tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50083458648603408952024-03-12T22:49:20.478-05:00The Four CrooksRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-5390676570437580812008-06-26T11:01:00.003-05:002008-06-26T12:39:17.891-05:00How Abby Escapes from Lily<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/SGO-aUQ5OLI/AAAAAAAAAME/QiJ6s2o8Oe8/s1600-h/IMG_0445.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216222152750610610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/SGO-aUQ5OLI/AAAAAAAAAME/QiJ6s2o8Oe8/s320/IMG_0445.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/SGO-ay7jX0I/AAAAAAAAAMM/rgurK9PihfQ/s1600-h/IMG_0444.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216222160982597442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/SGO-ay7jX0I/AAAAAAAAAMM/rgurK9PihfQ/s320/IMG_0444.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/SGO-b2cX9QI/AAAAAAAAAMU/g4NaNZ2ny8M/s1600-h/IMG_0446.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216222179105436930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/SGO-b2cX9QI/AAAAAAAAAMU/g4NaNZ2ny8M/s320/IMG_0446.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/SGO-cVMJO3I/AAAAAAAAAMc/siOjHn0DYdM/s1600-h/IMG_0450.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216222187358862194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/SGO-cVMJO3I/AAAAAAAAAMc/siOjHn0DYdM/s320/IMG_0450.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-7398797446825098902008-06-25T23:10:00.003-05:002008-06-26T12:39:37.042-05:00Top 10 Things I Have Found in Lily's MouthOkay, what is the deal with babies and putting stuff in their mouths!?!? I did not encounter this with Abby, but apparently for Lily, her mouth is her 3rd hand... Here are the top 10 things I have found in her mouth this week:<br /><br />1. 2 magnets off the frig (small, square)<br />2. Wad of purple lint off her shag rug (this is almost daily)<br />3. Piece of masking tape (huh?!?!?)<br />4. Small leaf<br />5. Small piece of greenery from a vase of roses<br />6. Wadded receipt that went through the washer and dryer (found while I was folding clothes)<br />7. Small ball of thread<br />8. Small rubberband<br />9. Dirt<br />10. Streamer of green Easter basket grass (she was crawling around with it trailing out of her mouth)<br /><br />I have really tried to keep my floors clean, so I think this kid is going to need a muzzle...Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-23359076199767534912008-06-25T22:25:00.003-05:002008-06-25T23:04:16.400-05:00The Four WORST Words for a Mom to Hear<div>Okay... They are probably not the worst - but they come close. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>"Mom, my head itches." </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Mom, my head itches. Those four words will go down in infamy in the Crook house, and it comes down to one word: lice. (It gives me the shakes to even type it.) Oh, poor Abby. And what luck for the kid with the most hair ON THE PLANET (and her mommy). What 5-year-old wants to sit still for SIX hours while her mother looks at every single, stinking strand God gave her? (I think I am going to add lice to my list of other assorted creepy crawlies I am going to ask God why He created...) </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>When we first discoved it (or them - GAG!), I immediately looked up on the web how to treat them naturally (of course). WHY IN THE WORLD DO THEY PUT A PICTURE ON EVERY WEBSITE!?!? GAG, PUKE, GAG! Anyway, I digress... So, the first night Abby and I spent the night with our heads soaked in olive oil and tea tree oil and wrapped in plastic wrap. Yup, we both smelled like a bad salad. (BTW, I didn't get them, but I was SO FREAKED out that I slept in the stuff anyway and kept bugging - no pun intended - Keith to look at my head.) Let's just say that this "problem" is hard to remedy. We have tried all kinds of things, including - embarrassing to say - dying Abby's hair. (Crystal Brown by Feria for anyone who likes the color... :)) I took my poor baby into Walgreens to pick out a close color. At first she wanted to be a blonde... Mommy said NO. :)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Abby has been a real trooper . I have questioned every head scratch, and she has had her head looked at more than should be allowed by law. (Even typing this makes me itch...) We even had to "quarantine"all her webkinz in trash bags - poor girl. (She is counting down the days for them to come out and play.)