signed, sealed, delivered

noof and noel wedding (215 photos), by nefret hanna

2011-08-17T04:54:00.001-07:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

the blog is MOVING!

2011-02-05T14:01:00.001-08:00

I was inspired by this . Holler Al, KT, and Corinne.

This week was full of some serious technological assistance and hours of editing. Who should I thank first? Maya, you are incredibly patient with my picky taste in blog themes. And Corinne, thank you for inspiring me, being a technological genius, and for teaching me all I know about blogging and computers.

Bookmark it, follow it, google reader it, do what you gotta do.

TA DA!

Yes, I am Egyptian

2011-02-02T08:43:00.000-08:00

And like most Americans, I have been following the riots. And ike most Egyptians and Americans, I am very concerned. My information doesn't come from anywhere special... I read tweets, BBC, and listen to my mother's opinion, but when Carrie Badanes asked me a couple questions about the situation in my "homeland", I thought it approriate to share with the general internet public who reads my blog, you, what we think over here in the Stringham household. Simon is also an Egyptian-American, and you better believe he has an opinion too. He has been cranky lately, and I am attributing that to Egypt's unrest.

Until he learns how to share his opinion in English (or arabic),

1. Explain in two sentences why the people are rising up against Mubarak after 30 years. Speak simply.

A corrupt government that rigs elections and steals money obviously causes a high unemployment rate, and with that, a great amount of unrest. Tunisia started it, the Egyptian community saw their window, and thanks to social media and the unifying ability of the internet, it is finally happening.

2. As An Egyptian-American, what would you like to see for Egypt in the next 18 months?

I would like to see a fair democracy. I have no idea how one does that, and I think the word democrary is overused. How about just a fair government with an ability to help the people rather than harm them? I think I am too much of an idealist to answer this question. Pass.

3. If you were a solider in the Egyptian army, which national monument would you want to protect and why?

The mummies. Duh.

The security at the Cairo Museum has always been weak to say the least. Apparently precious items get stolen out of their basement all the time. Now that there is rioting, I hope they are stepping up their game with security. Save the mummies! Who knows what would happen to those guys when they hit some Cairo oxygen. Yikes. I am pretty sure they would instantly disintegrate.

Is my blog becoming political? I need to stick to a theme here.

what is wrong with this picture?

2011-01-31T17:50:00.000-08:00

My grandfather always used to say that nobody learned geography anymore. I didn't think it would come to this....

(thank you, Maya, for pointing this out to me.)

Thank goodness Simon has a map in his room...let the education begin!

the usual evening conversation

2011-01-28T17:04:00.001-08:00

Simon loves these pjs. or maybe Noel and I just love them.

In case you couldn't get a good look at them...

Noof: Simon, is Snugglestown in Virginia? I am just wondering, because there is an arrow on your shirt, and it makes me think it is nearby.

Noel: It is in between Crankyville and Happytown.

Noof: NO. You are wrong. It is near Stinkybuttville.

Noel: It is pointing east. It is near the coast.

Noof: Like close to VA beach?

Noel: Yea, probably.

Noof: Let's just say it's near Cutebabytown. or Babysarethebombville.

Noel: Alright. Whatever. (Walks off to make salad for dinner).

simon's new crib (not literally)

2011-01-25T17:12:00.000-08:00

Simon has graduated to his very own nook of the living room. Due to our limited space, the play mat only goes to the letter P.

I figure once he learns the alphabet, we will rotate the other letters in.

It seems though that he would rather eat his fist than play with his toys anyways.

trendy baby

2011-01-25T17:00:00.000-08:00

someone is sporting some new vans.

(i know, i know, we are working on his facial expressions...he has a perma shocked/deer in headlights look. I believe he is just shocked by how awesome his life is. )

he is actually going to skateboard to daycare today.

thanks corinne. simon has never been so trendy.

it's not over till it's over

2011-01-11T15:50:00.000-08:00

My hair is falling out! Though I was warned about this symptom of pregnancy that occurs 3 MONTHS after giving birth, nothing could have prepared me for this. My prenatal vitamins have finally turned against me and can no longer provide me with that luscious pregnancy hair that I have gotten used to.

I have found hair in these places around the house:

1- in the dryer

2-in Simon's diaper

3- in our dinner (sorry. bet you don't want to come over anymore)

4- in the cd player

When Noel was complaining about having to clean up the hair that is currently ALL OVER the bathroom, I cleverly accused him of mistaking our hairs. Yes, short red hair can be confused with long black curly hair.

As my previous roommates know, I hate cleaning out the drain in the shower. (sorry Julia!) Sorry, Noel, it is going to be an ugly winter.

The good news is that this kid doesn't care ONE BIT.

Oh, and he can roll over. Boo ya.

and....let's not forget...

2011-01-08T10:07:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday, Noelpac! You are the bomb. Love, Noofpac and Simpac

Yes, Simon and I had a lot of fun with the camera this morning...I think I had WAY more fun than he did.

belated partying

2011-01-08T07:28:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Simon's new years resolution is to wear all the clothes in his closet, including his happy new year tux (thanks Marianne!) Good luck, Simon...

a leaf has turned.

2011-01-03T19:44:00.001-08:00

It seems that simon doesn't completely hate his life anymore.

...and with the reason of the season still fresh in our minds , let me just say halleluia!

As he gets happier and happier, sometimes I get teary at the thought that he is getting bigger and bigger and will eventually go to college. I obviously automatically jump there, because it makes the most/least sense.
but then i remind myself that my eyeballs are itchy from exhaustion. so we return to square one: right now we are just working on sleeping through the night and not spitting up/peeing on my work clothes.

This is my prayer these days:

Thank You, Lord, that the days go by slowly. Simon is the best, and we want the days to go slower. But one teeny tiny favor... let Simon sleep through the night! Amen.

cvs santa

2010-12-20T19:12:00.000-08:00

Santa was stationed in the Beauty Section of CVS. I was the only person in line at 3:55, and in a desperate attempt to keep Simon awake for his first meeting with childhood magic, I made him sniff all the perfume in the aisle.

Everytime I look at this picture, I laugh. Maybe it is because I know that they draped a sheet over the makeup section to create Santa's "winter wonderland". Or because Simon is so distracted by something to his left (oh what could it be? Should I name all the things that distract him?...the light, the fan, bright colors, his fist, the sky, the ceiling...the kid has no discretion) that he looks like he is trying to leap out of Santa's lap.

Thank you, CVS, for a very memorable first Santa.

purple popsicles and a snowy day

2010-12-16T13:59:00.000-08:00

Let me tell you, I chose the right week to go back to work. A Christmas party and a snow day! It can't get any better than that.

Simon prepared for his first snowy day by wearing his ginormous snow outfit around the house. We also read this book together (thanks Emily and Nate!)

