.

Iigen's Christmas Stroller, Dollie, and Overalls

2010-01-07T10:08:00.001-08:00

Thsi first picture is really to show off the cute doll I made for Iigen for Christmas. It was SOOOOOO fun to make. He even has rosy cheeks! The whole thing is made from recycled fabric. His hair is an old pair of wool socks which I felted, his skin is the linen from an old linen jacket, his legs are from a onsie mom got Iigen which he has out grown, His pocket from a pair of Keith's cut-offs. The buttons, ribben, and shirt aren't recycled. So, I guess I lied. The scarf was garrett's christmas present . . . :-( I'll wait to finish it until I will see him again. The bag was something I was working on for keith's mother.

THen I've got all of these great pictures of Iigen pushing his new doll (and lamb) around in his new stroller, wearing the overalls which mom got him for Christmas and I just LOVE.

I wanted you to all see the days favorite expression. Sticking out his tongue. He kept turning around and sticking out his tongue at us.

New Years Eve

2010-01-06T22:03:00.000-08:00

We Celebrated New Years Eve with Keith's Family as well. By rule, we don't drink. But since the rule had already been broken with the arrival of the bottle of Brandy, we bought some liqueur to make margaritas and martinis. So then we all got a little silly and played tumbling tower (other wise known as the popular party pleaser Jenga) to the death. Keith kept cheating, and trying to pass the dice by tossing it through the open holes in our tower. Then we played pick-up-sticks with toothpicks, where in a fit of giggles, I blew the whole game into keith's lap half way through. Then around 10:30 we made Kabobs outside. Where Hsin I discovered she could see her own breath, and we took a photo to it with her friends. We took great pains to time our exhale just right so that we could photograph it. 12:00 passed, and we ran out just intime to see the last of the fireworks. Our neighbors tiny dog then went running and barking at me, and I screamed and ran back inside just in time to see both of keith's parents excitedly carrying a sleepy looking iigen down stairs, eager explaining that he had woken up. Now I have two giant bottles of Vodka and Rum in the refrigerator which I don't want to drink, don't want to give away, and don't want to pour down the drain . . . will it keep for St Patties?

Lindsey and Sweet Baby Rocklond

2010-01-04T21:19:00.000-08:00

Several of John's siblings joined us at a pizza Parlour.

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The purpose of this photo isn't my boobs. Thats just a bonus. ;-)

Back at John's Paren'ts house.

The Park

2010-01-04T21:15:00.000-08:00

we all went to the Park, one evening. I rollerbladed a tiny bit, While Iigen mosied around. Then we played a game of soccer. It was a chilly night, and everyone was almost ready to go home. But the soccer warmed us up a bit. Iigen decided eh was tired. He sort of chased the ball for a while, but eventually I ended up playing soccer with him bouncing around on my hip. Apparently that was preferable to walking . . .? whatev. I practically demanded that keith's uncle play as well. We comprimised and he was a goalie.

Iigen's Birthday Cake

2010-01-04T21:00:00.001-08:00

Again, the photos are in backwards. View them bottom to top.

Christmas Dinner

2010-01-04T20:48:00.000-08:00

Christmas Morning Photos

2010-01-04T20:37:00.000-08:00

These Photos actually run end to start. So you may be interested in viewing them from the bottom on up.

Christmas Eve Photos

2010-01-04T20:16:00.000-08:00

Wanted to include a few extra photos from Christmas Eve.