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Alas, we tried to make light of the situation by taking some funny pictures of her hair while it was processing. (Don't worry: no bugs.) This has definitely been an experience... I now am an expert on the life cycle and habits of a disgusting little critter (certainly not planned - ugh), so if you encounter them, you know who to call. </div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216035164994325874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/SGMUWMluzXI/AAAAAAAAALs/Wn9VA1Wi1kM/s320/IMG_0235.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216035172351560338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/SGMUWn_1SpI/AAAAAAAAAL0/9-mC8JlIn58/s320/IMG_0378.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216035180526737042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/SGMUXGc8lpI/AAAAAAAAAL8/TaaZb6EEKR4/s320/IMG_0379.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Off to grab the olive oil... just in case...</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-26857237914176808032008-05-08T07:49:00.004-05:002008-05-08T09:30:35.827-05:00SplashWell, I had just finished washing dishes when Lily came crawling through the kitchen, and being in the washing mood and seeing that Lily looked a little grimy from the floors, I decided to toss her in the sink as well. (Don't worry, I changed the water.) After the initial apprehension, she loved the sink - especially the sprayer on the faucet. She looked so cute that I had to snap some pictures and a quick video. :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197991392450187586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/SCL5oZyIEUI/AAAAAAAAALg/X4_u_cpVIOs/s320/IMG_0364.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">WARNING: This video below contains nudity...</div><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyD1030LjN4zBAD5atgd1zWDnDlYnPtts40ju6mSiAteIO7Ik6AFdX7DTQGYPozwpjsU1xMCbzs6JLyqWrF5w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-64131522162982889422008-05-05T15:17:00.004-05:002008-05-05T15:51:21.865-05:00On the MoveIt started out about a month ago... On the hands and knees, then the rocking, and then what I like to call the "on-land butterfly stroke". Well, now it is official: crawling at 6 months. I am not ready for this on many levels, but the greatest drawback is definitely the state of my floors, as she finds every little piece of dirt and other assundries on them. (On that note, I truly believe Satan invented white tile to torment me!) Alas, I guess I am going to have to pick up the broom more often. If only I could make Lily an outfit out of dust cloths and string mops... :)<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzoi30T8s7HtgLnboIXVppfDWLIJqHIsw92waL9jhBRbHLfMCvlQO3uqdR52n0gMeaP78WwGAMLN7xAfxXtyw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-46411302305429768582008-03-19T17:05:00.003-05:002008-03-19T17:39:56.982-05:00Cheap EntertainmentSisters and babies provide much cheap entertainment. Apparently, Lily finds Abby's harsh treatment of her bunny to be hysterical. (Poor bunny...)<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz9w6RgztHrw936TWREA7Mm0OQh0_Wzx1obxY0a-HluNf-SoHHLmMychnXB5U3v2VDKWTPdcCVhibJdFuvP' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-14849399969265555462008-03-19T17:02:00.002-05:002008-03-19T17:04:37.861-05:00Two Teeth<div>Apparently my children sprout teeth early. Here are Lily's first two... :)</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179576885468316210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/R-GNvBkpwjI/AAAAAAAAALQ/I-sOZbLmy50/s320/IMG_0273.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-33504795525488879172008-03-19T16:36:00.003-05:002008-03-19T16:59:24.042-05:00My Daily Lunch DateWell, well... It looks like Lily is coming into her own, amazing us with all sorts of pleasantries. We have gone from just spitting to daily fussing and turning toys and other small objects into clubs... especially at lunch. Care to join us? :)<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzzdYi_oq1UeAiLz3FTOBencLa0y3w3loOaWdyOkgI4WD2PKkDl9kA7XjBrq8AUIg3UVfOgLFzC4f2DPSTxJQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-84683713356139007142008-03-19T16:15:00.005-05:002008-03-19T16:36:27.214-05:00Home Improvement Madness<div>Oh, I have been a bad blogger, but I do have my reasons... Lately we have taken on our fair share of home improvement projects, but the latest two take the cake: building shelves (pulled out an old trash compactor - still works - any takers? :)) in the kitchen and installing a water filtration system. We are neither carpenters nor plumbers, but we gave it the ol' college try. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>After much trial and error (and lots of paintable caulk), the shelves are done. (Lean left to view...)