We made it to page 2 before Simon started whining, probably because his mother was making him wear a huge snowsuit inside the already quite heated house. I couldn't help myself.

Simon is currently on a medicine that makes his lips and tounge purple. As you can see in the above picture, it looks like he has been eating a purple popsicle all day. We have been teasing him constantly (as if he understands.) Aside from staining everything purple, including my pjs, his spit up, and the snow :) , the medicine cracks us up.

We thankfully and finally made it outside. Noel and I sang "Winter Wonderland" as Simon looked around confused, unsure of what to make of the white stuff.

na-ah

2010-12-08T21:27:00.001-08:00

How is it possible that you are already 2 months?!

ALSO

2010-12-05T13:56:00.000-08:00

I just checked the calender, and there is in fact T minus 10 days until I return to work.

Doesn't having a crazy kid count as 5 jobs? One more shouldn't matter too much. Perhaps it is a return to civility....clothes with zippers, conversations at the photocopy machines, and e-mails with semi-colons.

I will keep you updated on this working woman thang.

i want to spit up all over the christmas tree

2010-12-05T12:37:00.001-08:00

Without Julia's help this weekend , there is no way my Christmas spirit could have been maintaned. We found the most perfect tree in about 5 minutes.

Simon also participated in the hunt for the perfect tree. Here he is, being bossy and ruling the street as we pick out a tree.

After some furniture moving and some serious rummaging in the Christmas box, we managed to create this.

For those of you who do not have inspecter gadget's zoom-in glasses on your face right now, this tree has been topped off with a marvelous hand crafted angel.

Yes, that is a picture of my child perfectly crafted into the coolest arts and crafts project of all time. Julia's hot glue gun skills are incredible. His angel get-up comes with metallic wings AND a halo! Though his behavior has been far from angelic these days, we are hoping this is giving him something to strive towards.

Also, Simon loves to spit up on the Christmas tree. The real question, however, should be: What doesn't Simon like to spit up on?

baby clothes are the best

2010-12-02T20:05:00.000-08:00

The demographic of our coat hanger is changing.

Big coat, little coat, big coat.

business in the front, party in the back

2010-12-02T19:53:00.000-08:00

Is it just me or is this kid bringing back the mullet?

I have never been so proud.

my newest simple pleasure

2010-11-21T08:42:00.000-08:00

Every day, Simon takes about 4-5 naps. He is getting more and more social every day, which means I have to help him get to sleep or else I am pretty sure he would stay awake all day, crying and staring at things in wonder. I made up his "schedule" and it continues to be necessary for his/our/my/Noel's sanity. Getting him to sleep is the HARDEST thing ever and requires a butt load of patience. Since I am not a naturally patient person (working through that one now), I have to dig it up from the dregs of my long lost perfect personality.Yea right.

Let me tell you, though, when I actually make it happen, it feels good. Success is so sweet and the satisfaction of it is on the same level as a) a really good vacuum, and/ or b) driving while watching the light up ahead turn from red to green and without having to press your brake, you bust through the light. You all know what I am talking about it.

sleeping baby. BOO YA. fist pound.

tech savvy maternity leave

2010-11-18T11:42:00.000-08:00

Simon is on a strict sleep schedule. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

This means I make Simon sleep even when he doesn't want to (why didn't I think of that BEFORE?!), and I get to fold laundry, do dishes, write thank you notes...

Since my domesticness is limited and I can only fold laundry and nap for so long, I bought myself an early Christmas present. After joining twitter and conquering the world of constant social media (and some encouragement from Corinne), I moved on to this...

I don't watch a lot of tv, but I think I might start. I don't have the energy and mental capacity for books these days, so this will do, and I am VERY happy about it.

In baby news, Simon thinks it is really fun to spit up. It is my favorite thing ever. I guess he cracks himself up, just like his mother.

time flies

2010-11-10T06:05:00.001-08:00

Is that the beginnings of a smile?? Tightttttttt.

early age education

2010-11-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Even though I don't get to read so much anymore, Simon does. This bodes well for his future of straight A's.

Today was a good day

2010-11-02T18:11:00.000-07:00

For two reasons:

1- I love election day. Isn't there something so awesome about standing in line to vote? Simon was an angel, flirting with all the cville citizens exercising their rights. I like to think he might have swayed some voters with his eyelid batting. I can only say how disappointed I was that they were out of stickers by the time we got there at 1 pm. I was planning on stealing one for Simon, future voter.

2- Even though we can't so much afford fancy coffee, today is the first day of the Starbucks gingerbread latte. Does that mean Christmas is around the corner? That is horrifying. Anyways, I voted, then bought one for myself, convincing myself that I deserved a treat. I DID just have a baby, and NO, I do not sleep at night. I so deserve a cup of coffee. I am so editing the budget to include gourmet coffee in the childbirth recovery category. Boo ya.

hear me roar

2010-11-02T18:05:00.001-07:00

While baby Joel was fast asleep, Simon was roaring/freaking out/getting mad at mom for not constantly holding his pacifier in place.

Simon loves his Auntie Emily.

the BIG weekend

2010-10-24T13:46:00.000-07:00

where auntie logan came to visit! Yes, we did go to the market.

I had 3 awesome babysitters who loved standing with the stroller as I bought my brussel sprouts. and since i had a baby and am a loyal popsicle costumer, I got us four free popsicles, last of the season. life is good at the market.

And auntie allison and petie came to visit!

I think this is turning into a baby blog. Maybe soon I will have something else to write about, but I think I need to be sleeping a little more for that. Until then....

Life with Sims

2010-10-20T10:01:00.000-07:00

This is what Simon does (when he is not crabby.)

This is what we would like to be doing all day.

More to follow once I figure out this parenting thing. Might be a few million years.

Welcome to the world, Simon!

2010-10-10T17:59:00.000-07:00

8 lbs. 9 oz. Born on 10-8-10 (Wilkes' birthday!) at 1:32 A.M. (I think...) 20 1/2 inches.

You finally made it to the world, buddy, and we are so glad (even though you can't read this, everyone wants to see pics of you!)

This ones for you, Alice!

2010-09-28T08:33:00.000-07:00

Several things have happened in the last week:

1- I am officially on maternity leave. In fact, I have been on maternity leave for a week now. No baby yet, even though I am walking, eating spicy food, and drinking raspberry leaf tea like it is my job. This is a practice in patience, to say the least.

2- I got into a car accident. It was not my fault (which is nice), and everyone was okay (which is wonderful). But look at what it did to our car! Oh my.

Yes, we are currently trying to give birth to a baby and buy a car. In hopes of not making rash decisions, we are entering the parenting world early by borrowing my mother's mini van until we get a new car.

3- I promised Alice a belly picture. Unfortunately, this was taken 2 weeks ago, and I am too lazy to take a new picture. As you know, I am very busy on maternity leave.

