More of Evie and Simon

These pictures of my brother Scott show his raw emotion over the Cowboy's defeat in Sunday's play-off game. Matt was sitting near Scott in a chair, strumming the guitar. Scott commented that he was jealous of Matt's indifference. I think Matt was more indifferent because we didn't watch the entire game. For part of the game, we were driving, and Matt was just listening to the game on the radio. So, it was easier to not be as engaged. Besides, we kept stopping the game to talk about pies...long story. Maybe I can explain later.


Isn't Evie the cutest, with her little, balled up fists? I often see Simon trying to open up her hands.























More raw emotion from Scott.


















Evie on her blanket for "tummy time." Matt was keeping her entertained by doing push-ups next to her. Appropriate, since she had on her "I Love Daddy" bib.


I think sometimes, what exactly do I do all day? I really don't sit. I've only recently began reading fiction again, and only because I discovered I can do that and ride an exercise bike at the same time. So, I think, what exactly do I do? And then, I realized...I change sheets. I had a day the other day where I felt like all I did, all day, was change sheets. Given, Evie's are easy to change, but, oh, how often they need changing.

I emailed a friend today that I realized yesterday at 5, that while I had given two baths that day, I myself was neither showered or dressed. Sad, but at least that isn't everyday's story. And I know that there will be a time when I yearn for these days of diapers, spit-up, and other child offerings. I am really happy with my kiddos, and if need be, please remind me.

I wrote a couple of cards to people today, and I kept thinking of the scripture from Nehemiah, "The joy of the Lord is my strength." Lots of truth in that short statement.

Simon helped me sort through digital pictures today and send some to Snapfish (our first time!) We came across a picture of my mom's mom, and Simon gushed, "Oh, that's my (pause as he though) Grandma....She helps me eat crackers with Alex." Sweet.

So, I called my dad today and he asked me how Simon was progressing with toilet training. We've had #1 covered for months now, but #2 hasn't come as easy. I'm thinking Dad might have been stuck with one of Simon's 'sleep accidents' last weekend ... otherwise I can't figure out why he would ask :) He had some good thoughts on what to do to help Simon, though.

Currently, we are withholding all children videos and public television from Simon, not as punishment, but as a REWARD for when he does have a success. However, I am feeling a little punished by the absence of a quiet praise baby dvd for Simon while I try and nurse or calm Evie down. I think I spent no less than 3 hours in the hall bath with Simon yesterday, hoping for success. We resorted to a 'popcorn party with raisins' (FIBER) and to various calisthenics, hoping to kick up the success opportunities, but... I was destined for lessons in patience insntead.

Simon saw something in the kitchen while he was helping me, I think it was knives or scissors. Simon said, "That's danger. That's what Pops said. He's Ken. He's my friend."

Simon was helping me make hummus on Monday and I said, "We need garlic." I went to get the garlic and then saw that Simon had already pulled out the garlic press. "We need this," Simon said. "For spagettys." Then I said, "Okay, now we need Cumin and salt." "IT'S IN THE PANTRY," Simon said very loudly and excitedly as he ran for the pantry...."It's in there somewhere..."

When I went to the pantry, Simon had been sidetracked with his toy recorder we keep in there. (Weird, I know, but I tell him to go to the pantry when he 'needs to be loud.' so he can talk/yell/play his recorder. He looked at me and said, "I need to be loud."

You might be wondering how well hummus went over with SImon. Well, I am in the market for a recipe, but the one we tried was okay. Simon got a little down in his belly, as we would hold the crackers and pretzels in ransom until he did eat a bite.

Matt and I are fairly exhausted these days. Here is evidence of that:
The other day Matt said, "I need hangers. How do I get some?" Now, normally, that would sound rude to some, but really, it wasn't. I think Matt was just thinking aloud. And, normally, I would comment that I would get some for him, but for some reason, I was also so tired and genuinely wanted to tell him how to get some. I replied, "Can you go through the clothes in the closet and find some hangers that used to have clothes but are now empty." I'm pretty sure that is verbatim and I KNOW it sounds like the whole dialogue was kind of testy, but it wasn't! I only remember the conversation because it was SO COMICAL. After I said what I said, I realized how silly it sounded, to really explain to an adult how to find hangers, and Matt and just laughed and laughed. This is proof we are sleep-deprived.