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179568935483851250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/R-GGgRkpwfI/AAAAAAAAAKw/ZAEB-19L_ug/s320/IMG_0253.JPG" border="0" /> The plumbing project has not been an easy one. We got the new faucet installed pretty easily, so we were feeling good about ourselves until... leaks. Ugh. More tightening, more teflon tape... still leaks. <sigh>Then there was the issue of getting a 3/8 inch male fitting with a tubing connection to attach the system to our refrigerator... It was pretty hilarious finding the part in Home Depot as I was practically the only female in the place - with a baby on hip no less - in a sea of male contractors as I navigated around the plumbing section. (I found out that I need a 1/4 inch compression fitting... Yup, I'm a plumber now!) </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179568944073785874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/R-GGgxkpwhI/AAAAAAAAALA/BS65CANCKrk/s320/IMG_0257.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179569249016463906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/R-GGyhkpwiI/AAAAAAAAALI/qk7oxntERHg/s320/IMG_0256.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Well, we finally got it all set up to discover another leak - from a part I cannot fix. Alas, the company is sending us a new part, and we may have to do it all over again. Oh well, at least we have learned a few things...</div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179568939778818562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/R-GGghkpwgI/AAAAAAAAAK4/RxdYzmT12VI/s320/IMG_0262.JPG" border="0" /></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-75260066233668948882008-02-06T16:57:00.000-06:002008-02-06T18:52:44.952-06:00Watch Out... She SpitsApparently camels and Lily have the same past time: spitting. She has discovered in the last couple days that it is really fun to turn plain ol' drool into a bubbling, gurgling mess. This can be a little unnerving when you bend down and smile at her, as she tries her best to spray said spit all over the place... Alas, she finds such joy in it that she is happy as a little lark just laying there and spitting to her heart's content. I guess we Crooks are entertained by such simple things... :)<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxBlIjsFAcAvBKOFULJvhoPjDFYJvNU2PwCBLlnrBrO6ZBkxCEymK2x9buCUIG7NTxkJXrL8zwuIHOhquFR4Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-32733062704526266642008-02-06T14:08:00.000-06:002008-02-06T16:52:32.538-06:00Roll-y Poll-y Lily<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz5LzYtti-PI-dH0jwCsiBbqwtYOoapC5szTT4ocMxRgDKx0t6wj9pbTzQ6OwIcUEYueMe1iPs2z-PMTMC7gw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-27586769113731264932008-01-31T17:49:00.000-06:002008-01-31T18:44:19.620-06:00Me and Katie Holmes... Ha!Well, apparently I have a 70% match with Katie Holmes...<br /><br />I found this site where you can have a photo of you scanned, and it will show which celebs you look most like... (Please let it not be Richard Simmons...) Hey, what else am I going to do while I feed Lily!? :) Check out my celebrity look-alikes down below. Also, you can see who your children look like most: you or your spouse. Apparently, the debate continues with our family... a perfectly even split between both our kids. :)Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-26478159095664316022008-01-17T07:29:00.000-06:002008-01-17T16:06:25.650-06:00Top 10 Ways to Tell You Have Small Children10. You refer to needing to use the restroom as "having to go potty".<br />9. You feel you have accomplished great things that day if you get a shower.<br />8. Your house looks more like a toy store.<br />7. You clap when someone goes number 2...<br />6. The contents of your purse could feed 10 children.<br />5. The new minivan that someone down the street got looks strangely appealing.<br />4. Every time you leave the house it looks like you are moving.<br />3. You do enough laundry a week to clothe a small army.<br />2. Your alarm clock calls you Mommy.<br />1. You can hold a baby, prepare a bottle, make a lunch, dress a child and talk on the phone - all at the same time.<br /><br />Go here if you need a laugh, especially if you are a mom... <a href="http://www.anitarenfroe.com/video_02/video_clips_main.htm">http://www.anitarenfroe.com/video_02/video_clips_main.htm</a>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-60576385839135242042008-01-08T19:02:00.000-06:002008-01-08T19:36:17.992-06:00I Must Be a Marsupial<div>...And I really thought I was human...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It was one of those days. No matter how asleep Lily appeared to be, her eyes instantly popped open - like the exact opposite of one of those "sleeping" baby dolls - every time her little back grazed the mattress. Sometimes I got the big grin, with the "nice try, Mommy" look. Other times I got the " you better pick me up or I am going to wail" face. What's a busy mom to do?