4- I did something I have been threatening to do for the last 6 months ( Thank you, Rutha, for that reminder). It was about time I joined twitter. In the words of KT Shields, maternity leave has broken me down. I wish I knew how to retweet that. I am afraid technology is running much faster than I am.

5- I really hope my next post includes a picture of baby Stringham!

Aqua jogging, cont...

2010-09-16T19:39:00.001-07:00

We are joined by guest blogger, Logan Stout, first time blogger and first time aqua jogger:

I would like to say a few words about my aqua jogging experience that I had with Nefret this past weekend.

If you were like me, you read her most recent entry about this favorite new “sport” of hers and thought: “Only for pregnant ladies and folks over the age of 75. You just put a floaty belt on and bob up and down in the water, maybe moving your legs around a bit. How cool could that be?”

Incorrect my friends. Aqua jogging is 1. INTENSE!!! 2. For everyone!

Do you like the pool? Do you like bright colored floaty belts? Do you enjoy one piece swimsuits and swim caps (optional)? Then aqua jogging is for you! Move swiftly and smoothly through your own private lane with a good friend and converse while getting an impact free workout beneath the water’s surface. Tri-athletes do it! And while aqua jogging, you might even meet a nice European man like our friend here!

Please take the time to give aqua jogging a try… you will not regret it!

2010-09-13T15:08:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Jenni and Liam Stringham, for these awesome sippy cups.

Amazon.com, what's up with your packaging????

My new favorite sport

2010-09-07T07:07:00.000-07:00

Don't even try and tell me that aqua jogging is not a sport. I don't want to hear any of that nonsense, and if you insist on disagreeing with me, I challenge you to an aqua jogging race. I have been aqua jogging almost every day for the last three weeks, so you have no chance in beating me.

For those of you who have never had the privilege of jogging underwater, basically it requires that you float in a pool, pump your arms and legs "pretending" that you are jogging as you move at the slowest pace imaginable. It is heavenly. Weighing nothing in the pool is the best sensation ever- it's like, for 35 minutes, I do not weigh a million pounds and have a heavy rock/7.5 pound baby in my stomach.

Yesterday I stayed longer than my usual time because I could not keep my eyes off the UVA diving team. Diving is so impressive, and in my state, I can't really remember what it was like to flail your body off of a diving board into the water.

The day before yesterday I almost started crying in front of the janitor when I realized that the pool was closed for the UVA swim team practice. She looked confused, called me "honey", and then consoled me by walking me upstairs to get the new pool schedule. I have now rearranged my entire schedule to go to the pool when it is open.

Noel asked me the other night if I am going to love aqua jogging as much after I have the baby. I told him "YES" emphatically and then, when it dawned on me that I was not going to be able to swim for 6 weeks after the baby, I almost started crying. Poor Noel doesn't know what to do with me. Oh yeah, and you better believe that I have already made Noel go aqua jogging with me. He can comment on that experience independently, but I know it was the highlight of his week.

So, if anyone is available in the obscure hours of the morning and evening, grab an aqua jogging belt and meet me at the pool. Just be prepared to watch me attempt to get out of the pool about 5 or 6 times before I am even close to succesful. The lifeguards give me lots of looks, as if they are not sure if I need help getting out of the pool. YES, I need help. I am 9 months pregnant.

Sorry, I am not ready to have my picture taken with an aqua jogging belt. Just pretend that is me and all my aqua jogging buddies.

full term!

2010-09-06T08:59:00.000-07:00

This is the e-mail I got from thebump.com this morning that made me laugh out loud.

"Dear Nefret, Today brings two beautiful words: full-term. Now, whenever baby's born, he's likely to thrive. Also thriving? Your nesting instincts, which are behind those sudden urges to bake, clean, or embroider a onesie. (Feminists, take your issue up with nature, not with us.)"

To all the feminists out there, I just added embroidering a onesie to my to-do list.

Blast from the Past

2010-09-05T20:08:00.000-07:00

You are a kid again, running the streets in your neighborhood.

I am amazed by all the crazy technology out there. The kindle was/still is too much for me to handle, but being able to make a music video with a map of my childhood house?! Such deep irony in using new technology to relive our childhood where we did not have hardly any technology. Remember MS DOS? Whaaaaa. Oh my.

The Cricket, Part 2

2010-08-25T06:25:00.000-07:00

Noel saves the day. Again. and Again. Gosh, I am grateful for a handy creative husband who understands the importance of killing a cricket that sounds like he is living under my pillow.

At midnight last night, after several attempts at searching and tracking down the cricket. (Did you know crickets don't chirp unless it is dark outside? Let me tell you, that makes it VERY difficult to track him down.) Noel even put the lamp underneath the bed in hopes that would at least shut him up, so we could sleep. (That didn't work).

After Noel went outside, sprayed the entire outside window with Raid and proceeded to take a shower because he was so covered with nasty chemicals, the cricket was still chirping.

At this point, I am lying in bed with a pillow over my face. Noel, super hearing combined with brilliance, decides to take the blinds off and open the window from the top. And there, THERE, of ALL PLACES, trapped between outside and inside in our window, was the cricket.

Thankfully he is now free to chirp in our backyard as much as he would like.

In terms of preparing for having a baby, I pretty much think I learned nothing. Complain and whine until your husband tries every possible solution to get the baby to be quiet? That's all I got on this one. At least I know what it is like to be awake every 2 hours because of something wailing/chirping/crying in my ear.

God is preparing us to have a baby by giving us...

2010-08-24T09:30:00.000-07:00

A CRICKET!

We have a cricket in our bedroom. As you may or may not know, crickets are pea size, impossible to find, and make the loudest noises all night long. I am telling you, this cricket has got to be the soprano of his chorus, because he chirps this chirp that makes my shoulders rise to my ears and my eyeballs flinch in my sleep. At several points in the middle of the night I looked under my pillow to see if maybe he was there. It was THAT loud.

Noel and I both were awake at 1 A.M, 3 A.M. , and 5 A.M. swatting around the room with our pillows in hopes that by chance we would find him. We even opened the window, hoping we would hear him less with all his bros and sisters in the background. But no, he is living a little too close to our heads for that. We didn't find him, and instead I resorted to stuffing tissue papers in my ear (don't worry, I realize that won't work for the baby).

Alongside waking up every 2 hours to pee, I suppose this is good preparation.

Good thing our baby is going to be way cuter.

Charlottesville is a little lonelier

2010-08-18T10:41:00.000-07:00

without my girls, Logan, Rose, and Jamie.

I blame Logan for the terrible habit I have of cooking way more than I should. I was always hoping she would show up and eat some of whatever random vegetable I found at the market that week. Nobody appreciates a white eggplant or a batch of beets as much as she does. And when I told Logan I was pregnant and the baby was the size of a lentil, she cried...there is nothing more special than that.
I am so JEALOUS of Greenville.

