Rejected!!!!!

Yes those are exclamation marks.

I received my first official rejection letter in the mail yesterday from Boyds Mills Press for my very short children's rhyme book -- A Mouse in Madison's House. Why is this a good thing? A) because it means I actually submitted something to be published and B) Choppper's theory is that every author is rejected 20 times before they are actually published.

So 19 more submissions to go!

Family Fun

There is nothing better than doing fun, cheap things with your family in great weather.

But first . . . Megan loves stuffed animals. She is now going to bed with 4 or 5 a night. And she gets very excited when she sees them. Including this one: Yes, this is Yoda. I thought he would freak her out, but no. She really liked his toes.

Anyway -- yesterday Chop took the day off and we toured some friends around the Capitol and then went to the zoo. Megan was so good even though she missed her nap and was pretty tired. She loves animals and got a big kick out of the birds and bears and the tiger -- and he roared for us!

The cherry blossoms were out in full force and I was reminded again how much I LOVE DC! I wouldn't want to live there with traffic and stuff but it really is one of my favorite cities. We had such a good time. Then today we went to Chancellorsville battlefield where Stonewall Jackson was shot by his own troops (on accident) and died after the amputation of his arm (which is buried in Spotsylvania -- the arm that is) and then walked around Mary Washington again. It made me miss college a bit -- that was a really great 4 years and Mary Wash is pretty much the prettiest campus this side of wherever.

Megan is getting to the point where she wants to do things and tries to put on socks, jewelry, hats, sunglasses, shoes, etc. She's getting pretty good at it, even if the hat is closed in this one.

I am a Top Chef!

Back before Chopper and I got rid of cable, I really enjoyed watching Top Chef on Bravo (although it was 2nd to Project Runway ANY DAY!). As I was making Megan lunch yesterday, I realized that they really aren't as fabulous as they seem. At least a few times each season, the contestants will do a dish that is "deconstructed". In other words, the individual components have been separated and are served to be eaten one at a time. Well gosh darn, I've been doing these for months now! Yesterday Megan has burrito's -- deconstructed (rice and beans and tortilla and cheese all separate on her little tray) and for dinner, hamburgers -- deconstructed. She also has enjoyed chicken salad -- deconstructed, and plenty of sandwiches -- deconstructed.

Either the chefs aren't that advanced, or the judges don't realize that they are being served toddler food. :)

My Grand Debut

I've debated telling this story but Chopper and my mom think it's hilarious so I suppose I should laugh about it as well.

Yesterday I did my first sharing time as the Primary President. It wasn't bad -- Easter-themed and the kids seemed to enjoy it. Plus I had a really great attention-getter for the beginning.

Part of the lesson involved pictures of the events of Christ's life and I'm walking to the board to put the first one up. Backwards. And talking at the same time. And we have a fixed podium in our primary room with a small stair step for the little little kids to stand on when they give talks, etc. And I tripped. No big deal right?

As I'm struggling to regain my balance, arms waiving and everything, I try to reposition my feet. Only I reposition on the edge of the stair and just pretty much go head over heels. I hear a collective gasp from 30 children ages 4-8, 5 teachers, a pianist, and a choristor as I go down. I jump up and say "I'm ok!" But I wasn't. I'm pretty sure our pianist and choristor (who is male) got a good look under my skirt. I don't think the kids did since I was behind the podium . . . Well at least it can't get any worse than that. And nothing was hurt except my pride -- and that probably needed to be taken down a notch after the Megan Easter pictures. I just didn't know it would happen so literally!

Yes, I know . . .

I have pretty much the cutest girl in the universe. See Grandma, she loves the sunglasses! I took her on a "photo shoot" to Chopper's parents today in her Easter dress because it was 70 degrees out. Tomorrow: rain. Sunday: cold. Plus, they have some really beautiful flowers. But, Megan wanted no part of the flowers -- I had to post a few where she is attempting to eat the dirt, leaves, twigs, and oh yes, the balls from a sweet gum tree -- and they are not sweet, they are spiky. I think it started as "what does this taste like" and became "how fast will mom take it away from me" because she literally would go slow until I took it away from her and one time she actually held it to her mouth while I took the picture and THEN tried to eat it. But she loved the dirt!

We have movement!

Megan has finally figured out forward motion. It happens inches at a time (maybe less) but it's happening. Especially if there are chocolate chips nearby!

It's spring!

I'm loving being back in Virginia more and more! Of course, ask me again in July and August . . .

