"That Book Doesn't Talk"

Recently while watching TV, I saw a commercial for the following product. The talking book is tested by a line of kids who really enjoy the neato gadget that talks to them in character voices when they point a magic wand device at words on a page. They are testing this alongside a "regular" book of the non-speaking variety. The company mascot (a cheerful frog) asks the final kid, who is looking at the regular book with a dismayed look on his face, if he is missing something. The boy says, "That book doesn't talk!"

This commercial disturbs me on so many levels. I never really had a problem with talking books until I saw this ad, but I am now boycotting all books that so much as utter a squeak at my child.

I want to teach my children that books do talk. The don't talk in character voices and they don't tell stories about Sponge Bob or Dora. They tell stories about Prince Caspian, Achilles, and tortises and hares. My kids will learn that they get to make up the voices, and the characters and the landscapes all on their own (did I just say I want voices in my kids' heads?).

I'm not saying that I want my kid to sit through The Illiad at age 3 and understand it all. I'm all for finding children's versions of the great books and starting my kids on those. Starting them with picture books and simple words. I want them to be read aloud to at the youngest age, hearing the stories told by Tolkein and Lewis and learning to use their imaginations.

I don't ever want to hear my kids complain that their books don't talk.

You May Have Noticed..

That my blog has recently taken on a blue-ish hue.

That's because we found out today that Ethan is going to have a little brother!

I really thought that this baby might be a girl since my pregnancy has been significantly different than last time. But I am super glad, since they are so close together, that they are going to be brothers!

And, you know, this saves me the money that I might have spent on a pink shopping spree!

The only downside is that Steve and I have the toughest time with boy names. But I'm sure we can come up with something both of us like in the next 5 months, right?

At the Pumpkin Patch

At the pumpkin patch
Originally uploaded by Steve Bremer

Ethan really enjoyed our time at the pumpkin patch on Saturday. He went on his very first hay ride, and helped us pick out a good pumpkin for carving. He spent a lot of time playing in front of this old wagon. He kept looking into the center part of the wheel (where his hand is) to see what was in there.

Also, I have the best husband ever! I had the absolute worst craving for a Big Mac tonight. I know it's not healthy, I know it is full of fat and stuff that I shouldn't eat, and I don't normally get pregnancy cravings, but here it is. He's out right now getting me a Big Mac. I told him to feel free to get himself an ice cream sundae for his trouble. :)

Reunited Again!

Well, I'm behind on posting (what else is new?), but my wonderful husband is home from his far off travels and our family is together again! Not 48 hours after his return to Washington, we were on our way to California for my friend Melanie's wedding, which is where the above picture was taken. It was so beautiful and such a nice time for the three of us to reconnect as a family! As a bonus my mom came along to nanny for Ethan while I did all the girly bridesmaid/wedding things. Melanie was a gorgeous bride and I'm so happy for her and her new hubby! Newlyweds make my heart happy!

Ethan also got a haircut while we were in California, and not a moment too soon. I love his long hair and curls, but he is such a little man now! I cried a little when his dad brought him back from the barber.

The pregnancy is going well! I'm almost halfway and still feeling pretty small. I'm enjoying feeling small while I can though, because I know in a couple months I will feel anything BUT small. I've been feeling the baby move for a little over a week now, so that is nice. It's just reassuring to get a little thump now and again so that I know all is still good in there. Our "big" ultrasound is on the 28th and all indications are that we will be finding out the flavor this time around. That decision, however, is completely up to my dear husband. I will keep everyone updated!

Birthday Boy!

One
Originally uploaded by jodisue

I am a week late crafting this post, but we have been busy with family in town to celebrate this milestone, so here it is today!

I cannot believe Ethan is one year old. I can remember so vividly the day I met him. It was a day of hard work, but oh so worth it. We waited two years for God to bless us with a baby, and then all of a sudden, 9 months later he was in my arms. It was unbelievable. I still marvel at how God

My Sweet Bud, my long-awaited babe, I pray for you every day, that you will grow to love the Lord with all your heart. I cannot wait for you to meet your little brother or sister and become fast friends. You are so silly and funny already; I can't wait to see more and more of your personality.

I can't wait until you are old enough to sing with me, the song we have heard together every Sunday since you were one week old:

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Here is the year in (a few) photos:

Just born:

First smile on camera:

The famous Flat Smile:

Eating birthday cake on Saturday:

More birthday photos are here!

Butter, Butter and MORE Butter!

I made these today for our church's monthly fellowship dinner (substituted Sprite for Mountain Dew). They were so decadent, and yet easy peasy to make I wanted to pass them on. Also, the Pioneer Woman has many other fabulous recipes that are not at all good for you, but taste insanely good. While our bodies are temples not to be abused and we are not to be gluttonous, I do think God created food for us to enjoy, especially on the Sabbath when it is appropriate to feast to celebrate the Lord's day.

Ein, Uno, One, Odin

For those of you waiting to know, I am having just one baby. Whatever my doctor saw on the first ultrasound two weeks ago was gone by the time I had this scan. I never really felt as though it was twins, but it was sort of neat to think of the possibilities for a couple of weeks.

For those of you who didn't know that I've been waiting for these results, the doctor saw a little "bubble" when she was doing my dating ultrasound and thought there may be another baby behind the one she could definitely see. So she sent me to radiology where they have bigger and better machines and there was clearly only one baby. Double blessings would have been fun, but I am happy with one as well.

I will try to get an ultrasound pic or two scanned in in the next couple of days.