Rose and Jamie! To be in the same city as Rosepac was marvelous. If it weren't for her, I don't think I would have left the house when we first arrived in Cville. She shared all her friends with me and taught me the cool places to hang.

In the course of our short (and awesome) friendship, Jamie and I walked miles and miles. There is nothing like circling the stadium an extra time because we are not finished discussing who we can convince to watch Shrek 3 in the movie theatre.

Let's just say it's a good thing Richmond is only an hour away, and I already have plans to visit next week.

the to-do list

2010-08-17T09:08:00.001-07:00

Everything I have been meaning to do for the last 25 years and still haven't done, and now that I am having a baby in less than 6 weeks, I really need to get them done:

- re-season dutch oven.

Noel insists that I need to take this off of my to-do list. I disagree. I am trying to be a foodie here, and I must have a working dutch oven in case I need to use it again (only been used once.)

-clean car.

There are still dead leaves from the fall on the floor of our car. Gross. I am trying to keep this baby away from germs, but I am pretty sure our car has the most germs of anywhere else we hang.

-read all the unread books on my bookshelf.

This is ambitious, but I don't care. I am afraid they will never get read. Ask Noel. I get into bed at around 9 pm to start reading, and he has to beg me to turn off the light.

-buy more socks.

Why do I insist that I can just keep wearing the same ones with giant holes in the heel? I have no idea.

-wash clothes.

This is always on the to-do list. Who doesn't have this on their to-do list? I would like to know your strategy.

-return random stuff from target that I bought several months ago and still haven't returned.

I know you all can relate to this.

-buy stamps.

I should probably quit mooching off of people, asking strangers outside near the mailbox for stamps as if they are cigarettes.

- pack hospital bag

Noel insists that this is the most important thing on the to-do list. Of course it is, but if one only has 2 pairs of sweatpants, how can I sacrifice one to the hospital bag just in case I go into labor. I don't know why I didn't think about this before. I am praying the baby gives me ample time to stuff toothbrush (only got one of those!), contacts, and other random assortment of things I might need before we rush off to the hospital.

-clean sofa cover.

It is disgusting. enough said.

-take shower.

Yes, it is satisfying to put this on a to-do list, because I know I can check it off in about 10 minutes. Boo ya.

(Sorry no pictures. I have been forgetting my purse at home a lot.)

Screen porch makeover

2010-08-08T13:34:00.001-07:00

I did not take a before picture, because this makeover happened in record whirlwind time. For those of you who can imagine a screened-in porch that is all our many multi-color leftover rugs and every trinket I could not find a place for in the house all in one space, that is what it would be. Katie said, "It was so typical Noof, but this is even more Noof."

As she swept the dead leaves that had fallen off my plant (oy, I can not seem to keep anything green alive for very long), Carrie said, "We just can't let Alice Curtin one up us."

I am so grateful for my friends.

I know you want to come over and chill on our awesome porchhhhh.

Welcome to the world, Peter Christopher Clausen!

2010-08-03T13:33:00.000-07:00

You are really freakin cute, and I can't wait until you are best buds with baby Stringham. Yes, I will buy you boys matching overalls. Love, your auntie Noof

while you were out

2010-07-30T07:09:00.001-07:00

I am speechless.
While I was at work today, the talented Alice Curtin transformed my baby room from this:

to this:

Who else is as wowed by this as me? Noel and I spent the majority of the night convincing Alice that she belongs on a television show. Noel and I keep going into the room, staring at it, and lying down on the floor. We are thinking about sleeping in it tonight. I am so grateful, my eyeballs hurt.

For those who are curious...

2010-07-20T18:08:00.001-07:00

Pregnant Noof, 30 weeks 1 day.

Yes, there is a fan blowing in my face.

The Blue Ridge is soooooooo hooottttt

2010-07-20T17:58:00.000-07:00

Welcome, Ann, to the blue ridge!

I love having you at reasonable dinner range, and I like almost as much your boyfriend's ridiculous expression in this picture.

Driving over the mountain has never had me so pleased.

an awful lot of falafel.

2010-07-20T17:51:00.000-07:00

A couple months ago, Noel and I had this genius idea that I was going to quit my job and run a falafel stand with the baby downtown. According to my brief math, we were going to be millionaires in a matter of weeks.

Though our conversation has slowly evolved away from money making genius ideas to who is going to water the plants and what happens if my water breaks at a client's house, I decided to try a falafel recipe. I think I was hoping it was going to be so amazing that Noel would immediately go and buy me a flashy red stand to make my falafels in.

This is what happened.

I hope my mother isn't reading this, because I am ashamed of myself and my Egyptian heritage. My ancestors would be horrified. Noel, who pretty much will eat anything (yes, I have caught him eating food from the kitchen sink) couldn't finish it. He said I should have put 80% less salt than I did. Oops.

We ate chic-fil-a instead.

whaaaa

2010-07-20T06:44:00.000-07:00

This is a birthing ball.

With my head all in a pregnant tizzy, I decided to buy one yesterday.
Game time is fast approaching.

I bet you are sorry you missed this...

2010-06-29T19:40:00.000-07:00

Don't we all just want a chance to eat with our hands and watch real life jousting with real life horses, all in a huge arena (located in a mall!)
I am sorry to be repetitive, but I still can not believe such a place exists in real life!

Along with the 6-12 year olds whose birthday it was, I got the distinct pleasure of being knighted. I have got to be one of the few knighted preggos. Noel said I didn't stop smiling the whole time.

The blue knight, "bizarro Noel".

When we left, Noel said we are going to have to take our son there for his 12th birthday. I can not wait. I am wondering if I can convince him to work there (perhaps as a medieval busboy?)

Thank you, Waughs!

why hello, third trimester!

2010-06-28T13:05:00.000-07:00

You bring us...many packed boxes.

a huge belly.

and a new craving to drink a glass of milk with every meal.

oh goodness.

Good riddance apt !

2010-06-24T15:55:00.000-07:00

As a farewell present to us, trusty tenants, there was a 5 minute whirlwind of a storm, and this is what happened:

Holy cow!

Noel and I were off to workout (yes, pregnant chics do that...for exercise, yes, but mostly because I love riding a bike and reading a book at the same time. It's a very satisfying form of multi-tasking).

Turns out, however, Noel can no longer ride his bike to work.

When I called the landlord, he told me he was currently in Turkey and it was 1 A.M. Oops. I can not wait to see what form his magical connections from Turkey will take when the tree, as he promised, will be removed tomorrow. It is kind of fun forging a trail from our apartment to the street, so I can't say I won't be a little disappointed.

Babymoon...more like PARTYmoon

2010-06-19T12:18:00.001-07:00

Since we have such generous friends in the Waughs, we got to spend a whole FIVE days(count them, yes, that is a lot more days than I could have imagined) in their beautiful and awesome West Virginia cabin.

