I was listening to the radio the other day and a Brad Paisley song, "Remind Me," came on (not a huge fan of the video, by the way). It touched a note with me, mostly in that I don't want Ernest and I to get to that point. Here are some of the lyrics.
We didn't care if people stared
We'd make out in a crowd somewhere
Somebody'd tell us to get a room
It's hard to believe that was me and you
Now we keep saying that we're OK
But I don't want to settle for good not great
I miss the way that it felt back then I wanna feel that way again
Been so long that you'd forget the way I used to kiss your neck
Remind me, remind me
So on fire so in love. Way back when we couldn't get enough
Remind me, remind me
Oh, if you still love me
Don't just assume I know
Baby, remind me, remind me
The song goes on, and I think it is sweet, and also real. I think it is very easy to let things slip as time goes by and it's easy to not take enough time for each other, especially the way you did at first. I know I struggle with getting so wrapped up in being a good employee and a (try-to-be-good) mom that I sometimes feel I don't do so well as a wife. It's easy to let our "couplehood" go to the back-burner because it is OK. No big problems or anything, but I think you have to keep it in the front to really make it great. So, along those lines I was thinking about some of my favorite times together with Ernest. Here are a couple. And I wish I had pictures!!!
The first weekend we met in person, we were together practically the whole weekend. We also had people with us the whole time. However, one evening we went to The Coal Mine Dragon in Security, Colorado for dinner. Our first official date. So fun. We sat and talked and had Chinese food, just the two of us. It never was awkward between us, or even quiet.
The next one I remember was a Friday night when we were engaged... I drove down to Ernest's house and had told him I had a surprise for him. He was taking a nap, so I woke him up when I got there. I finally got him out of the house and we got into my car. We grabbed mozzarella sticks from Sonic (still one of our favorites) and headed up into the mountains. (Obviously we were living in Colorado Springs at the time.) Before I picked up Ernest I had stopped at the store and bought a small pan of brownies and some strawberries.
We headed west up towards Florissant. I finally told Ernest that we were going to be watching for the Space Station to fly by and watch for shooting stars. We picked a dark parking lot and pulled off to watch. Now, it was July, and pretty hot during the day in the Springs. I didn't think about how cold it would get in the mountains in July. I had a sleeping bag in my car, so we huddled on the ground under that for a while. We did see the Space Station go by and saw several shooting stars. It didn't take very long before we got too cold and got in the back seat of my car (a little Sunfire), ate strawberries and brownies, and tried to spot shooting stars through the back window.
We finally gave up, laughing at ourselves, but still having had a good time. We headed back the hour or so to the Springs and finally got warm in the car.
And another after we were married... One Saturday before Ally was born we went to Parkville for the day (blog post here). We enjoyed our visit so much (partly the town, partly just us being together doing what we like to do) that we've been back several times. Still haven't caught the jazz festival though. Maybe this year.
What are your favorite things to do with your special someone?
Friday, January 27, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Kiddo Update
Little Man
Jacob finally has 4 teeth solidly in, with 2 more peeking. It's about time!
He LOVES to play with Allyson. He has quickly gone from walking to running (with a lot of falling to go along with it).
He can get to giggling so hard that he just falls over and is helpless. Ernest is especially good at getting this to happen, but Ally can also do it if they are playing together.
He loves to sit in front of Ally's vent with the warm air blowing on him. If it gets quiet, you can usually go look for him and he'll be sitting in front of her vent just chillin'.
He can flush the toilet. And really enjoys doing it. If you are heading to the bathroom, watch out, he'll be right on your heels.
He loves - I mean LOVES - bath time. He pointed to the bath on Friday and I told him No, we'd have a bath on Saturday, and he started throwing a fit.
He's still pretty set on schedules. He gets up between 6-7, wants a nap around 9 for an hour or so, another nap around 1 usually for 2 hours, and he's ready for bed about 7 at night. You mess with his schedule and he will tell you about it.
He babbles all of the time. I've always said that I didn't want my kid having a dummy in his mouth after he was big enough to walk around and talk. Well, at home he only gets his dummy when he's going to sleep, but at church I've found that he is much quieter if he has a dummy than if he is without. So, a dummy it is.
His list of vocabulary words include:
Ally continually surprises me with what she knows in the way of numbers, letters, and colors.
She is getting very good at putting things together. "If it rains, it will help the flowers grow."
She has pretty good hand-eye coordination, I'm sure due to playing on Auntie JoAnn and Auntie Martha's smartphones.
She remembers a lot - and don't you dare change your mind about something that she remembers.
She is turning into a Little Girl. She loves wearing clips in her hair, tights, and dresses.
Favorite colors are pink and purple.
She wants her panties to match what she is wearing, either in pattern (stripes, hearts, etc.) or color - and sometimes both!
She can throw masterful tantrums when she wants to.
