Are you "green"?

I'm not, not really.

It seems that this week has been all about being green, with earth day and arbor day. I read a post on one of my favorite blogs that I read and I had to laugh because I completely agree with the author. It's not to say that I don't try to do my part with being one of a billion other residents on this planet. I don't litter. I try to recycle when I can (would probably do more if our neighborhood had an active recycling program.) We bought the reusable grocery bags (because you get a refund for using them.) And I'm a fan of gardening. But, unless nothing else is available some day in the future, I will never drive a hybrid. I still enjoy being in the great outdoors, even if it means I am "polluting" it somehow by being there. And I think earth hour is a ridiculous idea. Really? You want me to cut all electricity in my home at the time of night I'm going to need it the most?!

I understand the need to be a little more conscienscious of the decisions that we make on a day to day basis, but it seems like everyone has gone a little overboard with the idea. It almost seems like a fad now. (Does anybody remember the Atkins craze when carbs were the enemy? Have we just decided to move onto the latest craze?) Also, anyone who believes that global warming is a problem needs to come live in Utah for a few months. It's called a cycle. We have years where the earth warms (dinosaurs) and years where the earth cools (ice age.) I'm sorry, I don't remember them teaching in history class that the dinosaurs became extinct because they weren't driving a Prius. It's ridiculous to panic about things that are so out of our control anyway.

I'd rather just enjoy life, thank you.

~

Yesterday I had one of those moments that I've become rather famous for...

I had asked S if he would mind taking over trimming the lawn for me. The engine on the trimmer lies really close to my belly and I've heard super loud noises are not good for the baby. He said it was fine and I said thank you...

E: I just don't want her to be deaf.

S: Huh?

E: Deaf.

S: What?

E: Deaf!

S: Dead?

E: DEAF!! D-E [at this point I realize the smirk on his face...I then "get it" and mutter] oh, shut up!

S: [smiles] I think you need to be more worried about her being gullible!!

Have I told you the story about opening doors with my badge?? Like I said, wish I could blame it on pregnancy...

Isn't it ironic?

One of my favorite songs when I was a tween, I remember that "irony" meant only what Alanis sung about: forks and knives, crashing on your first airplane flight, that sort of stuff.

As an adult it is easy to find irony in almost any situation. A friend (who is also pregnant) was the first to point out some general ironies, including the fact that she hoped for a girl first and I a boy. Yup, she's having the boy and I, of course, am having the girl! Irony can sort of wear you down if you let it. i.e., Why don't things ever go my way? But I think it is more interesting and downright humorous! For example...

I was mowing the lawn the other day and I noticed as I got close to a group of quail that they all ran away. Not that I've never seen quail before but it occurred to me that they have wings! Why don't they just fly?!

The last couple of times that we have gone to make appointments for pedicures, it has snowed. Last week, right after a snowstorm, I walked out of the place with bright pink toes. And I couldn't even wear sandals to show them off to the world! (I did, however, wear sandals to church today and, as I told S, I couldn't stop staring at my feet!!)

Four hours ago I was talking to S and saying how I thought it was interesting that he had been with the fire service for over a year now and he still hadn't gone on any "cool" gory traumas. An hour and a half ago he called me to tell me that I had, in fact, jinxed him; he had just gotten back from his first real gory call. I didn't feel too bad. Firefighters (and apparently half of my coworkers) like that sort of thing.

Possibly the most ironic thing is that I've been complaining about being cooped up inside while the snow keeps coming. Today has been absolutely beautiful! And how have I spent it? Inside watching TV.

So it's true, irony is everywhere you look. Usually after pointing out an irony, I will say something like, "Isn't that ironic?" If the conversation is with S, he then continues to belt out, "It's like Rai-ai-aaiin..."

In case you haven't heard, we are having a...

GIRL!!!

I have told several people that I am concerned that my maternal instincts are so off before this baby is even born! The clues were there, I suppose, but I stubbornly held strict to the assurity that it was a boy. And I was wrong.

Several have asked if I'm okay with this change of events and I say ABSOLUTELY! I've had to adjust my way of thinking/planning a little bit but I am still really excited! Having a girl definately changes things. Pink instead of blue; My Little Pony instead of G.I. Joe; dance classes instead of peewee football (really thrilled about that one!!); sunbonnets instead of baseball caps; fairy parties instead of pirate parties...the list goes on and on. I would say "Barbie's Dream Corvette instead of Firetrucks" but I'm pretty sure she'll have both!

