What is it with taking family photos in November?

I have to admit in the three years that Michael and I have been together we have paid folks to take our pictures three times: Engagement/Wedding and then two years of family photos. And for some reason I can never think to get it done prior to a few days before or after Thanksgiving. This year was just the same--freezing outside and of course I am determined to get the perfect photo for our handmade Christmas cards.

Below are a few of our favorites. Thanks Channing for the wonderful job and for going out in the cold with us!

Homemade Christmas Cards

Okay it is that time of year again--and yes they are homemade. I need your address for christmas cards. Send me an email at z_beth_2002@yahoo.com

TODAY Show: Here I come

It isn't a secret, I have a crush on Matt Lauer from the TODAY Show. It's true an older man makes me flush. It's okay Michael agrees with my crush in fact he encourages it every morning when he turns on the TV to wake me up for work.

My dream is finally coming true. I am going to the TODAY Show and there is a pretty BIG possibility that I may be meeting him as I will get backstage credentials. That's right I got my company on the TODAY Show. More details to come...

But for sure I will have a story to tell about my experience with Matt.

Tune in you may see me out on the plaza.

Halloween at Work!

http://www.youtube.com/user/allisonnicole007#p/a

http://www.youtube.com/user/allisonnicole007#p/a/u/1/eydDQwQ8IAI

Guts and Seeds: Pumpking Carving at the Gray House

We carved 2 pumpkins last night. A large one which, Michael took over and a smaller one which turned into mine. Remy was only excited for the first 5 miutes (he does have the attention span of his mom after all). And plus Remy was more excited to get a sugar rush from the Halloween candy I had bought earlier in the day. I found a handful of items that he could actually eat with Skittles being his favorite of the choices. He was seriously bouncing off the walls last night after eating his candy, jumping on his bed, etc. It was pretty hilarious.

Michael looking a little slimmer, so proud of his choice to eat healthier with me. 15 pounds lost 10 more to go--cutting out carbs and sugar has been a miracle weightloss helper. Although Michael is still enjoying his coke every now and then. And Michael can now hear (BETTER) he got fitted for a hearing aid yesterday and so far so good. We just have to figure out how to pay for it now, they are expensive and our insurance doesn't cover it--$2100 just for one ear.

Yep--he got it!

Yep, Remington has the H1N1 flu. We took him to the emergency room Saturday night because he was running a temp of 103 and we couldn't break it. After 2 hours the doctor told us that he has the h1n1 and gave us anti-viral prescription. We are about 5 days in and Remy is doing fine, his fever has finally stopped for the time being.

After days of having his temperature taken, Remington decided he wanted to care for him Elmo. Here are a few pictures of his doctor skills. He even knows to look at it after he is done. Seriously could our child get any smarter?

Speaking of smart. Remington can sing his ABC's to the letter G. He knows just about everyone in our families name. Hearing him say Michael is priceless. And he can sing several songs with Bumble Bee, Happy Birthday and Popcorn Popping being his favorites. He also knows a variety of objects, when we are out in stores he will tell me what color things are. Considering he has a mom and dad that are home very little--he is doing well.

Gosh Darn H1N1

*Warning you are about to read a venting session of an overworked mother of one, who has extreme guilt about working and having a kid--but it is what it is*

Having a child who is allergic to eggs, nuts, shellfish and asthmatic isn't very easy. I just spent over 1 1/2 hours today trying to figure out where I could get Remington vacinated for H1N1. (The shot kind is in Utah, for any moms with kids under age 2 who couldn't get the nasal spray. Big vaccination fair this weekend, check the SLC Health Department Web site for more info. PLEASE GET YOUR KID VACCINATED, since we can't at this time)

Apparently there isn't a single place in the WHOLE STATE OF UTAH that can currently give it to him because of his egg allergy--even though he meets the age guidelines to be given priority for it, he is in contact with other kids constantly (due to daycare) and all of his doctor's are encouraging him to get it because he does have asthma and is at greater risk. NOT even the allergist who gave him his normal flu shot--which he did fine with becuase he was being supervised. The health departments in Utah have the shots currently and they will not give to a egg allergy kid because of side effects and the inability to give the vaccine properly to a kid with a potential allergy. The health department expects to start distributing to pediatrician offices in the near future, but no confirmed date or at least that is what the Director of the Salt Lake County Health Deparment said. (Yep called him too!) However, the health department currently can't distribute to my allergist because of legal implications. So what's a working mom to do who can't stay at home and keep her kid safe from the germs of other sick kids? And to make it worse it seems like people who are sick don't feel the needs to stay away from others. Or at least that is my experience--a kid in his daycare was sent home yesterday for having a 104 degree temperature and is now being treated for swine flu.

My gosh Obama care, I can't even get a H1N1 vaccination given to my allergist so Remington can get it. (believe me I even offered to pick up the vaccine from the health department and take it to the allergist, and NOPE 'cause of legal issues) Seriously this is messed up, but for those of you who can get it. GET IT at least then you will be one less person who can spread it to my baby who is sitting in daycare today with a huge sign on his forehead that says "Please give me swine flu, since you were eligible to get vaccinated and didn't".

Oh the joys of being a mom and having to let your baby go out in the germy world without a protective shield. Okay I am done venting.