I mostly pretended we were at the beach, and immediately woke up and put a swimsuit on every day in an effort to try and convince Noel to go to the pool. As Noel said (and I take as a very high compliment, "You are the only person who can get a tan in West Virginia.") Exactly.

25 weeks (or so) pregnant

We really didn't do much. I learned that sleeping in is not a thing of the past (yet), and until the baby comes, I am utilizing every opportunity to sleep in. We read a lot of books and watched a lot of cable tv (what a treat!)

Noel has the best taste in books, doesn't he?

We are currently in a swamp of moving ( July 10th!) and being pregnant (as usual), but there will be more to come. Goodbye Spring, hellooooo summmmerrrrrrr.

ps- Did I already say how much I love my maternity swimsuit and especially the fact that I currently float so well in the pool? I would wear my swimsuit every single day if I could. I can't wait until the baby comes, and I can use that as an excuse to play in the sprinkler whenever possible.

I love my siblings

2010-06-08T10:09:00.000-07:00

This picture summarizes my Saturday in Fredericksburg with Ramsey, Isis, and my mom. Noel was in the car when this picture was taken, smirking from a distant at my brother's behavior.

In other news, I schooled the GRE and am hoping to be graduate school bound in the next couple years. No more vocabulary flashcards for me!

Pictures soon to come....

2010-05-26T07:39:00.000-07:00

My mom bought us a camera!

She said, "You need to have a camera to take pictures of the baby, or else you will forget what he looked like when he was cute and innocent. You will need that when he is a teenager. " :)

So faithful blog-readers (my sister and my grandfather), pictures are soon to come!

I will be checking the mail diligently everyday, running from the car to the mailbox in excited anticipation.

What/Who's living in my belly?!

2010-05-26T06:33:00.001-07:00

A baby boy !!!

Tight?

Very tight.

I have been imagining little overalls and skater shirts and sneakers with velcro, and even though I do love floral print, I can not wait to force upon my baby boy infant whatever style I choose (emo punk, urban chic, preppy casual.)

My dear friend, Carrie, has invested some time into looking up outfits for the boy in my belly. This is a personal favorite. Indeed, what would baby Jesus do ? Poop his diapers? Cry? Probably not. I am sure baby Jesus slept through the night as soon as he was born. Tell you what, with this message plastered on baby boy's shirt, I am expecting a perfect child, preaching the gospel from infanthood! :)

I will say, he is a bundle of energy. The ultrasound took FOREVER because he was wiggling around so much, we couldn't count his toes and make sure all his organs were in place. At one point, I was told to jiggle my belly to get him to move into a different position (though this is as far away from a confidence boosting excersize as you can get, I did it. And it still didn't work. ) He is an active little fella, and as far as I can tell, we will have our hands full for the next 18+ years.

One more thing. You better believe Noel is excited. He keeps talking about taking the baby camping.

A really tight knot

2010-05-21T06:40:00.001-07:00

This morning I decided to pretend I wasn't pregnant and wear a non-maternity dress to work. This did not work well, because as Noel is in the living room trying to finish some last minute work, I am in the bedroom trying to get this dress off of me.

After wasting 10 minutes being stubborn and imagining I didn't have a belly and it would just slip off easily, I finally humbled myself to ask Noel for help.

The knot in the dress was so tight, I had to lie down on my back and flatten my belly as much as I could (not very much), and with a fork, Noel untied the knot. By this time, I was late to work and disheartned by my lack of wardrobe choice. Noel kindly suggested I put that dress away for the season.

Anyone remember 9th grade homecoming? I do believe I wore a purple moo moo (upon my mother's suggestion). Don't be surprised if you see me wearing that once again.

As if my life couldn't get weirder enough...

2010-05-05T05:43:00.000-07:00

I have officially entered a completely new and foreign stage of life.

Yes, I now have a subscription to Parenting Magazine. I guess I should begin my subscription to Scholastic right away, so I know what my child will be reading in his/her upcoming years. I miss my Seventeen magazine more now than ever.

My new favorite food

2010-04-30T08:20:00.000-07:00

In the fall, I went through a phase where I wanted to eat brussel sprouts every day. I couldn't believe that this tasty vegetable existed, and that it's bad rep is totally unfounded.

Now that I am out of morning sickness and well into eating as much as possible of whatever I can find, I have a new vegetable I love. I can't believe I hadn't tried it until last night.

The best part is that it makes your tounge and your teeth pink. It's almost as satisfying as eating a red popsicle.

BEETS!

Noelsef, get ready to eat beets for every meal. Oh wait, yesterday you only had one because I ate them all.

baby goggles

2010-04-26T10:52:00.001-07:00

I am becoming extremely aware of all babies and ALL baby paraphernalia. I have NEVER noticed this stuff before, and all of a sudden, the arrival of a wee one in my womb makes me stare googley eyed at babies and chase people up the downtown mall asking them where they got their diaper bag. (WHAT is a diaper bag anyways? Isn't that just a regular bag with pockets? I don't know, but I am SO checking all of them out.)

Charlottesville happens to be the best place for baby watching too. The downtown mall, the farmer's market, Fashion Square Mall (nobody actually goes there I thought)...the babies are EVERY where. Pregnant women and their babies are taking over this town, and I don't know how I missed it until now.

Someone told me this is the best stroller in the world. It sure does look cool. I read that this is the "mini cooper" of strollers. Go figure.

I am not sure if I am ready for that, but I will tell you that I am ready for this.

Pregnant lady overalls- I have been dying to wear them, and I can't find them anywhere...what is the world coming to? I continue to pray for the day when overalls become as popular as ugh boots and mini skirts.

In other news, Noel is in the middle of exams and excessive paper writing. In order to be in full camaraderie with him, I have registered for the GRE in order to advance my future graduate school education. You can find us with our number 2 pencils behind our ears. I hope my wacked out pregnancy hormones don't affect too many brain cells between now and June 7th. (I do have a memory issue and continue to lose my cell phone when it is right in my back pocket.)

super hubs

2010-04-18T12:26:00.000-07:00

So, clumsy pregnant lady I am, I dropped my tweezers down the sink. As I yelled for Noel in haste and imagined what our landlord would say when he discovered tweezers in our sink pipe, Noel came to the rescue.

With his genius grad school on-his-feet-invention-convention attitude, he proceeded to place magnets on the bottom of a long piece of duck tape. With quick skill, he dropped the duck tape into the sink...AND pulled out my tweezers!! Keep in mind that the whole time I was standing behind him jumping up and down on my tiptoes throwing words of doubt and question into his ears ( terrible, I know. I apologized PROFUSELY after the fact.)

\

In all his glory. It is as if he invented chocolate.

The tweezers stuck to the magnets. I had to document the moment.

more food, please.

