Urgent

I open the bathroom door after several minutes of frenzied banging from the other side to find this and a delivery of grave news: Connecticut is missing from the United States magnet puzzle.

Some things simply cannot wait for nature's course.

JEM

Make-up 101

When one has no daughters one must make certain concessions.

Atticus

This is Atticus (aliases: Abacus, @, Flavicus, Fluffernutter, Ace). As you can see, he is taller than a fire hydrant.

His first year was a little rough. “Why?” you ask. “Because he had baby acid reflux,” I say. Baby acid reflux, for anyone who hasn't had the pleasure, is this thing which makes cute little babies puke all the time. Like, all the time. Like daily massive laundry loads and minimum three costume changes for three hours of church for him and anyone within a 3-foot radius of him. Ever had a baby puke down your back in public? I have, lots! And so many cans of carpet cleaner. So, so many. I can't imagine it was pleasant for him, either, as his disposition for his first 6 months or so will attest.

But we all made it through, and in the last year, little Captain Barf (as Jethro dubbed him) really came into his own. (And he stopped barfing. That's important to note.) 

He's determined and stubborn and a ham and a half. He has excellent comedic timing, particularly with regard to flatulence, and seems to know it. He's snuggly, loves animals, especially dogs, and tickles. Also, as the younger brother of Jethro, he has a profound appreciation for cars. He's so dang cute right now I just want to eat him most of the time.

He has started saying some words lately. His favorites include: tree, cookie, bug, car, ba-ba (binky), cracker, fish, tractor, squirrel, and of course, Jethro. He seems to have an innate sense of rhythm that has been noted by others, namely the lead guitar player of the classic rock band that played at our block party this summer, and the woman who does singing time with the nursery kids at church. You may call it the gift of groove. I do. I have high hopes of him being my little drummer, and then I think, why on earth would you be dreaming of having a drummer under your roof? Both my brothers are phenomenal drummers, so I know well the hours of racket involved. But I get such a kick out of watching them, and any good drummer, for that matter, that I think it'll be worth it. I'll just get some of those noise canceling headphones. And I'll get some for the neighbors, too. 

JEM

The resurrection

And then ... almost 7 months later ... I resurfaced. 

Several things had changed in my world. Nearest to my heart was that my baby had turned into a little boy.

 ... who had learned how to draw smiley faces ...

 ... and developed an obsession with cars that borders on the clinical (we'll delve into this later).

His hair had also turned into the most beautiful hair that any human has ever had. I'm sure there's a psychological term for coveting something that you yourself created.

 Also, my darling husband had lost nearly 30 pounds. SlimFast testimonial pending.

 And then he had parted ways with his beard after 2 years of loyal companionship.

 As a family we had become the proud owners of a 2004 BMW 325i sport wagon in alpine white, and I had discovered, for the first time in my life, the ecstasy that can indeed exist behind the wheel of a fine automobile.

We had enjoyed many adventures. Too many to explore here.

 Including, just last weekend, a solar eclipse over the Pacific Ocean.

And apparently, I had also done gone and got myself pregnant.

Right around Dec. 9, 2012, our merry little band will be joined by another, and Jethro's got all his money on a girl. 

JEM

Sci-fi for every guy (and gal)

This is so dang awesome. I can't wait to put it to work.

http://m.box.net/shared/static/a6omcl2la0ivlxsn3o8m.jpg

JEM

This has to up my coolness by at least 3 percent

OK, so normally the celebrity Mormon thing really doesn't mean anything to me, and usually I think the obsession with it makes us look a little needy. That said, I'm totally geeking out about this "I'm a Mormon" that my dad told me about, which probably means I'm the last person on Earth to see it.

My other Brandon Flowers connections:
— He's in the same ward as my college roommate (hi, Chelsea).
— He graduated from Jake's high school, but they missed each other by one year.
— I've liked the Killers for a long time.
— I've driven by Sam's Town on a number of occasions.

So pretty much, we're, like, best friends. He'll call me for a jam session any day now. I'm just sure of it.



JEM

The Trekster

For anyone who has ever questioned Jake's and my abilities as parents:

Your concerns are justified.



JEM