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Enter the life-saver: the bjorn.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Just strap her on in her little "pouch"and away we go. We have cleaned, cooked (which is a bit precarious), taken ornaments off the Christmas tree (the holiday that never seems to end at the Crooks) - you name it. This wasn't really how I pictured my new exercise plan for the new year, but hey, weight training is good. :) </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Little did I know that I was going to carry her on the outside like this for months after carrying her on the inside for what seemed like an eternity. I now have a new-found respect for kangaroos... :)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153284194658318898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/R4Qkq_k-ejI/AAAAAAAAAE0/BdZY0sPpATs/s320/IMG_0142.JPG" border="0" /></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-22057095077276737922008-01-04T16:30:00.000-06:002008-01-04T16:33:53.635-06:00Our Newest Tax Deduction (or credit as Keith corrects!)<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/R360M_k-egI/AAAAAAAAAEc/QZpn39Z0QHs/s1600-h/lily+tax.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151753159076379138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/R360M_k-egI/AAAAAAAAAEc/QZpn39Z0QHs/s320/lily+tax.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/R360Nfk-ehI/AAAAAAAAAEk/fyUP7NENpJg/s1600-h/smiling+lily+tax.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151753167666313746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/R360Nfk-ehI/AAAAAAAAAEk/fyUP7NENpJg/s320/smiling+lily+tax.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/R360Nvk-eiI/AAAAAAAAAEs/a9oo72zXki0/s1600-h/lily+close+(2)+3+x+5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151753171961281058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/R360Nvk-eiI/AAAAAAAAAEs/a9oo72zXki0/s320/lily+close+(2)+3+x+5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-67004349867533409022008-01-04T10:10:00.000-06:002008-01-04T16:36:38.372-06:00A Webkinz Christmas<div align="left"><br /></div><br /><div align="left">Oh, Webkinz... If you have preschool or elementary age children, you know what I am talking about. Stuffed animals with computer codes to play with them virtually online - clothes, rooms, games - you name it. They even have a gem of the day that you can "win". One is called the Booger Nugget... (My first question was if it is green. It's not. Must have been a guy programmer that added that one... yuck.) Anyway, I digress... Abby now has SIXTEEN of these things. Oh, brother... Let's just say she is a BIG fan. :) </div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151668269047773666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/R35m_vk-eeI/AAAAAAAAAEM/O7vi8Z0kq4s/s320/ab+with+webinz.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Abby and Her Webkinz<br /></p><br /><br /><br />We ended up heading for Dallas for Christmas (last minute decision). We were afraid that our entertainment skills would be sub-par for Abs, and she would much rather play with all of the cousins. She did. Plus, our Lily is sleeping about 10 hours or so at night (what a good baby!), so we thought we could swing it. We saw over 70 family members over the course of 3 days. Man, our families like to procreate...<br /><br />Now, I am trying to put away presents and the dreaded Christmas decorations. What excitement to put them up, what angst to take them down. Maybe I will get them all down by February!<br /><br />Hope you and yours had a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151668969127442930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/R35nofk-efI/AAAAAAAAAEU/rCfPMlsX94M/s320/lil+ab+christmas+day.jpg" border="0" />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-23586792384986969432007-12-12T15:55:00.000-06:002007-12-12T16:16:42.492-06:00Lily Movie<p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxDe0LjcuDPvdpMfYNauJINBHI__DUwom2bJ5I-ZrXA2poRDburaNAh78LLJeijnC5pIry-wLSD0CbYBZSTYg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-50263736418481916682007-12-12T07:42:00.000-06:002007-12-12T07:48:03.658-06:00The Shave<p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwY_k_uNHR3N87n9-o-gVQ7gAYw_eZc5zr1KMOiI0dy5gyC290XRgc7hWxN8d67J5-iIGUlmj0XLxPoWXOyHA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-20105849141242096892007-12-10T17:54:00.000-06:002007-12-11T10:04:15.399-06:00The Accidental Christmas VideoWhen reviewing the pictures on my digital camera I came across this hilarious video, which comes with a story...