2010-04-15T08:15:00.000-07:00

Our camera is officially busted, so I have no photos to show for a busy month.

Here are some highlights:

-Allison's visit. Talking about babies and pregnancy for 10 hours straight was never so much fun.

-Noel's parent's visit. Monticello, hiking in Shenandoah park. You better believe pregnant lady can hike up some serious hills.

-the opening of the Charlottesville market and my new obsession with the popsicle stand at the market. I am making a goal to try every flavor.

-me as avid fan cheering on the 10-miler runners as they ran through campus. I thought I was waking up early to go support the runners, but I was humiliated when I only made it to see the tail end of the runners as they busted through the finish line at a bright and early 8:30 in the A.M.

- the return of my appetite. A couple of weeks ago, at around 11 A.M., I realized I was so ravenous it was possible I was going to eat my fist and all the pencils on my desk. I raced to subway, ordered a foot long, ate half of it in the car, and half of it in the office. Ever since then, I feel the need to eat every 1.5 hours. This makes for a lunch box fill to the brim.

Just for a visual.

This is what I are for dinner last night (all by myself) :

The www is full of magic

2010-03-28T19:41:00.000-07:00

Noel and I were amused by the wonders of the world wide web and decided to morph our faces into our "baby" through some crazy internet gimmick(cost-free of course).

Don't they look like a little adult? They are even wearing my glasses. A technical error for sure. We were pretty upset that they didn't look as crazy as we want them to look. We are hoping for a child that strongly resembles Pippi Longstocking.

I know you have been waiting for a picture of Noel wearing a turban...

2010-03-26T07:55:00.001-07:00

Noel was commonly mistaken for Lawrence of Arabia everywhere we went. And every security guard would basically pull his turban off his head, so they could fix it for him for some money.

This is where I puked. Monumental. Literally.

Where else are you going to smoke hooka except for Egypt?!

I have no idea how to summarize this trip -our itinerary was so extensive,and our camera was so broken that we missed a lot of kodak moments. Noel and I's favorite part was cruising the nile on a boat and waving to the farmers and their children on the Nile Bank. I love Egypt, and I love going to my homeland where everyone looks like me. It is so refreshing.

Thank you, Gido, for planning such a great trip for us!

I know everyone has been waiting for these...

2010-03-23T05:45:00.001-07:00

with the same bug-eyed anticipation as me !

My new wardrobe

2010-03-22T06:31:00.000-07:00

I am planning on wearing this every day, even to work.

Just call me Nefertility

2010-03-16T15:10:00.001-07:00

This goes to show that control is an illusion and that abstinence is the only real form of birth control. Regardless, how can we not be excited that there is a little person with a heartbeat and fingernails living in my gut ?

Just picture me puking on the steps of the pyramids in Egypt last week, and you can imagine what the last couple months has been like. (Contrary to popular belief, you can lose weight while pregnant). I will say, however, that there is no better place to puke than at the foot of my ancestor's tombs. On that note, I will offer no more details unless provoked and you will have to wait for the next blog post to hear about our trip to Egypt and see Noel's head wrapped in a turban.

PS-Thank you to the jewel for naming me Nefertility. It is very appropriate.

I am so proud of my alma mater

2010-03-01T16:27:00.000-08:00

isis loves dumplings

2010-02-28T12:46:00.000-08:00

Isis and her boyf came to visit this weekend. She refuses to call him her boyf, but I think after this weekend I convinced her that is better than "boyfriend."

Our weekend consisted of several key Charlottesville activities.

We took a drive to the mountains for a photo shoot.

I guess I gotta say my little sister is the bomb.

I managed to cut myself from this picture, but at least we know I was present and we tried.

We then strolled the downtown mall, enjoyed the scenery and the weather, and then bought 10 orders of dumplings from the local dumpling place. We then ate them all in one sitting. Isis says the dumplings are her favorite part of Charlottesville, and she'll come back to visit JUST for them. Gosh, I am so lucky.

I want to do this when I grow up

2010-02-26T10:57:00.000-08:00

Is anyone else just impressed that they manage to land with both skis and their head still on?!!?

the best compliment i have ever received

2010-02-17T14:34:00.001-08:00

While sitting in the car chatting (apparently about fashion),

My dear friend, Rose: "Well, I really learned how to layer from watching you."

In honor of that fabulous compliment, I guess I will never wear just one shirt at a time ever again.

Thank you, Mr. President(s)!

2010-02-15T09:15:00.000-08:00

I love president's day weekend.

First, my girl, Rutha, came for a Friday visit. Her trip involved the best 8 hours spent doing nothing ever. We lounged on the couch and took what felt like a million bathroom breaks (actually, it just meant we sat on the couch all day long) - it was perfect.

Then Noel and I went to the greatest and most magical place I have ever been, the Sugar Tree Inn.Our weekend involved many naps. Yes, on Sunday, we ate breakfast, and then went back to bed for 2 1/2 hours. If only we could get away with that in real life. We spent our time in their magical robes and on our first night Noel took a longggg time building a fire with toilet paper to then realize the next day (with dismay) there was a fire starter kit. Duh.

Our only real activity involved a serious hike. Literally, we hiked up a mountain, in which I did slip several times and almost fell a few more times. I almost turned around several times, except there was a woman in front of us carrying a LARGE toddler on her back, and I was unwilling to believe she could climb the mountain and I could not. Pride can get you so many places, including to the top of Crabtree falls! I was hoping we would see one of these guys, but no such luck.

Noel and I were like boy scouts together, singing camping songs and eating pb and js with our freezing hands.

We had all packed up and were about 9 minutes away from the inn when we realized we hadn't taken any pictures of the wilderness and us in it! So, we turned around to take some lovely pics with our epilectic camera to share with you all ( actually just Isis since I think she is one of the only person who reads this blog).

I love Noel's gigantic grin replacing the "Blue" in "Blue Ridge."

Noel is a goober in all these pictures, and I love it.

Hubs, guest blogger

2010-01-25T12:41:00.000-08:00

Due to popular demand, I will not delete hacked in blogpost.

It is called NoofandNoel anyways.

WHAT SHE ISN'T TELLING YOU

2010-01-25T08:57:00.000-08:00

Greetings faithful blog readers,
(yes I just said greetings)

As I'm sure you've all noticed NoofandNoel has a lot more Noof than Noel in it (part of the reason there are any faithful followers, trust me) and as you may have guessed Nefret leaves a lot out.

I'm not going to try to "correct" the blog's entire history now but I do want to point one thing out. In ancient Egyptian, the name Nefretiti means "Beauty has Come" (Nefer="Beauty" and Titi="Come"). The queen named Nefretiti was given her name later in life because the Egytians believed she was the most beautiful women they had ever seen (Neferet means "most beautiful"). Pharaoh had his pick of the whole country but his choice was obvious, lets just say I know how he felt.