She still hates to go to sleep and every night is at least an hour-long battle to get her to stay in bed and go to sleep.
She gives wonderful cuddles and will still say "Noo-noo" for "Love You"
She wants to make Jacob happy when he cries and will sing to him and give him hugs.
She will stamp her foot and tell you that she is mad or sad.
A hug and a kiss will still fix just about anything that ails her.
My Man aka Ernest
Just because we haven't had anything about him on here lately.... He's still my favorite, of course, and I thank my Heavenly Father every day for him. He loves our kids and takes time to play with them. He'll stay up with them on the weekends so I can take a nap, or he'll put Ally to bed so I can get a little bit more sleep. He's been working a lot of overtime again lately so our time with him is precious, but that just makes me appreciate him even more. He makes me smile, comforts me, and makes me want to be better. I hope I continue to do the same for him!
Jacob finally has 4 teeth solidly in, with 2 more peeking. It's about time!
He LOVES to play with Allyson. He has quickly gone from walking to running (with a lot of falling to go along with it).
He can get to giggling so hard that he just falls over and is helpless. Ernest is especially good at getting this to happen, but Ally can also do it if they are playing together.
He loves to sit in front of Ally's vent with the warm air blowing on him. If it gets quiet, you can usually go look for him and he'll be sitting in front of her vent just chillin'.
He can flush the toilet. And really enjoys doing it. If you are heading to the bathroom, watch out, he'll be right on your heels.
He loves - I mean LOVES - bath time. He pointed to the bath on Friday and I told him No, we'd have a bath on Saturday, and he started throwing a fit.
He's still pretty set on schedules. He gets up between 6-7, wants a nap around 9 for an hour or so, another nap around 1 usually for 2 hours, and he's ready for bed about 7 at night. You mess with his schedule and he will tell you about it.
He babbles all of the time. I've always said that I didn't want my kid having a dummy in his mouth after he was big enough to walk around and talk. Well, at home he only gets his dummy when he's going to sleep, but at church I've found that he is much quieter if he has a dummy than if he is without. So, a dummy it is.
His list of vocabulary words include:
- Mama
- Dada
- Sni - Snitch. Rob and Jane's dog which, tragically, died the same day Jacob learned to say his name.
- Mi - Milk.
- Ba - Ball or Balloon or Bath, depending on the context.
- Buh-buh - Bye Bye.
- Ally - I've only heard it a couple of times so I don't remember exactly how he says it yet, but you can tell he is intending her name.
Ally continually surprises me with what she knows in the way of numbers, letters, and colors.
She is getting very good at putting things together. "If it rains, it will help the flowers grow."
She has pretty good hand-eye coordination, I'm sure due to playing on Auntie JoAnn and Auntie Martha's smartphones.
She remembers a lot - and don't you dare change your mind about something that she remembers.
She is turning into a Little Girl. She loves wearing clips in her hair, tights, and dresses.
Favorite colors are pink and purple.
She wants her panties to match what she is wearing, either in pattern (stripes, hearts, etc.) or color - and sometimes both!
She can throw masterful tantrums when she wants to.
She still hates to go to sleep and every night is at least an hour-long battle to get her to stay in bed and go to sleep.
She gives wonderful cuddles and will still say "Noo-noo" for "Love You"
She wants to make Jacob happy when he cries and will sing to him and give him hugs.
She will stamp her foot and tell you that she is mad or sad.
A hug and a kiss will still fix just about anything that ails her.
My Man aka Ernest
Just because we haven't had anything about him on here lately.... He's still my favorite, of course, and I thank my Heavenly Father every day for him. He loves our kids and takes time to play with them. He'll stay up with them on the weekends so I can take a nap, or he'll put Ally to bed so I can get a little bit more sleep. He's been working a lot of overtime again lately so our time with him is precious, but that just makes me appreciate him even more. He makes me smile, comforts me, and makes me want to be better. I hope I continue to do the same for him!
Mr. Jacob Has a Birthday
And another one bites the dust. So they say. We did our normal junk food dinner for New Year's Eve, and got the kids to bed at a reasonable hour. Ernest and I cuddled in bed and watched a movie - something which rarely happens any more. The movie ended around 11:30 so we turned on "Dick Clark's Rocking New Year's Eve" or whatever it is called. I remember it being much better when I was younger. We mostly talked to each other and then I finally turned out my light just as the ball was dropping. I am not made for midnight anymore!
The kids let us sleep in a little bit the next day, and then it was off to 11:30 church. I LOVED this time.....before we had kids. Now I prefer morning session. Oh well...just 12 months and then we'll switch back.
January 2nd is quite an event in our family. Our niece Morgan was born on the 2nd, Hannah & Ryan go married on the 2nd, and little Jacob Ernest Kelso joined our family on the 2nd. I spent most of the day on Monday making Jacob's cake. I really want to take lessons when the kids are bigger. For now, any training I have comes from watching Food Network Challenge. I just used a cake mix for the cake, did Chocolate Lover's Frosting (on the back of the cocoa can), and Marshmallow Fondant. Voila!
