January?

So, January was a big crapfest. Not literally, but pretty close.
Urgent care, ceaseless crying, molars coming in, sick kid, sick kid, sick dad, sick mom, injured knee, rainy, computer died, old tv didn't fit into the armoire that took forever to get sorted out, canceled playdates and cabin fever. And more cabin fever. No gym because of sick kids, no church because of sick kids. No Avatar because of sick mommy and injured knee of the guy who's 6'4" and barely fits into a movie theatre chair anyway. Oh, and the 3 year old. Oh, the 3 year old. (Almost 3, in March.) Hands on her hips, scowl down to her lips, and attitude to drive us insane. INSANE. Any possible decision involves wailing and weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Mostly hers, a little of ours.)

But, now we're all fine, (except John's knee.) Its been a little sunny, I saved $300 on the armoire, we bought a flat screen and we're ordering our new computer today. We've played with friends, both adult and kids, gone back to the gym and might actually go on our date next week. Oh, and Jacob turned one! And he can walk! And we gave him his first "haircut." Its a buzz cut but it didn't start out as one. Annika is learning her letters and is pretty good. We mailed her binky to the Binky Fairy with a beautifully decorated letter. The Binky Fairy sent Annika a beautiful letter telling her how proud she was of her and that the binky would be given to a special little baby who needed it more. The Binky Fairy sent her a special present, a magic wand that makes special "magic" noises. (Kind of a tinkling sound.) We've been 2 weeks without it and I must say that I'm proud of everyone. A few nights she was "having a rough time" and crying that she wanted the binky fairy to bring her binky back and that I should get it back for her.

Because our computer died, I can't post pictures for a little while. I'm using John's work computer right now. I'll post as soon as I can.

Local Eateries

When I lived in an apartment complex in Provo, where I met John, you needed a parking sticker in order to avoid towing. Parking is pretty tight in Provo and this is a constant problem, trying to find parking when visiting friends. However, I was parked in my own parking lot with a valid parking sticker.

I woke up one snowy morning, got ready for the day and went outside to start my snowy journey up to Salt Lake, an hour long drive. I was testifying at court for an adoption finalization so it wasn't a day to be late.

However, when I went down to the parking lot, I couldn't find my car. Most of the cars had frost and some had snow covering them, so I kept looking. I looked on the other side of the building. I looked some more. And some more. How embarrassing, I couldn't find my own car.

I went back up to my apartment and asked my sleepy roommate to go out and see if I was overlooking my parked car. She couldn't find it either, so I had to face the possibility that it had been stolen. I called the main office first and they told me to call the towing company that patrols the area. Like parasites. Or Somali pirates. (Are those pirates Somali, or just hanging out close to Somalia.)

I called the towing company. I gave them the make, model, color and license plate number. They went out and looked, and indeed, they had my car imprisoned in their sinister lot. WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!

They informed me that the cost to release my car was $80.

I then summoned my NY attitude and began my tirade.

In an articulate, firm manner I reminded them that I had a valid parking sticker, even if it was obscured by the ice and snow and tinted windows, that if they were in any doubt whatsoever, they were foolish to tow the car, they were reckless, their actions were illegal and the action amounted to theft. I forcefully told them that I was required in Salt Lake for official court business and this delay could cause me to miss this engagement, for which they would be held responsible and that not only was I not, under any circumstances, not going to pay $80.....

Interruption: Now, imagine standing before me in all my righteous indignation and glory. I am a strong, independent woman who is not to be trifled with. I speak with power and I demand respect. My roommate is beholding me in wonder.

And then...

So let us return. Not only was I not, under any circumstances, not going to pay $80, but I demanded compensation, or at the very least (CRINGE AND HUMILIATION COMING) certificates to local eateries.

Certificates to local eateries.

That's what I actually said. It was seconds before my roommate had fallen to the floor laughing. she had tears in her eyes as I struggled to keep any of the 'tude that I had previously had, but it was not to be. I hung up as soon as they offered me $40 cash and could barely look anyone in the eye when I went to retrieve my car.
Later, I took my roommate out to eat at a local eatery.

Funny things she says

"Annika, are you poopy or just wet?"
"I'm not poopy. I'm just fine."

Annika, sitting on the couch without a diaper because she'd gone several times in the potty and I was giving her a few minutes to come back:

"Annika, do you want to go back to the potty or should we put on a diaper?"
"No, I have my hand." She showed me that she had her hand either close or on her bum. She didn't explain the dynamics of how this would work, but she seemed pretty confidant that she had everything under control.

I was trying to take a nap and told her that she could stay in my bed and be quiet or she could go in her room and play quietly.
Whispering, "I'll go play. Sweet dreams, mom."

Munching on whatever or sucking on a candy cane: "Deee-wicious!!!"

Deciding on what song I should sing to her before she sleeps: "Uhhhhhh, shirt song." "No, Annika's shirt song." "Good job, mom."
"Uhhhhh, curly hair song." "No, mommy's curly hair song." "Sanks, mom."

"I need a bath. My bum hurts." (When she used to get diaper rash really bad, we'd give her a baking powder bath. If she wants a bath at all, she'll say, "My bum hurts.")

"Annika, Dawson can't come over, he is feeling sick."
"Dawson's sick. His bum hurts."

"No, Annika, not right now, I don't feel well."
"Mommy, you're sick. Your bum hurts."
etc.

"I want it be Christmas again."
"I miss Christmas. You miss Christmas too."