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sizing tester

2010-01-04T20:14:00.001-08:00

resizing tester

Christmas Celebration with our chinese family

2009-12-28T20:29:00.000-08:00

Keith's Mother, Father, Sister and Uncle all arrived around mid-day Christmas eve. Keith's mother and father rushed out of the car as fast as they could to give hugs and see their toddler-grandchild. Iigen, to their immediate horror, had already pulled off his socks and shoes and was waiting for them in the car bare footed. Tigh Lun! Too Cold.
Every body went to Walmart and Target for some last minute shopping. Except, however, for myself, and Iigen (who needed a nap) and my mother-in-law, who supposedly also needed a nap, but spent the time chatting with me. I enjoy chatting with keith's mother. It is so rewarding to have had a lengthy, meaningful, and in depth conversation with a woman who doesn't speak the same language as yourself. We always manage to have great conversations. My Chinese is flourishing, she knows a fair amount of English words here and there, and we use a lot of physical gesturing. We referenced the dictionary only three times.
(Iigen and his Yeh Yeh)

(Here Iigen is carrying a traditional chinese lantern)

For dinner we all had a soup which is traditinoally served at special social gatherings. We have had this soup before, in Taipei on our first arrival to Taiwan two years ago. Basically you have a pot of boiling water in the middle of the table, and an array of fresh vegtables, raw meats, and sauces which you create your own soup with while sitting around the table. Iigen needed mommy attention, however, so I was unable to truly enjoy the tradition. And at some point during the meal I started the smell a horrid smell. After establishing that it was NOT my own body odor, realized (with confirmation from keith and his mother) that it was the cord of the electric wok we were using for the soup. we then heard a loud POP, coming from it, and decided to just cook the soup at the stove. Dinner was followed up with a "flower wine" which smelled lovely like flowers, and tasted like crap.
I did watch Its a Wonderful Life. In three segments. What a great movie. Never gets old. Never boring, never meaningless. Just a wonderful movie . . . I have to admit. I think about Dad a lot on the holidays. I think it is because it is from him that I get my intense sense of tradition from. You know, I have always been very satisfied with traditions. Again, probably because his insistence on it. It is interesting that I married into a family with a long heritage of tradition. An unexpected match, we all know. This visit, so far, has reminded me of how oddly well I fit into the Huang family.
After `dinner clean up we all pretty much just tuckered out. Keith's family had a long journey and were still adjusting to the time zone. I didn't make gingerbread men as I promised myself that I would, because keith and his father forgot the molasses. Other wise I would have been gingerbread-making-zilla.
Christmas morning keith was the food pioneer. We had eggs, ham, on english muffins. Coffee, as always, and Iigen played with his gift from his grandparents. One of those small plastic toddler-sized cars with various sound making devises all over it. you can push it, ride it, store stuff, or just stand there and press buttons
.
(helping Iigen walk down the stairs on Christmas morning)

After breakfast we huddled around the Christmas tree were Keith and I had taken careful care to have atleast one beautifully wrapped gift for everyone. Iigen had a stocking with the head of the ragdoll I made him poking out. It also had hand made bean bags (made from those expensive "sock lady" socks us girls all got into a few years back) and some melted down crayons into large disks. We took photos while opening gifts, and I did my best to video tape as much as I could.
For Hsin I: A computer program & book making kit which helps you print a great brag book & a chapstick holder holding burts bees chapstick, & a makeup case holding lint lindor chocolates
For Jo Jo: A set of two white and gold bowls, perfect for rice
For Ma Ma: A handmade bag, an electric heating pad
For Ba Ba: Two lovely photo albums halfway filled with family photos & plenty of room for more
For Iigen: A dump truck, a child sized broom that sings, a stroller
For Keith: A starbucks travel coffee mug, some Starbucks Christmas coffee
I think it is chinese tradition to focus on women in gift giving. Men seem to receive gifts, but it is less important. Keith was very concerned about getting a special gift for myself, his mother and sister. And Keith's family seemed very concerned about getting a gift for me. This works . . .

Keith then slaved away ALL DAy in the kitchen, trying to prepare a beautiful Christmas meal. This included Turkey, Deviled eggs, Coleslaw, a yam & pecan casserole, stuffing, rolls, and Tiramisu. I can't remember anything else. I set the table as lovely as I knew how!! I used the yellow napkins mom gave me, and tied golden ribbons around them so that they rippled is a special way. Good thing we bought those lovely plates and wine glasses at the DI. WHEW my saving grace. Iigen was asleep during our lovely Christmas dinner, but we woke him up for his birthday cake.