I've already put much thought into the different challenges we'll face raising a daughter first and I have to admit that sometimes I start to panic a little. (It doesn't help when people say things, like, oh, boys are so much easier to raise than girls...) However I try to remember that each stage of life is just that: a stage. And that as she grows, I will grow. That helps me feel better.

I already expected it, but this pregnancy has changed so much for S and I in only a week. I find myself staring at her ultrasound pictures in awe. As I've studied the one of her profile, I can see similarities between her, S, and I already and it is just the most incredible feeling I've had thus far. It has also made me impatient in the sense that I am so anxious to meet her in person and see what kind of cute little personality she develops!

(Cute little baby girl from openclipart.org.)

Guess who's a birthday boy?

S is having the ultimate of ultimate birthdays this week. Likely due to the fact that he is turning his lucky number (a pseudo golden birthday?), not only is it his birthday but it is his first day off of probation with the fire department. And the weather is supposed to be absolutely perfect that day. Oh yeah, and he gets to find out if this baby is a boy or a girl!!! A pretty great day in my opinion :)

So I thought to honor him (and slightly embarrass him), I would dedicate the rest of this post to him by highlighting all of the things that make him so great! (Sort of like, S: This is your Life!, E-Style.)

He is an incredibly hard worker. Not only that, but he is the type of person that will drop anything to help anyone. Just this weekend he spent several hours aerating people's lawns, traveling as far as Tooele, free of charge. Others aren't always as willing to drop what they are doing to help him in return, but that doesn't seem to phase him. He's just the kind of person that goes the extra mile. (Don't worry, the pic below is NOT a result of his aerating skills! This is when he replaced a broken valve at our cabin for my dad.)

He has an incredibly distinguished laugh. Put him in a crowded room with everyone laughing and I will be able to pick him out of the crowd.


He L-O-V-E-S Disneyworld and can't wait to go back!! (Hahaha, aww, come on it's not that bad!)
He has a unique way of pronouncing the words "Pillow," "Milk," and "Cookies." Next time you see him, say something like Hey Scott, don't spill the milk and cookies on your pillow! It will really get him going :)

He has a really good relationship with his parents, which I think is sooo important. They did a great job raising him and I am 100% sure that he will be a great dad himself.

He is Mr. Adventure. One of the few people I know who has no problem getting up at 4 in the morning in the freezing winter if it means he gets to go play in some powder that day.

He is also Mr. Domestic. S has been in more arguments at the fire station over who gets to vacuum than anything else (hence why his coworkers asked me to take a picture of him with this vacuum.) When I was visiting the station once, one of his coworkers asked if he was like this at home. I replied, "Yes, he is." Hey, I can think of worse things.
He has mad wake boarding skills...but he didn't always! It took him, like, 20 tries before he finally got up. But only someone as determined as he is would try 21 times until he got it right. Saying he is a determined person is an understatement!

He is a fisherman. And he doesn't think it's weird at all that I like to tag along (I've been the only girl fishing on a boat full of guys before and he thinks it's great!) He probably gets somewhat annoyed when I keep yelling, Hey, I got another one!!

I love that he likes to be as outdoorsy as I do. I don't know what I would do otherwise.

I actually think it's really fun to be super-fans of rivaling schools. It makes life interesting and gives someone bragging rights for awhile (it's definately been his year...though I was thrilled when the U got out in the first round of the tournament as well!)

Ironically, being a firefighter and all, the boy can sleep through ANYTHING! In fact, as I write this, he is probably zonked out watching another episode of Family Guy. I always let him sleep and he says, "Why didn't you wake me up?!" I stopped trying a looong time ago...

Let's face it: He's a hottie! I call this his calendar pose...

I don't know anyone else who can finish off a banana cream pie by himself. I was daring this year and made one from scratch for his birthday. Yes, that means crust, custard and even the whipped cream. I told him I was really nervous because he is very particular about his banana cream pies! He gave it rave reviews though so I could breathe a sigh of relief. I don't really care for banana cream pie that much so I said he could take whatever was left over to the station to share. He gave me this sheepish look and said, Um, I will if there is any left.

So there you have it. Just a few reasons why I think S is a great guy and deserves to have a great birthday!