Tada!

Yeah!

I finally figured it out. Well kinda. There is no way I would be smart enough (yet) to actually write code for my own blog template...

But luckily, I found a cute template that I kind of like that I was able to use. I actually liked her other templates quite a bit better, but they kept giving me some bx error messages, and I couldn't really fix 'em because I don't know anything about code other than copy and paste (I even know the short cuts--impressive, right?).

This update should get me ready for the real NaBloPoMo, which begins tomorrow. Don't you think the new template is inspirational, and surely with a cute page like that I won't run out of things to say for each day next month...

Sobs...

Jeff and I joke that once you get close enough to a popular destination, like an airport or national park, there are "stupid signs" and all you have to do is follow the stupid signs and you will get where you need to go.

I figured if I wanted to change my blogger template there would be some stupid signs to follow and all would be well. Now I have deleted a whole bunch of stuff, seen a ton of error messages, and I am currently scared to try anything else, for fear of losing my entire blog history.

If I'm not here tomorrow, cry for me... and then find me a good web designer who works on the cheap (aka: free), so I can have my sanity restored.

In the shower...

Do you ever think of a great idea for a blog post while you are in the shower? And then, start planning out how you are going to write it and forget if you have washed your hair yet? And then while washing your hair (for possibly the second time), realize that would make a funny observation post and forget the other idea you had?

Oh, you don't... I was just curious.

Have You Seen These Posts?

So a couple days almost a week ago, I promised Traci I would post some links to some of my favorite blogs that day. I still haven't done it, so I guess the time has arrived. When I was talking to her I realized I hadn't updated the list of blogs I read and occasionally comment on. Then there was a new way to list blogs, and I realized I don't read all the ones I had listed before... So basically a big list of excuses, when all you really want is the reading assignment suggestion.

A few favorites:
Seriously So Blessed-- A total Mormon Mommy Blog satire. It is written by a grad student who attends the University of Utah and she is a relatively new mom, but is keeping her identity a secret all while she rakes in the readers. Check out today's post and this one from a couple weeks back.

What About Mom--I have been following the life of Jane for quite a while (like 6 months and that is forever in blog-time). I originally saw her comment on someone else's site about singing Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam and I figured she was a Mormon Mommy Blogger and I went to check out her blog. She is really talented. Anyway, her last three posts have made me giggle and I would love to make ya'all laugh too, so you should go check 'em out. In order of my personal giggle factor, The one dish towel day, Throughly unworthy emotions, and What's in your cupholder.

The last bit I will note today is California Proposition 8. Proposition 8 defines marriage as a union between a man and woman. I fully support this measure for moral and religious reasons. Over the past few weeks, a friend of mine has been doing a great job posting about Proposition 8 and the implications of it on her site. My sister in law also sent me this link to a site an individual put together. Or you can go to the Protect Marriage site and see some of the ads and implications there.

Wordless Wednesday--Riding Off Into The Sunset

A Wordless Wednesday post at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Ahoy Landlubbers!

Everybody is happy!

Windblown baby!

In front of Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey there is the Monterey Maritime and History Musuem. We had about 30 minutes to look around before babies got bored (and pooped, literally) but it was pretty interesting while we were there. On the way out there was a ship that we paused to take pictures at. The girls loved it.

Foot Muffs in Action

When we bought this stroller, the previous owners gave us all the accessories, including these foot muffs. I took them and thought I would probably not be likely to use them. After all, they were probably made for people in really cold places like New England or Utah in the dead of winter (or during homecoming weekend as I heard the first snow arrived last week). Actually though, they were helpful because the babies could not kick out of them like they could a traditional blanket. And while I thought to take the muffs on our journey to the coast because it could be the only chance to use them, they will probably become a regular accessory on our fall/winter walks.

Monterey

Grandpa Fast came for a visit last week and at first he suggested going to Monterey. He later tried to change his mind saying he didn't know how the babies would do. Jeff, Shelly and I tried to reassure him that all would be well, babies would sleep in the car and it would indeed be a lovely trip. We were right only on the last count. It was a fun trip, but sleep was definitely lacking. It turns out when babies are face to face with their mama's they see no good reason to sleep. So the trip to and from included crying and sadness, but for some reason, even with the small amount of sleep, they were both so well behaved while there. For us, given the choice between a happy baby in the car, or a happy baby in a restaurant and museum, we'll take the happy baby in public. What can we say? We like to keep up good appearances!

The wind was pretty intense, but it made the ocean gorgeous. After we left the wharf, we drove down cannery row and then drove along the coast for a ways just before seventeen mile drive. The ocean had this really pretty green, aqua, seaglass color that you can kind of see in the middle of this picture.

Mobile

Callie has been crawling like a crazy baby for over a month now. She is also more adventurous and willing to go out on her own, which keeps me on my toes and keeps all the doors (interior and exterior) in our house closed.

Last weekend cousins came over and she decided she wanted to walk. She has been cruising when the mood struck for a while, but after watching the cousins literally run cirlces around her she wants to walk. She stands up whenever she can, and will even let go of things and stand still for a couple of seconds before she carefully sits down. I don't think it will be too much longer before she figures it out for real. It is hard to believe how much my little baby has grown and learned in the last ten months.

And last, but certainly not least in the Callie brag blog, she now calls me Mama. It is one of her two words. The other is bye bye, but she has to be in the mood to say it.

Travel In Style

For the first two months of babysitting Alyson I was pretty much house bound because I couldn't figure out how to effectively travel with both children and no double stroller. I had pretty lofty goals for my double stroller. I wanted something that folded up pretty compactly and tandem (notice the one I got is side by side, not tandem), be in good shape, and cost less than $40 (I was planning on buying used).

I sacrificed on the tandem thing because I was able to get such a good deal on this stroller. I found it on EBay as a pick up only item. It was about an hour and a half drive away from here, but we took the chance to go to the coast for the day and try a seafood restaurant several friends had recommended to us (Barbara's Fishtrap in Half Moon Bay if you were wondering).

After using it for the past couple months now, I really don't mind that it isn't tandem. It would be a little hard to use if I went to clothes stores, but I don't so it isn't a problem. It works fine in grocery stores, going for walks around the park, and it actually fits through a standard size door. Not too bad for 11.50!