Apparently it is also traditional for men to drink lots of alcohol in chinese culture. For health reasons keith does not join in. But, to their credit, they are consistant! There is a bottle of Brandy setting on my dinning room table. It sits there waiting, until after dinner, when Keith's father and uncle sit down, pour themselves a nice glass, drink it, and take a nap. After everyone went to bed I opened it and sniffed it. Hmm . .. could it be nail polish remover? So I poured myself a glass. Oh, perhaps it is nail polish remover. Except I didn't expect nail polish remover to burn the entire inside of your mouth and throat that way . . . maybe it would? Today they bought peanuts to go with it. I really wanted to suggest that it probably will take more than penuts to make the flavor more pleasant . . . But I figure it must be a man thing.
Today we went to Cedar City to visit with Lindsey Pickett and her wonderful little boy Rocklond. We miss them so much. John couldn't make it because he had to work. He is currently in the Houston Police academy. Rocklond has gotten so big, and so cute. With the most wonderful, toothy smile.
I have many more, BETTER photos to upload on Hsin I's much nicer camera. I will be sure to share those as soon as I have them on my computer.

Oh how I relish making Santa Jealous

2009-12-06T14:44:00.000-08:00

Today the spirit of christmas thrived in me . . . I worked on some knitting (intended for christmas gifts)

And I made these great peppermint candies. I downloaded the recipie off of martha stewart a while back. They are so easy, and inexpensive to make. A friend gave me an extra candy thermometer which she had, and I just bought some mint, lemon, and corn syrup. The other ingredients I already had. (pretty much just sugar and food coloring)

So I made these icicle peppermint sticks, and it was so delightful, that I went ahead and made a second batch of candy canes. Same recipie, just different color and shape. :-) These was truly a delightful project.

And like I said before, I am sure Santa Clause himself is thumbing up ways to keep his edge at this point . . . he'll have to try pretty hard!!!

Christmas Tree

2009-12-05T20:27:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I woke up from my nap to find keith in the living room messing around with the christmas tree stand. Why do you have that? I wondered outloud, and ran to the car to find a large christmas tree wrapped up in the back of the car!!!! YAYYYY!!! So we put up the christmas tree. Then today I used the clippings to make us a wreath.
The pics of Iigen are ofhim closing the door repeatedly. I would open the door and push it slightly open, he would open it all the way, laugh, and slam it in myface. It was a really funny game.

At the park

2009-12-05T19:49:00.001-08:00

Being home has brought alot of freedoms. Iigen and I have been able to take daily walks, and almost daily time at the park.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T18:36:00.000-08:00

The other night John Pickett's mom called to invite us over to their house in Cedar City for dinner. So we headed over there today. Their large family is so refreshing. One of their son's is dating a girl named "susan" from Kaohsiung. She even lives in the same part of the city as keith's family. She is 19, and very sweet and affectionate.
Kari and her sisters prepared a wonderful dinner. Let me tell you, that dining room was FULL. Iigen was a very good boy, choked on a roll, played with the doggies, was followed around by a gang of little girls, took a nap in the ergo, and ate lots of thanksgiving food.

Here You can see Iigen cautiously approaching the doggies. When they first ran up to him he very nervously shoved them away. Soon, however, he was running up to them to play with them.

Notice his cautious behavior.

He did find a basket ball to haul around.

Before stopping at the picketts, we drove around Cedar to see all the old sites. We got out by the football feild to use a bathroom.

At one point Iigen fall and scratched his nose and upper lip on the curb. :-( It was very sad, but he just got a couple of scratches and was okay.

At the end of the meal, Johns mother and sisters packed plenty of yummy leftovers for us, and John's Dad offered two large jars of home made apple sauce which they made recently, and a bag of dehydrated apples. I have to admit, I was really touched by the jars of apple sauce.

