Ellie May Clampett's Cousin

Yesterday, I was up and in a rush to get to the Y for the 8:45 class, per usual. I put Gibson in his high chair to eat some blueberries before we were off and running. I grabbed a couple of blueberries myself before grabbing some socks from the dresser drawer. I saw the mirror above the dresser and decided to flash myself a smile (Why? I do not know. I do not habitually walk past mirrors and smile at myself, I assure you). But this day I did. And this day... I saw
Birtha Jo Clampett, cousin of Ellie May and Jethro. Not only did have several blackened teeth from blueberry peels, but all of them had a lovely darkened tint from the blueberry juice. This compounded with my high fashion hair-do was quite a site. I had slept in pig tails, so my hair was a ratted mess on top, and fastened on each side just below the ears was long straw-like, stringy-ness. Seriously, I was startled looking up because someone from the hills of West Virginia was on the other side of the mirror (no offense of course to West Virginians, it's just the hills of MN just doesn't have the same ring... plus there aren't any hills to speak of in MN). I laughed... really hard! And later I wished that I would've thought to take a picture. It was priceless!

High Ti?!?!

Last night Gibson put his hand up near his shoulder, palm facing out and started saying "high ti?, high ti? high ti?" Hmm... my mind started trying to translate Gibsonese. What does that mean?... Ahh! Got it! "Oh do you want to give mommy a high five?" Oh the biggest smile I got in response and then about 20 more "high ti"s.

I bought a video camera last week, which was a huge blessing from God. It's a long story, but God really did guide me to the right store at the right time to get a HUGE discount. I've been trying to figure out how it works and get these cute moments stored on video. Unfortunately, he has a bit of stage fright for the camera. Maybe if I get it out enough he'll get used to it and it won't hinder his "performance." Seriously, he wouldn't answer the easiest questions... things that he's known for months... Of course. I'm probably going to have to be sneakier, turning it on when he's not paying attn. But it'll be fun to post videos if I can figure out how.

A little child shall lead them...

I knew one day that my little ones would show me things spiritually and remind me of things... didn't expect it at 17 mo. A few minutes we sat down for an afternoon snack... I started to eat my leftover spaghetti, but Gibson folded his hands, looked at me and said "A-meh", wanting us to pray for our meal. Good reminder Gibs, thanks.

A blog w/o identity; A gal w/o poise.

So, I have tried to change the colors of this thing multiple times and it still looks so frumpy. I have no clue how to get a really cool looking blog like many of yours, and if I did... I would be too indecisive to choose.

Also, the other day I was at a class at the Y... where you need a step and a mat and a few different weights, etc... and I was intensely aware of what a clodhopper I am. As careful as I tried to be, my weights were clunking, I couldn't get the step situated right, something was always sticking out and in the way... and it's not just at the Y. It's everywhere. I've always been insanely oblivious to what my body parts are doing. I concluded that I am the Steve Urkel of life, consistently dropping things, bumping things, thinking "did I do that?" and saying "oops!" In fact, that was my nickname for a while growing up. Oh to have a shred of poise!

As promised

Here, hopefully (since this will be my third attempt), are the pics of Gibson's jingle bells fiesta.

Jingle Bells

Jingle Bells is Gibson's new favorite song. Lately he's enjoyed any sort of music, and any sort of signing even more than before. And having eclectic musical interest of my own, we sing everything from traditional kids songs, to radio songs, to classical music to t.v. theme songs - so many important genres to expose him to. On our drive to Bob's folks yesterday, we had family Christmas sing-a-long in the car. Daddy would pick one, then mommy, etc. One of them had to be jingle bells, right?

We started singing and clapping, all was going as usual. Then came the "hey" part. Apparently the gusto with which Bob and I sang "hey" in unison was quite amuzing to Gibson. He laughed every time we said "hey" and then he'd repeat, "Hey!" Then later in the evening, after opening gifts with the cousins, we sang jingle bells, 8 or so people yelling "hey" was even better than 2, so Gibson was tickled beside himself. We got some pics I'll post later.

Obsessed with his feet

Since Gibson could walk holding on to fingers, he's been obsessed with touching things with his feet. He intentionally walks over things with different textures. Now he loves putting his feet inside things.

Exhibit A:

While I was putting on my makeup before our play last weekend, I heard him whining, but didn't have time to check what was wrong that minute. When I looked down, he had gotten his foot stuck in an empty kleenex box.

Exhibit B:

The other day when we got home from the store, I left him downstairs so I could go to the bathroom. I figured he would follow me up, like usual. While I was in the bathroom I kept hearing a clunk clunk clunk noise. I thought he was making his way up the stairs. When I got out of the bathroom, I looked down the stairs expecting to see him on his way up. No. Instead I saw him with both my high-heeled shoes on the right feet, walking around. I didn't grab my camera quite soon enough, but it helps with the memory.