I was also sent a link to a parody of Carrie Underwood's song, "Jesus take the wheel." If you want a laugh, google, "Cletus take the Reel." I think it is either on youtube or godtube, but if you google it, you'll get a link. If it is not funny, then it is further proof that we are sleep-deprived, because we thought it was pretty funny.

More proof is that we have, on several occasions, had conversations about pies. Matt decided it would be great if every meal could be in pie form and we have begun a creative banter for ideas. My completely sane and rational idea would be discarded by Matt, though he would love my suggestions that I thought were outrageous. For example:
Amy: "Okay, how about a pie with a yeasty crust, kind of like a Sister Schubert's roll. The inside would be a mixture of sweet potato casserole, ham, and green bean casserole." (keep in mind I was not serious)
Matt: "Yeah, that sounds good! You're getting good at this. Now, we would need to take the sweet potatoes, green beans, and ham and make some kind of paste with it."
Matt: "Okay, I have a great one. Cornbread crust with pinto beans and orange inside. All together, in a paste. The oranges would add a different flavor to it. Oh wait, what about this...Tortilla crust, and the inside would be avocados and oranges."
Amy: "That sounds disgusting."
Matt: "No, no, you have no imagination. What about a healthy crust made out of mashed up avocadoes and potatoes and flour, and the inside could be a layer of bananas, followed by some potatoes, then a layer of black beans, and then repeat the layers, with sour cream on top."
Amy: "Okay, okay, I have one. What about a healthy crust made with whole wheat flour. Then, for the filling, I cut up apples and cook them just a little with brown sugar, splenda, and cinnamon and ..."
Matt: interrupting, "No, that sounds like apple pie."
....And what would be wrong with a sensible pie?

So, we have, on one occasion, completely missed our exit on the highway and driven WAY OFF of our route, because we were distracted by this crazy pie banter. What you have read is merely an excerpt of many, many conversations centered around pie possibilities.

I posted this blog a bit ago, but am going to add this 'live' update....This just in, as Matt just walked in from the grocery store. (He and Simon stopped by Kroger enroute home from church)
Simon walked in the door, bearing a bouquet of flowers for me...
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Matt: "Look what I bought."
I admit, I'm thinking, ice-cream.
Amy: "What?"
Matt: shows amy a can of apple pie filling in a can.
Matt exclaims, "I'm going to make a pie! I'm thinking about maybe making it tonight if we have all the right ingredients."
Amy looks skeptical, as it is 9:15 p.m.
Matt: "What? I'm going to bed at midnight now. It's my new schedule. I"m taking advantage of more daytime now."
Amy: "I'm confused. Apple Pie. So conventional. Beside, we don't have any crusts."
Matt: "I'm going to make the crust from scratch. I'm experimenting with the crust, then I'll work on the filling."
Matt is at this point looking at a cookbook as I type this right now.
Amy: "So, you're really going to make a pie."
Matt: "Thinking about it."
Matt is now taking off Simon's shoes and directing him in his bed routine while in his spare seconds trying to find a recipe for pie crusts. This is so odd.

What is wrong with us? We are so tired yet keep doing more than we need to. Example: Matt and his pies. Example: I am trying to organize our closet and ordered this weird thing to help fold clothes more neatly. I think our thought filter is a little off.

Don't forget to google, "Cletus take the Reel." So much sleep needed here.

Ooh, now Matt is looking at the cookbook again, trying to find pies.
Matt: "Why can't I find pies?"
Amy: "Here, let me help." (looking in index) "Here they are. Lattice.."
Matt: interrupts, "Lattice, that's what I want."
Amy: "Um, okay,"
We find the recipe, apparently there is a whole sections of pies and tarts.
Matt: upon seeing recipe, "Oh, this is easy." not sure why he said that, except that maybe b/c there were only a few ingredients listed. "What's shortening?"
Matt:"Oh, this looks hard. There's so much written down. Oh, we have one of those!"
Amy: "What do we have?"
Matt: "A pastry blender."
Time passes.
Matt: "This is so easy. All right, I'm going to make one."
Matt: "I'm going to exercise while it bakes." ironic