The Beginning of the End

Ok, I just finished the first episode of LOST. I was very happy with it. I feel like we are making progress. I know there are still questions to be answered but it feels like some of the pieces are coming together. So, let’s start with what we know. Hurley referred to being called the "Oceanic Six". I am assuming those are the six people who get off the island. We know it is:

1. Jack
2. Kate
3. Hurley
4. The person whose funeral Jack went to last season
5. ?
6. ?

I think it was Ben's funeral and I think Sawyer got off the island and that is who Kate was referring to. So my list is:

1. Jack
2. Kate
3. Hurley
4. Ben
5. Sawyer
6. ?

From what Hurley was saying, it sounds like they left people on the island in order to save themselves. Also, when Jack visited Hurley in the mental institution...what was Jack wondering if Hurley was going to tell? And who needs Hurley (when Charlie visits Hurley)? I am fairly certain that Charlie is really dead but I was so thrilled to see him in the episode.

Now, Jacob. I think Jacob = "the island". I think he can take many forms. I think depending on who is having the thoughts that is the shape Jacob takes. For example, he is Jack's dad for Jack, the horse for Kate, etc. Here is my question...is Jacob that big black scary thing that confronted Eko? Does Jacob turn into that persons inner demons? What does it mean that Hurley can control his vision of Jacob?

So who do you think are the Oceanic Six? And what secrets are they hiding? Lastly, who is the guy who is dropped from the helicopter? Does Jack know him?

Update: I just found this on a LOST message board:
If you guys dont know, the parashootist is the same guy that told bens dad to join the Dharma Initiative.

That same guy was on the bench, with blood in his nose to fake his death, when Ben planned the execution of th 40 dharma initiative members.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think that guy fooled ben in to thinking the mass execution actually worked but is now back to finish the job....Killing the Hostile/others...........Not sure though

Hmmmm, interesting!

The return of LOST

I watched last season’s finale last night. I am so excited for tonight’s premiere. It has been so long that I forgot how much I was looking forward to the short. I will say that if you have never watched the show, now is not the time to begin. You need to watch the first three seasons or you will have no idea what is going on. Hey, I have watched the first three seasons and sometimes I have no idea what is going on. But Erin and I always have fun filling in the holes for each other.

So, are you watching it tonight?

Free Razor

Since my mother has been getting her free plants on a regular basis, I wanted to pass another freebie on to you! There is a link to a free Schick Quattro Titanium razor here.

Miss Kelly is getting a big fat raise!!!

Baboo has been found! Who knew to look behind a stack of white paper? Kelly was helping Stella get set up to paint and, low and behold, who is back there?? Baboo!! Stella was so thrilled. She threw her arms around Kelly and began to tear up. Then, I teared up and Kelly teared up. Baboo is back!!!

Compare and Contrast

The twins personalities have always been so different. At home, Stella can be so outgoing and tend to show off for people. Thomas, on the other hand, is more quiet and reserved. Stella will let everyone know when she does something...she loves the praise. I will almost worry about Thomas and then he will do something and act like he has been doing it forever; he doesn't need the recognition. It happened with crawling, walking, talking, etc.

The twins sang at church this morning. Stella was ready...dressed up with her lip gloss on. Thomas said he didn't want to sing. Now...check out the video. Stella is distracted and Thomas is singing the entire song with hands motions!!! (They are right in front!)

Thank you Brad & Drew

Brad and Drew brought over the twins Christmas presents and they went right to them this morning when they woke up.



Aren't they cute? The kids, yes. But the lion and tiger too. The kids can actually sit on them and pretend to ride them around. So thoughtful!!!

Thank you Brad and Drew!!

Universal Trip

We recently went to Universal Studios with our goofy friends Brad and Drew. Don't believe me, take a look:



Goofy monkeys climbing in the trees:





And locked up in their cage:





The weather was gloomy and sprinkling so the lines were not long at all. We even rode the Jaws ride. I can remember being on this ride with my Dad in California when I was young.







Stella has had such a hard week with the loss of her Baboo we had to make sure to take in the Barney show.



He even sang her favorite song!



And don't let this one get stuck in your head!! Ha!!

R.I.P

Baboo

2004-2008

Baboo

Check out some video of Stella and Baboo. She is signing "more" and saying "baboo".



Awwwww!

Baboo

I e-mailed Carter's and this was their response:

Hi Amy,

I am very sorry to tell you that I can't be of much help. My best suggestion would be to try eBay or a web site called bestbabyshower.com. Carter's introduces new stock every 6 months and what is left from the previous 6 months becomes clearanced out & is discontinued. Good luck in your search.

Sincerely,
Sue
Consumer Affairs

What!! I am sure I am not the only mother who has a child that lost their "Baboo". Shouldn't their be an emergency stash somewhere???

Wanted

This pink soft Carter's bear.

Answers to the name "Baboo".

Last seen yesterday morning.

Name your price. We are willing to pay any amount so that little owner will take a nap.

I am serious.

Faking it

Without getting in to it, I had a terrible weekend.

Terrible.

Terrible.

I have been faking my way through the days. Work; smile. Home; smile.

Faking it.

Then the kids wanted to go for a bike ride this afternoon. We all we went and decided we would try the semi-new bike trail that goes all the way around our lake. We stopped half way around. We all sat on a little step. The kids laid in the grass and looked up in the clouds. Stella saw a football and a hot dog shape. We all looked. Tony chased the twins around. "Mama save me...hold me tight". Then, my smile was real.

I do love my life.