A good thanksgiving.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

Life of the Fired

2009-11-25T09:53:00.001-08:00

So, many of you are well aware of the fact that I have joined the ranks of the unemployed. I was fired over the phone, by my boss' mother shortly after arriving home from a long, mind breaking day of work. I am trying to say *Classy, but I can't stop gagging.
Anyways, the relief I felt upon hearing the news almost completely overwhelmed my disgust for the entire Kirchhausen family. After slaving . . . I do emphasize the word slaving, for a man for 3 months, and the only reason for doing so is because you believe that 1) he needs you and and 2) he really likes and values you, only to find out that he couldn't care less the whole time and was really . . . faking? Oh, did I mention that it is their company policy to not provide a reason for firing? Okay . . . And I was not allowed the privilege to discuss my circumstances with my boss, or immediate supervisor. If you could see my face as I type this, you would see sarcasm & maybe a raised eyebrow if I could force my forehead muscles to shape themselves in that manner.
Anyways, life as a homemaker/ student is amazing, challenging, boring, exciting, and . . . tiring.
Here are a few of the things we've been up to.

The refrigerator is a marvel to an 11 month old. He has Fridge-Dar, which means he has a 6th sense which allows him to know immediately, no matter where he is, whether or not the fridge has been opened. He also is able to temporarily obtain super human powers which enables him to shoot like lightening across the room, and shove any full sized adult out of the way who may be blokcing his path to the splendors of the refridgerator. This all happens in the blink of the eye. You may think you can quickly open and close the fridge for a glass of water, but alas, super refridgerator baby can not be avoided.

This is his winter hat, which he hates so much I have not felt the need to force him to wear it yet. I think it is the chin straps.

This is his ordinary outdoor attire. Since he has been confident on his feet i've been letting him play outside on the front stoop, and the front lawn for a half hour here or there.

I just thought this picture was really cute.

We've been spending alot of time outside. The sun is still really hot, but the air is really cold. It is weird. Under the shade of a tree you nearly freeze, but under the sun you have to shed layers. The other day we packed a back full of pots, pans, and large spoons and hauled them to the park where he dug in the sandbox. It is so fun having a toddler.

So the plan so far is simply to focus on school. Neither one of us has any immediate plans to work full time. :-) By the way, I will be updating the blog regularly.

This is a toy we recently bought for him. I is really cute to see it in action.

A Great Visit With Grampa

2009-10-13T20:38:00.000-07:00

Grammy's Overalls

2009-10-03T09:07:00.000-07:00

It is only just now cool enough to wear Grammy's overalls. The green pair may have to wait untillater this month. They don't adjust to quite as small a size. Today I also went through and pulled out all of his 12-18 month winter clothing, and put away all of his 6-9 month summer things . .. WAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!! and YYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY! at the same time. I can't wait for him to wear his little hat with the giant pom pom on top, with matching mittens to boot. We are going to buy sleds and go sledding in cedar city a few times. :-)

the park the other day

2009-10-03T08:54:00.000-07:00

The sock woman over in Island Pond gave me these socks . . . I haven't had any new ones in a long time, so I was thrilled to get them . . . We had our sweater sleeves rolledup because though it was cool in the shade, and sweater weather, but in the sun it was a little too warm. St George is weird thsi time of year . . . very weird.

See that funny face he is doing with his upper lip? Both of his top teath are in now, and for somereason he likes to tighten his lip over them . .. weird little kid. This picture makes him look like a 2 year old. He isnt . . . he is very very baby like in person

dinner

2009-10-03T08:28:00.000-07:00

2009-10-03T07:48:00.000-07:00

Peach Days in Hurricane

2009-09-09T21:11:00.000-07:00

There were, of course, no peaces.