<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwvux-TX385B-TMgubpB5HtpXq7AQlPjZuS3S1vP393V5B4ST8kK9b5PHSqimeHzLwWeYMvafdJiXp-wOSmag' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><br />Poor Mom... Technology can get the best of us... After the last song of Abby's Christmas program, as seen in a previous post, they kept the preschooler tidal wave on the risers for just a minute to allow parents to take pictures. I wasn't about to get into that friendly mob of parents, antsy siblings and cameras, so my mom volunteered to brave the masses to get some choice pics of Abby. I hastily handed her my camera like a batton in a relay race as Mom dashed into the mob seeking that special, Kodak moment. She came back a couple minutes later claiming she got some decent shots of Ab. I took my camera and crammed it into my back pocket as we made a beeline for the back entrance, and I quickly forgot about looking at those choice pics.<br /><br /><br /><br />Well, when I was going to download my pictures, I noticed that I had several videos, which struck me as odd. I only remembered myself taking one... As I reviewed the goofy videos, it dawned on me: Mom's choice pics! Apparently in my haste, I had left the camera in movie mode, and poor Mom dashed off and accidentally took choice video of the backs of heads, pews and lots of parents' - ah hem - "lower extremities"! Oh well. At least we got the funny video, a view of the choice pic at the end and a lovely serenade of <em>We Wish You a Merry Christmas</em> by dear Mom. :)Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-9575645221423208142007-12-09T22:08:00.001-06:002007-12-09T22:09:51.052-06:00Jesus, Joseph and Mary<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/R1y75IkZs-I/AAAAAAAAAD8/xCvWAqx84TQ/s1600-h/holy+family.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142191464777364450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/R1y75IkZs-I/AAAAAAAAAD8/xCvWAqx84TQ/s320/holy+family.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/R1y78YkZs_I/AAAAAAAAAEE/LIHnTSPiBr8/s1600-h/holy+family2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142191520611939314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/R1y78YkZs_I/AAAAAAAAAEE/LIHnTSPiBr8/s320/holy+family2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-18635291783155472772007-12-09T21:04:00.000-06:002008-01-08T18:56:11.864-06:00Our Stint as THE (Not So) Holy FamilyWhew! This was a tiring but good weekend here for the Crooks. We - me (Rebecca), Keith and Lily - played the holy family this year in our big Christmas production at church. We did the 3:00 performances on Saturday and Sunday. Lily did great as Jesus (we called her "Jesette") and did not cry a bit. I was impressed by her performance! :) We really enjoy being in the production, as it is a great time to hang out with some neat folks. Lily was her baby diva self (my little fashionista in her legwarmers) and survived all the attention and what I call the "grandmother gauntlet" - a pack of grandmothers not shy about wanting to hold that baby!<br /><br />Getting into those costumes was a little challenging, but we made it. I had the hardest time getting the headpiece on, and Keith's Joseph costume was made for a 7-foot Joseph. After using what seemed like 30 safety pins to get that headpiece to stay on and tucking Keith's robe into his shorts, we were ready to tackle Lily's "costume", which consisted of a little triangle of fabric and a big piece of cloth to swaddle her in. Enter 30 more safety pins... I don't know how they did it in "the day", but I bet it wasn't the way I did it. Poor Lily laid there wiggling and looking at me funny (I probably looked like a big, blue blob with eyes!) as I struggled to make that thing look like a diaper. By that time I started to feel a bit of panic rise up in my chest as we had to high-tail it upstairs to get in the manger, but I didn't want her costume to fall off (Keith held her up at the end of the medley) and reveal her lovely Kirkland brand diapers! I just added a few more safety pins for good measure, and we sprinted to our place. During our jog I noticed that I had not taken off my red and green toenail polish (Merry Christmas! How festive...) Oh, well. I just tucked my feet under the robe. :)<br /><br />It was a great view of the action from where we stood, as we tried to look "holy". The added bonus was that the camels and especially the elephant did not "relieve" themselves on the stage this year! Wahoo! I must confess that I prayed every time that elephant lifted her tail... :)Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-37188613149084851972007-12-07T12:28:00.000-06:002007-12-07T14:53:01.771-06:00Lily Speaks! (at only 7 weeks)Okay, I just had to post this video. This is of Lily today at 7 weeks, and she talks, folks! (break out the record books... :) ) Now, I know that I am