Happy Birthday Jennifer!

Last one...

I swear I will do some work when I am in my office. This is the last picture I am posting (for now)!



The twins were 11 months in this picture and they thought they were so silly in the same crib.

Happy Birthday Gigi!

Happy Birthday to you!!









We love you and hope you are having a great day. Come over soon!

My Bunny

I really have so much work to be doing but instead I am going through old video and pictures. Stella has always been such a tactile child. She mixes her food together and loves to be very messy; touching everything! Here are some retro video of The Bunny in action:

Bubba Yub Yub

My friend Erin had some cute pictures of baby Sam at 3 weeks and then again at 17 months sleeping in the same position. Her post made me think of Thomas. Thomas does this thing where is he always playing with his hair and I wanted to share:



Although he does look a bit cracked out in this one:



















I could go on and on...

These cats are sure making themselves at home!

Aren't we still looking for good homes for them???

Daddy Day Care

Even walking in the mall to Monkey Joe's can be fun:











Look....snow!







And then back at the beach:

Mom for hire

I have been struggling with being a working mom lately. I struggle with working. Period.

My job used to have more flexibility and even though I was full time, I did not have to leave the house except for two days a week. It was that way until the kids were about a year and a half. Then I couldn't get everything done, so it was three days out of the house, then four, and now five.

I hate five days out of the house.

I do have some flexibility but it is not the same. I find myself bringing more work home and have work hanging over my head when it is not done. So, I have been struggling at work lately.

To make matters worse, this past summer on my annual evaluation, it was brought to my attention that I did not always attend faculty meetings (held at 8am). It did not lower my overall evaluation but I felt the pressure to attend these meetings. So, we have faculty meetings, clinical issues meetings, undergraduate committee meetings. 8am. I think it is nearly impossible for me to be anywhere at 8am. I actually do not see this getting any easier either. The kids get up anywhere between 7 and 8 and when they see me, they need to cuddle and can get upset if I am hurrying out the door. So, my alternative is to get up and out before they even get up. However, then I have started my day without even seeing my children.

Not good.

I was and am struggling.

A couple of months ago, there was a discussion at a faculty meeting about changing the time of the meeting. I support the change...9am...good. Noon...good. Other faculty members were very defensive and it took a strange turn towards the group of new moms (there are three of us who are younger and have young children). Everyone else either has grown children or never had children.

Comments like "It is not my fault that you had children" and "When my son was younger, I had to drop him at daycare... I did what I needed to do" were said and the meeting spun terribly out of control. I am still not over that meeting and finally feel ready to write about it.

How in the world I am supposed to work; struggle at work under all this pressure?? It is no one "fault" that I had children. That is our miracle. Twins, at that. We are lucky! I am hating my job and am so resentful at our chair who let it get this bad.

Aren't things supposed to be better in the workplace for us? I don't think mothers need special consideration....well, actually I do. Can't people at work recognize that I have the most important job in the world right now. I can focus at work and do my job but aren't I allowed to admit that my mind and my heart are still at home. Don't they want my children raised with good structure and attention so they (hopefully!) become productive adults?? I do not get it.

I feel like I am not supposed to acknowledge that I am a mother, when in truth, that is what defines me the most right now.

Is this what I have to look forward to? I am the type of person is always sees the bright side of things but I am not sure. I think working mothers get the shit end of the stick. Yes, shit not short.

I need work that will make lots of money, no one to bother me, allows me to stay home and require very little work. Any ideas?

It's hard to work with an entourage

No, I don't mean that I have a manager or my lawyer accompanying me to all my events. I don't even mean that I am ever swarmed by paparazzi. I do, however, walk around with an entourage. It is comprised of both children and animals.

For example, this morning I decided to cook a big breakfast for us. I am in the kitchen scrambling eggs and making toast. I turn around in my very small kitchen and I have Stella underfoot. I hop over her only to land on Blu. I am shooing kittens off the counter and breaking up two kiddos wrestling. I can not take a step without my entourage.

Another example is, occasionally I need to use the potty. So I am enjoying my 20 seconds alone in the bathroom when my husband pops in to get his contact case, next Thomas is bringing me a truck with a door that needs to be popped on, Stella asking me to put a sock on. Ahhhh! Can't a girl pee in peace??

I know that there will be a time when our house is quiet and I will miss kids underfoot, but right now I do need to find a secret hiding spot in our house where no one can find me.

Great Deal at Lowe's

Thrify Florida Mom posted about this great deal at Lowe's and I wanted to pass it on too. The coupon found here is for $10 dollars off any houseplant at Lowe's. This offer expires on January 31, 2008 so hurry in and get your new houseplant.

We need some for our porch area so I sent Tony to see what they had. He said the selection was not great...probably because we had that extremely cold weather a week ago (well, cold for Florida). But he found this beautiful hanging plant. Cost = free. Sounds like a great deal to me. I am going to print off a couple more coupons and try a different Lowe's.

Return of the Diva

Ms Carol and Mr Bill gave this outfit to Stella but it was a little big. Now, it fits perfectly.



Here we go again!

Yep, still cute

Just because I have 4,349 other things I should be doing...

Thomas asks to ride his new bike every day...first thing in the morning and right after his nap. I took some video of him peddling:



Stella and Thomas had so much fun painting after their naps too. They decided on dolphins and mermaids as their subjects today:



Here are the end results:











And in case I had any hopes of turning our new screened in porch in to anything other than a play area...



Nope, it is an art gallery...



...car parking lot...



...and bed and breakfast for Uncle Blu.