Official Apology

2009-09-09T11:46:00.000-07:00

So, I've been too busy to scratch my bee-hind, if you know what I mean!! Life has suddenly taken us on a rollercoaster ride. A few things are consistant, however, like I know that nomatter what happens, we will be contantly busy regardless. I think this climate is good forus. We have always been the laid back ones. Tha tis part of the reason why we dropped out of college in the first place, because we weren't too keen on what college means for family life. But now that we are "involved" I think it keeps us happy, and productive. I work 8-5 monday through friday. My job is demanding, with a tad of pressure. What I mean by that, is this is the first time EVER that I have known that my work performance is directly related to whether or not I have a job. In the past work performance really just had to be average, with plenty of room for mistakes. So far I amd oing well. I feel like I have brown nosed to my bosses just enough to make them like me, and I work very hard. The idea that I have to do well at a job in order to have a job is SUPER new to me. Believe it or not, I am really phsyched to have this opportunity to make yet another leap in my work ethic (soemthing that grew slowly with me)
I took a history quiz yesterday. It was on matching the name to the early american document, and I prepared and got 100%. The girls around me were moaning about hwo they hadn't studied enough, and I also realized that this is the first time in life I have EVER and i really do mean EVER prepared properly for a test/quiz exam. This includes college, high school, and middle school.
So currently I am learning some amazing things about myself. I really thought, as a teenager that all I was cut out to do or to be was a creative mom. Nothing wrong with that. But I thought my brain was too abstract, my work ethic too weak, and I had no idea how to study or work hard. But here I am, a working mother! I have life beyond my child and husband, something that depsite my ambitions to be an opera singer, I never really believed I could do. I have co-workers, I have a boss whom I have impressed. I come home tired, and then I go to school. I study hard. And AND When I get home I tend to my sweet little one who usually misses me very very much. And I am still breast feeding. I am currently amazing myself. OH and did I mention that to realize that I have paid for everythign that i have, that I live in a comfortable home with thigns I love and want and to realize that Me, all by myself, paid for them . . .that feels amazing.
Keith and I are trying to remember to do cool thigns on the weekends. My goal i sto do 1 new/ interesting thing (no shopping- our usual fall back "somethign to do") last saterday we went to the Peach Festival and foudnd no peaches. But it was somethign! Next week we will probably go hiking at zions national park. We also have a wedding.
OH LIFE LIFE LIFE

pink laptop

2009-08-26T23:15:00.000-07:00

julie has her very own laptop now
it's a very cute pink toshiba netbook
it's pretty much very super cool
since it's got almost everything
super long battery life - 9 hours!!!
blue tooth
wireless internet
we just installed office 2007 home and students... original program!
and memory card reader and cute white wireless mouse
and built in webcam

so pretty much she's going to be a blogging queen again
and if you guys have web cam
you can webcam her on msn
her account is julieatme@hotmail.com
mine is studiohuang@hotmail.com

we like our study room
we really spend every night this week studing here.

Glasses

2009-08-23T16:55:00.001-07:00

So in preparation for school I decided to visit the eyedoctor. I have noticed some difficutly reading- not too bad, but after long periods It gets hard to focus. I also noticed that many times I cant ACTUALLY see what I am reading, but I do sort of a guess as to what the word may be- and am almost always right. Kind of like that game we use to play online where we wirhgt wrods mxeid up and we can still raed it Jsut fnie!! Anyways- Also, I cant see very well out of my left eye. WEnt to doctor, and he confirmed it, I need glasses. I have a stigmatism, which means the glasses will hurt my head for the first little while. he advises I waer them just to read for the firs tweek or so nutil I get use to them, and then gradually wear them more and more. Secretly I am ex cited since I have always wanted to wear glasses!!! I will pick up my glasses tomorrow. Picturse will follow. mind my spelling.

The Frog in the Faucet!!