Is it really mine?
Finally dove in face first. Once he got a few bits he let his hands help him out.
Sugar rush! Once he got started he loved the cake. I was afraid we'd waited too long to take it away and that he'd be sick, but he did alright.
Little man is now 1 year old!
The kids let us sleep in a little bit the next day, and then it was off to 11:30 church. I LOVED this time.....before we had kids. Now I prefer morning session. Oh well...just 12 months and then we'll switch back.
January 2nd is quite an event in our family. Our niece Morgan was born on the 2nd, Hannah & Ryan go married on the 2nd, and little Jacob Ernest Kelso joined our family on the 2nd. I spent most of the day on Monday making Jacob's cake. I really want to take lessons when the kids are bigger. For now, any training I have comes from watching Food Network Challenge. I just used a cake mix for the cake, did Chocolate Lover's Frosting (on the back of the cocoa can), and Marshmallow Fondant. Voila!
Singing Happy Birthday. Miss Ally was a pro with this one.
Hmmm...looking forward to this!
Little man is now 1 year old!
Stats: 23 lbs, 29 inches tall.
Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell....Drive?
I had purchased a Groupon for Jingle Bell Drive a the beginning of December. It was good through December 31, so we'd have no trouble using it, right? Well, mostly. We used it on December 30. JoAnn and Martha came over and we all loaded into their van and took a drive down to the Great Mall. Jingle Bell Drive was thousands of lights in the forms of figures and a tunnel that you drove through in the parking lot. Not as big as I expected, but since I purchased the entrance fee as a Groupon it was alright.
Ally and Jacob LOVED the lights. Everywhere you looked there was a different display. The pictures didn't come out well since the flash was off and we didn't stop the vehicle, but you get the idea.
Ally and Jacob LOVED the lights. Everywhere you looked there was a different display. The pictures didn't come out well since the flash was off and we didn't stop the vehicle, but you get the idea.
We went to Sheridan's afterward and got their Candy Cane Pothole (so good) and then drove around and looked at a few lights. Jacob started getting pretty antsy so we headed home. We want to try looking at more lights next year.
It's Christmas in Kansas City
So, I know this is about a month late, but better late than never, right?
Christmas at our house was a quiet affair this year. JoAnn and Martha went to St Louis to visit Martha's family, and the rest of my siblings all did their own thing, which meant we got to as well. And I loved it. I like our big family gatherings too, but it's really nice to get to have time with just our family and get our own traditions going.
Christmas Eve we got both kids to bed at a decent time, and Ally still wasn't quite sure that "Christmas-time" meant that she got to open her presents. Santa came fairly early and left his gifts all set up in the living room.
Since Christmas fell on Sunday this year, Ally played with her dollhouse a little bit before church (since it was set up and unwrapped) but everything else sat until after church. We went to Rob & Jane's ward for Sacrament since they participated in the program - Jane played the piano, Lucy played the viola, and Sophie and Jessie sang - for one song. They did a great job.
After Church we had a quick lunch and put the kids down for naps. We finally opened gifts around 5:00 that night. It was a lot of fun. Jacob just wanted to sit in my lap and watch, sometimes playing with a toy. Ally loved passing gifts out and she was willing to help open everything. She had gone out with Auntie JoAnn and Auntie Martha the week before and bought gifts for all of us too, she had a great time getting in on the "giving" side as well.
A very low-key Christmas, but so nice. Ernest and I were also off of work the day after Christmas so we had another day to stay home and play with the kids.
Oh, we didn't do a Christmas dinner. I had the fixings for it, but we just never had time to get it made. Oh well.
Christmas at our house was a quiet affair this year. JoAnn and Martha went to St Louis to visit Martha's family, and the rest of my siblings all did their own thing, which meant we got to as well. And I loved it. I like our big family gatherings too, but it's really nice to get to have time with just our family and get our own traditions going.
Christmas Eve we got both kids to bed at a decent time, and Ally still wasn't quite sure that "Christmas-time" meant that she got to open her presents. Santa came fairly early and left his gifts all set up in the living room.
After Church we had a quick lunch and put the kids down for naps. We finally opened gifts around 5:00 that night. It was a lot of fun. Jacob just wanted to sit in my lap and watch, sometimes playing with a toy. Ally loved passing gifts out and she was willing to help open everything. She had gone out with Auntie JoAnn and Auntie Martha the week before and bought gifts for all of us too, she had a great time getting in on the "giving" side as well.
A very low-key Christmas, but so nice. Ernest and I were also off of work the day after Christmas so we had another day to stay home and play with the kids.
Oh, we didn't do a Christmas dinner. I had the fixings for it, but we just never had time to get it made. Oh well.
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