Dr. Carter wasn't at the ER :(

Well we had our first trip to the ER for a child. And it was a joy, let me tell you!
Megan had black stools (usually an indication of blood) and of course it was after hours. The visit can be summed up quite simply:

*Infants get nearly immediate care (no blood in stool -- yay!)
*Ankle ID bracelets provide hours of entertainment (literally -- waiting for blood work results is a pain)

So despite the fact that she was fine, it took them about 4 hours to verify it and send us home. But I need to be counting my blessings that she WAS fine. And I have a whole new appreciation for moms who see the hospital frequently for one reason or another -- you're made out of stronger stuff than I am!

Oh yeah, I got called as the ward Primary President. Chopper's "calling" is to take care of Megan since she's not in nursery yet so I can do my calling. He's quite happy about that.

Megan Hates Doctors

Of course I don't think anyone is REALLY fond of them (sorry Alicia) but Megan has had a mega dose this week.

The girl has had an ongoing case of diarrhea for about 3 weeks, and they finally asked me to bring her in after I saw blood in her diaper. So this week we had one pediatrician visit, one phlebotomist visit (taking blood from a 1-year old -- I don't know who was more traumitized, Megan or me.), and one allergist visit. We still don't know what's going on for sure but she had three things pop up at the allergists: peanuts, bananas, and soy. We're going back in a month to double-check because they might be false positives - the banana particularly - but in the meantime, she's going off of it all. Peanuts and banana not a big deal (actually she hasn't had peanuts but her cousing Sophie is highly allergic so I had her tested) but SOY?!?!?! IT IS IN EVERYTHING! Even vegetable oil is really soybean oil. I could not find a single loaf of bread without soy in it so I made bread today for her. Graham crackers, goldfish, EVERYTHING has soy in it. It's really kind've irritating actually. Except I do love homemade bread. But hopefully this does the trick and it's not something more serious.

If I Were a Teacher . . .

I guess I need to store these ideas for later. My grandma sent me a pile of books (I love that woman), and I just finished A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. It was really good! I suppose that it's not a show stopping, heart rending, rip through the pages read but it was just good. It's a coming of age story set in Brooklyn, NY in the 19-teens. And now that I'm no longer teaching of course, I think it would make a wonderful book for junior English -- American lit. Figures.

Bubbles

Megan is utterly fascinated with bubbles. She likes to look at them but it's taken a long time to get her to touch them. The first time I put her in a bubble bath she cried and to this day she goes in with her arms up and takes a few minutes to get comfortable. Last night we gave her one because we got some new bubbles and wanted to try them out. We didn't realize how much they were going to produce! Plus, they were perfumed and it's funny but in the last few months I've developed a sensitivity to perfume and chemical smells that really bothers me so it looks like bubble baths will be dad's area of expertise.

This is the dress! I'm going to add a flower to the waistband but it's done and adorable. I'm so excited for Easter! By the way, if any of ya'll sew and want a pattern I'll send it to you. I never cut my patterns out, I always trace onto tissue paper and then cut that out so that I can reuse a pattern in a different size. But patterns are expensive and while Joann Fabrics has great sales, there should be some kind of pattern exchange out there to swap them around and stuff. Just a thought.

Learning Curve

Megan and I have spent almost all our time at home this week while Chopper is driving me car to work every day (his is in the shop from the accident). So I've been reading up on easy, fun activities to do with toddlers -- except it seems to be a requirement that they be able to toddle first. Oh well. I'll just store them for later. I've also been sewing her Easter dress. I've decided I need to learn how to sew well, particularly for my girl(s). Since we now live in an area where it is particularly difficult to find modest dresses, I think it will come in handy. Even baby dresses are sleeveless and I just want her to dress right from the get-go so that there's never any question of what's appropriate or not. Plus, I really like making adorable dresses! I'll post pictures of this one later -- our camera is on the fritz -- but I've learned some things:
1. For a fully lined dress, get a light lining. My poor baby is wearing half her weight in cotton!
2. For basting or gathering stitches, use dark or contrasting thread so they're easier to see to pull out.

But despite some difficulties, my backup plan will not be needed (buy an adorable dress from the spring collection at THe Children's Place -- now I'll just wait until they go on sale!). The dress came out really cute.

My blog however, not so much . . . still working on it!

Irony

So yesterday Chopper stayed home from work. Government declared a two-hour delay and liberal leave and we got about 3-5" (I don't measure people!) and he was worried about the roads and, more importantly, idiot drivers.

Today it is clear, sunny, and the roads are nice and dry. Chopper got side-swiped by some guy on the way to work this morning.

I swear.