2009-08-23T16:37:00.000-07:00

So this morning I drew Iigen a bath. He has been feverish, and keith and I have blamed it on teething. It bounced between 99.blah and 102.blah for two days, until this afternoon when it finally dropped (poor baby) but anyways, because he was hot and sticky this morning I drew him a luke warm bath to cool him down a bit. Its been raining quite a bit here in st george. And a few seconds after I turned the faucet on, a medium sized frog LEAPT out of the faucet!!!!! It hopped across the tub and alnded amongst Iigen's giant legos. I screamed like a banshee, which alarmed Iigen, because as far as I could immediately tell, it may have been a GIANT spider that had leapt from the faucet. SOOOO, I had no idea it was possible for small creatures to travel via water pipes. Is my drinking water exposed to the great outdoors?? Should I tell someone about this? After a few minutes teh frog began to scale the shower wall. Keith brought him outside. Rescuing both Iigen and I, and teh frog. :-)

Iigen and I getting ready to take a bath, staring at the frog. I felt like this picture exemplifies great posture. ;-D

Can you see the frog on the red lego???

Iigen and I, fully recovering, posing with frog in background.

The offending frog- how dare he . .. or she.

School starts tomarrow. My new job has been great. We've already made friends. Ericka, and her husband Tim. They are also a multi-cultural (asian/ white) couple. It has been really fun getting to know them. I have been shopping ALOT!! But finally my work wardrobe meets satisfaction- perhaps a fashion show is due???

2009-08-18T18:40:00.000-07:00

broken monitor

2009-07-29T22:11:00.000-07:00

yeah it just broke...
sucks, now i'm using our projector it's so big...
really dont want to spend 100 for a stupid monitor....

keith's family blog

2009-07-25T21:28:00.000-07:00

keith's family in taiwan... his parents and sister has a blog now!!
http://huangintaiwan.blogspot.com/
and invite them to read your blog if you want
the email is
mickey_0724@hotmail.com

by the way we use thehuangfam@gmail.com for our blog so please re-invite us so we can read your blog too

thank you very much and have a good day. see you later

Pine Valley, Bagels, etc OH and my hair

2009-07-23T18:24:00.001-07:00

It has been BEASTLY hot, and we've been staying indoors as much as possible. Thank the heavens for our AC -our magic control on our personal climate- except it doesn't really work in teh bedroom . . .unfortunately. SPEAKING of the bedroom (don't worry, it is safe to read on, hahah) Iigen no longer sleeps in bed with us, but on a little padding of blankies I made for him on the floor. No transition neccesary, since he behaves as if he had always slept there. He still just wakes up once to nurse, and then goes right back to sleep. And SPEAKING of Iigen, he ate a beatle today! It was HORRID. My worst fear too, except My nightmares involve cockroaches, and this beatle (as best I could tell) was fairly small never the less horrid. he was by the front door playing rather quietly when I looked and saw him chewing, and making a face as if he was horribly disgusted with whatever it was in his mouth. I fished out the beetles shell, which still had a grey flesh attached to the underside of it . . . ugh. He was still working on something, so I timidly put my finger in there, but HORRIBLY terrified I'd discover large dangly legs or something, So my efforts were half hearted. But it must have been small, whaever was left, because I couldnt find anything. But instead gave him water to wash it down, and apple juice to help him recover from any nasty flavors. I swept and washed the doorstep properly now, placed a pretty floor mat and sprayed the outside step. HOPEFULLY with daily attention we shall PREVENT any more events like this one.

We cut our hair. Keith did his, and I did mine. I dont like mine, but it was falling out anyway, so I figured change was needed. It is short, to my shoulder.
These pictures are from pine valley. We headed up there to go hiking, but were disapointed by the trail we chose. I heard later that they have better, easier trails. But alas, we couldn't help but note to ourselves how much it was like a "mock" vermont.

And Iigen in his booster seat. So glad we finally bought it. And this is one of the shirts mom got him. He wears nothing else. Infact, one of them is already stained . . . .:=( But in our defense, hehas worn them LITERALLY every day since vermont.

AND I made bagels. Fun project delicious results, not advisable for those who have issues with controlling carb intake as it is easy to lose complete control and eat them all in one morning. ESPECAILLY with added cinnamon sugar on top. Well, I shouldn't say all. But I average 2 a day .