partial (just slightly), but I distinctly heard her say "hello" and "doing good." I say "hello", then she says it, then she says "doing good." See for yourselves by checking out the video below:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyZE-5IybRLDj5LVS77qwht9n_IZbouhMKp3LEEPPuSaM33AaVXpMHON8ZGPQQvvROwjmRbPYo1fjkf1jE3sA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></p><br />So...what do you think? You heard it, too? :) Must be a brilliant child. Ha! At least it is a cute video. :)Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-13649399550861863092007-12-07T09:47:00.000-06:002007-12-07T11:19:24.810-06:00Christmas Cheer with the Little People<p align="center"><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwGJJk8UmNXF_nOEtsz3vnXs88qBlW7h6fKLMjlmAAv5AjKHgNHt_Uum4-FB6VBx9uj0mkxsmkEKLTUuEgmQQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p align="center">(Abby is on the top row - middle - with the most hair. :) )<br /><br /></p><br /><br /><br />Yesterday was Abby's Christmas program, and I must say she did great. :) Last year she hardly sang, but this year with much coaching (read "bribing") she was a trooper. Imagine risers with about 100 preschoolers - ages 3 to 5 years - and an emormous herd of family folks collectively armed with hundreds of thousands of recording devices. It was quite a scene. Lily and I stood on the side (it was in the chapel) and snapped a few pictures here and there but mainly listened to the singing. It was a short progam, but understandably so! Those kids looked like a preschooler tidal wave on those risers that could crash at any minute, and the only thing separating them from us was about 5 adults! Let's sing and get out of Dodge, folks! :)<br /><br /><br />After the program we took some good pictures in front of the trees in the atrium with the girls. (makes me regret the ones I paid out the wahzoo for at Picture People... oh, well) Of course, the same deal holds with Abby: for every "good" one there must be a "silly". :) Enjoy!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141263014030061202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/R1lveMAdrpI/AAAAAAAAADM/tgnK2jQIpvI/s320/IMG_0027.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141263005440126594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/R1lvdsAdroI/AAAAAAAAADE/v06Za179blM/s320/IMG_0026.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141265539470831282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/R1lxxMAdrrI/AAAAAAAAADc/Sakb-pvQINE/s320/IMG_0023.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141263026914963106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/R1lve8AdrqI/AAAAAAAAADU/Jviv0BdasHk/s320/Abby+Lily+close.jpg" border="0" />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-32212090912687150062007-12-03T14:05:00.000-06:002007-12-03T14:20:53.615-06:00If Cloning Were Ethical...I have decided that I need a clone. Make that two clones. Well, we better make it three. One to take care of children and the house. One to take care of the husband, and one to do all Christmas decorating and wrapping. Three clones. Then I could send my real self to Hawaii! Aloha!!!<br /><br />Honestly, I would like to do all these things myself (including the trip to Hawaii!). I am discovering that as a mother of two - one being new - this is a difficult task. Do you know how much laundry this crew makes? GEEZ!!! I pratically need a folk lift to get it all to the laundry room. Having a baby adds about 3 loads a week minimum. Fun times. Something has to go undone. Apparently it is cleaning my house! At least the kids are dressed, fed and loved - hopefully the husband, too! If I had one request to God these days, it would be that he would allow me to grow a third arm! :)Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008345864860340895.post-72514918533471681612007-12-03T13:55:00.000-06:002007-12-07T15:08:28.315-06:00Holiday MadnessHello, all! It's been a while since I posted. Well, apparently I am not so good at this blog stuff...<br /><br /><br /><br />Oh, the holidays... The family gatherings, the wonderful parties, lights and Christmas trees... and the absolute mad rush to get everything done!!! If only Christmas lights on your home were fashionable all year...<br /><br /><br /><br />On another note, we had a good Thanksgiving visiting family and introducing our little Lilypad to everyone. Here is a picture of Keith and Lily with her grandfather and great grandfather - pretty neat. :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139840138609536610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_oVqYZDjkEUg/R1RhX8AdrmI/AAAAAAAAAC0/YaHLZm9iHus/s320/CIMG0774.JPG" border="0" />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978559211858297904noreply@blogger.com0