So I took this picture of the snow -- it is the first major snow Virginia has had this year (this area anyway) and I know my friends in Idaho, Montana, and Nebraska are laughing their heads off because of how this cripples the area. By the way, public schools were closed yesterday AND TODAY because of the snow. All you little darlings at Highland High School -- don't you wish? Actually, when I taught there, I wished too. Snow days are mental necessities.

Oh, and the red car on the left is my "new" one. I kind've feel cool driving a red SUV around . . .

Oh and I'd like to welcome my sister-in-law Emily to the blogging world -- It's nice to have you on the dark side.

We're Back!

I cannot tell you how good it is to have internet again. We decided when we moved to Virginia (and I can't believe we're FINALLY here!) that we wouldn't get TV but I had to have my internet!

Ok, lots to update -- I guess I should give the short version right?

My brother Jeff came home from his mission in Mendosa, Argentina on Feb. 6 -- Megan's first birthday. Of course it was the first time that he had seen her and he kept saying things like "she is so cute!" (yes, thank you) and "I can't believe I'm an uncle!". We celebrated her birthday and his homecoming at my parents in Michigan and then Chopper and Megan and I drove the 12 hours (yes, with a 1-year old) to our apartment in Fredericksburg, Virginia! It is wonderful to be together again as a family and have our stuff. I know things are just material possessions but having your own space is invaluable.

Megan now has 5 teeth and is still not crawling! We had her one-year appointment with a new doctor and she has referred us to a service that will provide physical therapy if Megan qualifies. I'm pretty sure she will. She is really turning into a toddler: pointing at things she wants, screeching and babbling at the top of her lungs, rolling her eyes at me, etc. It's fun to have her more interactive than just reactive.

I've been reading up a storm lately and have gotten on this Shannon Hale kick (thanks Grandma!). She writes mainly young adult fiction but they are all the best stories and wonderful romances to boot! I highly recommend her -- the titles I've read so far are The Goose Girl, Book of A Thousand Days, Princess Academy, and Austenland -- actually an adult novel about a woman who goes to a "camp" that is Regency England/Jane Austen immersion -- fun, light read. I also read a fun book called These Is My Words. I can't remember the author and once you get past the fact that the title is horrendous it is really good. It's diary-style about a woman in the Arizona territories in the mid to late 1800s. Also very romantic but it felt very real -- like this is what women really think and feel. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Ok pictures! I'm going to attach a ton because it's been so long -- hopefully they all come through. Enjoy! ** I just checked them and for some reason the text isn't matched up with the pictures but I'll be darned if I'm going to redo it so have fun matching them up!
Just grinning!
Happy Valentine's Day!

Megan started doing this funny thing in pushing out her stomach and holding it when she was done eating. I swear she looked pregnant.
Megan and my brother Jeff reading stories.


Happy first birthday! THe pink doll in the first picture was her birthday present from Aunt Denise -- it's an ugly sock doll and it's really horribly cute and Megan loves it -- especially the eyes. Apparently they look tasty!

Just a funny face.
With my brother Mark who lives in Chicago.
With Grandpa Gasser (aka my dad and can I just say -- that sounds really weird to call him Grandpa Gasser -- sorry dad!) Everyone was wonderful and wore birthday hats which Megan thought was really funny.

I have the strangest child on the planet. She never really took to baby food and LOVES table food. Spicy and flavorful included. I am not kidding when I say she eats fajitas -- not burrito style obviously). Anyway, her cake. SHe pulled off the sprinkles one by one and ate them but then didn't want anything to do with the cake because it was covered in sticky icing and she doesn't like things that are sticky (she won't eat syrup either). So I broke it up for her and she ate a few pieces but was just ok with the whole thing. She didn't have icecream -- mainly because she refuses to take a spoon and I'm not giving that to her for finger food! Strange baby.

Update

My in-laws internet is worse than my parents! I'm here (Virginia) until Sunday and then back to Michigan until the beginning of February and then Chopper and I will finally be back together again!!! WA-HOO!!!! We actually are in the process of getting an apartment and getting our furniture from Montana and I can't tell you how much better it makes me feel just to know that we are going somewhere!

Christmas was fabulous and made more entertaining because of Megan's reactions to everything. I won't be able to post pictures until I get back to Michigan but it was wonderful.

Chopper is literally working everyday up to the inauguration and then it looks like we'll be scheduling him for shoulder surgury to just take care of whatever the issue is!

I've been reading a good series by Rick Riordan (for middle-school, young teen age group) called Percy Jackson and the Olympians. It's about a young man who discovers that he is a hero (half god, half mortal) in present day and that the gods have not disappeared. Great for mythology because it puts it all in a modern context! And it's a fun read.