And my work, which has cut my hours to 28-30 per week is really gettingin my hair. Each of my co-workers are suddenly acting weird. My boss and her assistant whose hours haven't been cut are acting distant probably because they feel guity that their haven't been cut. Head of housekeeping has invented something to dislike me for. I can not think why. It may have been the fact that she is a bigot and I'm not? Ever since our converatino about the mexican ladies she has avoided me COMPLETELY and when we must meet,she acts really tired and doesn't say anything. And then there is the woman who thinks I think she smells. . . .. the only people who aren't acting weird are the teenage boys. OH and when I asked my manager about my paid vacation (which as a full time I'm entitled too, and I HAVE been a full time up until about . . . this week) and they are acting very strange about it. Sort of chilly about it. PRobably because tey know I'm kon the lookout for another job, and they don't want to give a paid vacation if I"m just gonna give em my two weeks the week after. :-) which I plan to.

As of late . . .

2009-07-19T10:22:00.001-07:00

What have I been doing? Battling black widow spiders, tending a 6 1/2 month old who must and WILL climb any and everything, going to work which has a slightly more "cold" feel to it now that the economy is cutting our hours, trying to find time to spend with my husband amidst my work and his work, and trying to keep in good spirits.

Ontop of this all my one english speaking companion at work has surprised me with her overly self conscious emotions! So now my one friend at work is lost to me forever simply because I can't figure her out, and her husband is an ass hole. Sorry if you've heard the story. Skip this paragraph if you have.

I told her she smells like a friend of mine from highschool. I could tell she was upset, and she explained she had a complex, so I just apolagized up one side of her and down the other, but I could tell she wanted to be alone. I could hear her texting, and next thing I know her HUSBAND has called me demanding to know if I had told sonja that she smells. How awkward is it that I had no idea she was THAT offended, and then to be bullied into explaining the whole situation to him with sonja standing by listening, and provide gushing apolagies to him infront of her, then hanging up, apolagizing in the same fashion to her yet again, then to have her husband arrive 12 minutes later and have them both disapear for 10, her another 25, and then for her husband to stand guard in the lobby for the rest of the evening. At this point I feel angry that I allowed myself to appolagize so many times. I wish that when he had called I had told him that I would speak with sonja- since it is she I had offended , and that if he wanted a recounting of what had happened, I am sure sonja would provide a thrilling documentation of it later. I wish I had withheld my apolagy that I provided to him at her audience, and that I hadn't apolagized to her a 2nd time. AND that when Sonja had disapeared for 30 minutes when I needed her most that night, that I had demanded that she dry her tears, stop her wailing and come help me as she was getting paid to do! And at this point, I feel like they both need to apolagize to ME!

keith's blog

2009-07-15T23:38:00.000-07:00

oh by the way keith has his own blog now, he'll try to fill in w/ creative notes and his crazy thoughts...

go check it out

blog.studio-huang.com

studio haung is officially open

2009-07-15T23:30:00.001-07:00

finally... it's done!!!
www.studio-huang.com is now open to public with fresh new art and funky stuff
please post the news as much as possible for us cuz this is our ticket to move back to VT...

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My 21 birthday <3 (pg 13 material here)

2009-07-13T06:30:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was my 21st birthday!! Mostly the "festive" part of it was the other day when I got my ergo. Today we cleaned the house, relaxed, did our grocery shopping, and then were visited by the loverly and wonderful Jessica Wolf and marina McCombs. SHOOT I totally meant to take pictures from their visit, but didn't. But I loved seeing them. I miss them so much. Hanging out just reminds me of how much I miss them.
Then after Iigen went to sleep we lit up our little chocolate creme pie. Looking at the thing. I thought we would finish and wish we had another just like it. BUt it was so rich we could only finish half of the pie, and the other half sitll sits in our fridge.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

another video

2009-07-11T14:33:00.000-07:00

Climbing the stairs

2009-07-11T14:16:00.000-07:00