For the sake of narcissism

2010-01-25T08:05:00.000-08:00

For those of you who haven't heard, this is what I am currently reading:

This is exciting for two reasons: nobody has my name. NOBODY. When I was a young child, I would pretend my name was Melissa and buy the key chains/random trinket at ocean city with my "name", Melissa, on it just to fit in.

So, as you can imagine, I was ecstatic when this was one of the titles in the elite "front table" at the Richmond Barnes and Noble.
And you wouldn't have imagined my horror when it wasn't at said noted table in the Charlottesville Barnes and Noble.
I filed a strong complaint, found copies of Nefertiti in the stacks (who gets books from there anyways?!), and then sneakily started my own pile of Nefertiti books on the elite table. Noel watched this all from afar, amused and as he said "not surprised."

If anyone wants to read along with me, feel free to start on page 177 when Nefertiti is rumored to be refered to as "Neferet" by the townspeople, an even better and hotter name that Nefertiti. ( !!!!!!) I almost peed my pants.

All to say, it is good for my ego.

Lets back track to December...

2010-01-09T16:02:00.000-08:00

15 hours in the chicago o'hare airport, crappy chinese food and its' consequential stomach ache, and a lost drivers license (yes, I had to go to the dmv AGAIN and take another crazy non-smiling picture of myself) later, we finally made it to Lincoln, NE for Christmas.

This is what we did.

After 5 days in the blinding snow with lots of wonderful crazy indoor quality time, we went swimming with the Visedal ( visedal.org) children in Managua, Nicaragua.

This is our little girl we sponsor, Ana. She is wearing the cutest hooded towel in the whole entire world.

Noel is smiling so big his eyes are closed and we are all so sweaty, but that pretty much summarizes the trip anyways. Thanks, dy-lan, for becoming friends with all those sweet kiddies...they are the bomb.

PS- Dylan gave me the job of giving the older girls a "growing up/ sex talk", which really included me reminding the girls to be careful with their bodies over and over again. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) I do not have the spanish vocabulary to go any further than that.

NOEL was born....

2010-01-08T10:10:00.000-08:00

TODAY ! 25 YEARS AGO !

This is Abraham Lincoln's favorite cake ( with its own flavor suited for Noel)

Yes, this does say Happy Day. The B did not fit in my sloppy chocolate-shell handwriting.

It was well enjoyed by our friends and half left if anyone wants to try Abe's fave!

snowcation

2009-12-23T07:52:00.000-08:00

This was the itinerary of the snowcation ( or as the Daily Progress is currently calling it, snowmageddon).

Noel wrote his final papers. And shoveled. When he would resurface from his paper to go shovel, I wouldn't see him for hours, because he would be outside shoveling everyone's driveways and parking spaces.

My snow days consisted of a) going stir crazy in our apartment and baked so much, I just about broke my arm off with a whisk still in my hand, and b) rediscovering my love for sleeping in and taking 2 showers a day.

Also, I love my snow boots.

My camera broke, so I have no proof of the snow. If you do not believe me, check this out: WOA

Oh, and I am going right back into the thick of it. This time I am bringing my pick ax to make ice sculptures and snowmen with real buttons on their jackets. Also, I am going to win a snowball fight against Noel.

weepy gurgle face

2009-12-09T19:46:00.000-08:00

This week I received an email from William and Mary saying that my personal website would be erased from the internet within a couple weeks. In curiosity, I checked to see what exactly my college site had been.

Is anyone else amazed and astounded by the amount of spelling errors on my website?

I sure am. I clearly didn't finish it....but here's to the gurgle face AND the weepy face, hot hot hot, the dot com, and the fact that we obviously had dinner both on tuesday and thursday nights. Or do you think I made that mistake by accident? We can all thank Katie Shields again for giving us the best 2005 Christmas gift that a girl could ask for. (Note this very funny convo in the discussion board about who will cook with me...Can you believe there was even a debate on that?!?! I am surprised everybody wasn't rushing at the opportunity. I was always an expert at frozen lasagna.)

2 things

2009-12-07T18:18:00.000-08:00

I forgot to mention a couple things that are obviously significant enough for me to backtrack to tell you...

First thing:

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wendell Berry came to speak at UVA! Noel saved us seats, I left work early and biked franticly to the UVA library, and in the crowd of people, I sat, legs twitching in excitement and anticipation. I was so happy! Thank you, Wendell Berry, for making my day, and inspiring me to ask my landlord if I can grow a garden and have a chicken coop in the backyard.

Second thing:

Both rain coat and pants have been returned from the dry cleaners. Raincoat now smells strongly of soap. Noel says he can smell the soapy jacket from across the room. The lady at the dry cleaners told me they use the same potion to take out cat urine. eek. And yes, the pants still smell like skunk. I am considering it a lost cause, and thinking about throwing them away unless anyone has any more suggestions...a month later, and the skunk is still haunting me.

Triple Date Christmas Vacay

2009-12-06T11:24:00.000-08:00

This is what happens when you combine beautiful Charlottesville snow, Alice's amazing craft skills, Allison's baking skills, some football for the men, and enough Christmas cheer and ice cream that your head might explode...Oh, and did I mention handfuls of WaWa Chex mix?!

I haven't had a real Christmas tree since I was 11. Who is impressed with me !? It was barely fastened to the car, but somehow we made it home in one piece.

I decorated my own gingerbread man ornament to put on the tree. It was supposed to be a lady, but by mistake I drew a beard and then quickly recovered by making it into a scarf. The bearded lady now hangs high on our lovely Christmas tree.

This is my favorite ornament, borrowed from Sawsan's collection. It actually is about double the size of the star on top. Our tree leans a little over where King Tut hangs.

Enough said.

Now I must go eat all 3 days worth of advent calender chocolate that I forgot about in all the excitement of this weekend full of fun visitors.

gourmet chef

2009-11-23T09:32:00.000-08:00

I love fall vegetables. And I love cooking them, gluten-free style.

Did you know this.....

can turn into this.....?!?!?!

Neither did I.

Yes, you can call me Martha Stewart/Oprah. And yes, you can subscribe to my monthly magazines where I tell you how awesome I am. :)

Skunked, part 2

2009-11-19T13:56:00.000-08:00

Firstly, thank you for all those who have been following the drama of the outdoor wilderness that is immediately outside our apartment. You will be glad to know that it has not yet ended. This past weekend I spent 4 hours in the laundromat cleaning off our "Skunkfected clothes." This meant 4 cycles in the super duper hardcore laundry machine while others stared and sniffed, asking "what's that smell?" as I hogged the laundry machine. I got many stares, shakes of the head, nose holding, as I put my first load in, and then as I proceeded to make the skunk smell concotion in a little mixing bowl in the middle of the laundromat to wash my hands in. The laundromat owner in fact put a sign on my laundry machine that said, "Do not use", so the person who used the machine after me (At one point, I thought I would be there all week and that person would never exist) wouldn't get skunk on their clothes. I was so traumatizingly embarressed, I couldnt even read my book without thinking about the inevitability of being there forever.

So, this is where the skunk clothes are now.

I put them out on a clothesline - I craftily made myself!- to let them dry and get in some fresh air, and of course it rained twice this week, in the middle of the night when I couldn't run out and rescue them, so they are still there, one week later, soaking up toxic rain and slowly losing their skunk smell (maybe).

Please note and mourn with me that my favorite Halloween socks have in fact been skunked and are really hanging on for dear life.

AND as if that's not bad enough, my favorite article of clothing, my raincoat, has been skunked. I suppose that's what happens when you wear your favorite item of clothing every day. Beware, everyone-it could happen to you too.

Skunking aside, Who is so grateful for thanksgiving? And 3 day weeks!

Skunked.

2009-11-12T11:37:00.000-08:00

I recently had that moment of transitional shock, the moment where I knew I no longer lived in Capitol Hill anymore. On the walk down from the car to the apartment last night, I thought I saw the neighbors cat cut in front of my path. As I continued to walk closer, I realized it was not AT ALL the cat, but a black furry thing with a white strip.

I didn't have enough time to move at all when I heard this "HSSSSSSSSS" sound. (Noel told me later that he heard the hsssss from inside the apartment. ) I smelled it instantly, and fled running into the street wailing and screaming for Noel. I am pretty sure I woke up the entire neighborhood with my blubbering yelling.

SKUNKED.

The smell was horrible- on my phone, my hair, my keys, my jacket, my pants. I could feel it seeping into my skin before I had to strip naked outside of our apartment and sit isolated in the bathroom until Noel came back with some potion concoted with hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, baking soda, and bleach for me to bathe in.

Noel saved the day, and now I know we no longer live in a safe place away from attacking rodents (I must interject here that Julia did remind me about the mouse we named Mickey who lived in our apartment. She did say a skunk is 50 times worse than a mickey, anc I completely agree, especially with the 50 times worse.) I didnt think I would miss the concrete jungle as much as I did in that moment. I thought I moved to a nice quaint college town. In the midsts of my bubbling and hysteria, Noel did remind me that UVA had a rabid fox roaming campus for a while.

It was more than just a traumatizing experience. I still smell skunk everywhere I go...it has implanted on the inside of my nose(or my hurting and traumatized heart), and I cant get rid of it.

This was my favorite cartoon when I was a child, and now I know better. I later learned that there are some crazy people out there who have skunks as pets. Don't be fooled, these are not cuddly creatures. May I just say, what in the world.

Hey Mr. Grumpy Gills

2009-10-29T20:37:00.001-07:00

Tonight I went to see Finding Nemo on Ice with my co-worker and her 4 year old son.
It was the highlight of my week.

I especially loved the papa turtle with its flock of baby turtles.

And how incredible is it that there is a giant ice skating roller whale that is ultimately going to eat Marlin and Dora, all on the ice rink in front of thousands of little children.

I think I liked the whole experience more than my 4-year old friend.
Disney, you are brilliant. Apparently swimming and ice skating are more similar than I could ever have imagined.

The Jewel

2009-10-20T19:17:00.000-07:00

This weekend the Jewel came to visit.

Need I say more.

She joined us for a magical weekend of apple picking.

This is disgusting, and I refused to participate, but bobbing for apples is apparently appropriate in many more places than just your middle school halloween parties. All I have to say is the Jewel is hardcore ( Rose and I were not.)

The Jewel also filled in as our weekend clergy. (I had a flash of the Jewel on the steps of tucker peforming sunday service.) Since Noel and I lost our "unity salt" that we performed in our unity salt ceremony at our wedding, the Jewel offered to re-perform the salt covenant ceremony. We then placed our "new" salt in a little baggie like this, placed it on our mantle, and are officially re-married with salt. Here are some post salt ceremony pictures ( with bouquet). Noel even wore a fancy sport coat.

Invention Convention

2009-10-06T18:45:00.001-07:00

We have a raccoon problem. While I am asleep in the middle of the night, Noel claims that he is outside with a broom beating away raccoons. Today was the last straw for him, however. While my back was turned for maybe 2 minutes,Noel had hoisted our trash can mid-air.

Sorry, rodents of the backyard,
get your trash from somewhere ELSE.
Love, Noof and Noel.

Since I can't reach the trash can anymore, it looks like I am exempt from trash duty permanently. (Noel says that must mean I am about the same size as a raccoon.)

Volcano Cupcake

2009-09-25T08:55:00.000-07:00

I tried to make a giant cupcake for my work pot luck. This is how it came out.

So much for opening up my own cupcakery. Noel referred to it as the volcano cake incident, which is a good description. There is still cake underneath the carpet. Needless to say, I brought a bag of apples to the potluck. Thanks to our new friends Sarah and Cody, who graciously ate the entire volcano cupcake.

Dedicated to Stevie

2009-09-23T14:33:00.000-07:00

In order to explain the name of our blog, I must tell you that Stevie Wonder is my favorite singer. He has always been my favorite and continues to be my favorite. Windows down, windows up, in the morning, at night, it doesn't matter. Stevie is my favorite. Before Noel came around, Stevie Wonder was my boyfriend. He is oh so encouraging.

I knew I could marry Noel when he told me that he walked to Stevie Wonder. As the story is told, little baby Noel was crawling until he first heard Stevie Wonder on the radio. Then he walked. How fitting...the extra boost a child needs in the lyrics of a Stevie song.

Thank you, Stevie. Not only can my husband walk, he can climb. We owe you one.

Cheers and many thanks to Stevie!

Newlyweds <3 Canada

2009-09-21T17:16:00.000-07:00

We just got married. kind of. I feel like I have been married forever. As I danced around the kitchen in an apron and sang to Charlottesville's hit radio station ( soft rock ? yes, please) , I couldn't help but feeling like my domestic life has reached an all new peak.

So a month and a half in, and still going strong. In a ploy to get people to read our awesome new blog, this is what you missed because you didn't come on the honeymoon with us.
Canada is lovely, and you even get a stamp on your passport.

Yes, this is a polar bear. No, we did not go to the Artic.
I just love all aquariums, no matter the city.

Everything that had the french word "Noel" in it, I made my husband stand in front of so I could take a picture. I was endlessly amused. He obediently complied.

Clearly I had a ball in Canada. You know how much I love fountains and kissy faces.

Mid-pose. How appropriate.
Our family's motto: Be prepared.
(that is why Noel takes out the trash 3 days before the garbage guys comes.
Or so he says.)

Best reason to road trip. I guarantee that if we had taken a plane, we would have missed this wonderful sign. How I wish we lived in a town with two exclamation points in its name!