The Rain

OMG.

More from the Scush Files

The Bean goes pop art.

Natalie's first swing ride! (Of course, she spent most of the time staring at the other kids, babies, and dogs, but she did seem to enjoy the gentle swinging motion.)

She's a messy eater.

Keith shows Natalie the benefits of good oral hygiene.

New Firsts!

In addition to a new lateral incisor (I know the name 'cuz I looked it up--it's the tooth to the side of your two front teeth), Natalie has embarked upon a few more "firsts":

• She rode in the cart for the first time today! Thanks to those stabilizing core muscles, she is very steady when sitting. This prompted me to use the totally adorable cart cover that Leen sent to me months ago. It was awesome! Natalie and I took Costco by storm and she was amazed at all the sights, sounds, and smells (samples!)

• The Bean ate an apple slice with the help of her "baby Kong" (that's what Ali calls the mesh bag for its dog toy ability to store food inside). We have been giving her ice in this ingenious invention for teething with great results, but today, she got to experience some solid food! She loved it, chewing and sucking with all her might. Sure, she probably only got 2 or 3 calories out of it, but the enjoyment it provided to us both was priceless!
• Scush now falls asleep on her own with little help from us. With the help of many experts' suggestions, we go through a short ritual before naps and at bedtime and that baby doesn't even cry anymore! She can also be soothed fairly quickly with just a short visit to her room. This is our favorite first, as it allows us to have more sleep and we are comforted by the knowledge that Natalie has the tools necessary to put herself down when she awakens in the night.
• The nanny has arrived! Katie, our new nanny, started this week. Since Toni will be giving birth in about a month, it was time to move on and we couldn't be luckier to find Katie. She has loads of experience and visits us most days with a 15-month-old named Ellie, who captivates Natalie every time she sees her.

Natalie learns to play patty-cake

This bear is one that Natalie's Auntie Bev gave to her. It plays patty-cake with you and claps its hands while it chants the familiar rhyme. Apparently, Natalie really wanted to get in on the action. She tipped over the bear and began beating it happily. Funny stuff.

Utterly Exhausted

Keith and I are vowing not to go anywhere next year. I'm sure we'll recant that statement, but after driving all over SoCal and back again with a baby, we're not relishing the prospect of doing it again during our short two-week break. This is compounded by the fact that my birthday is tomorrow and we're going back to San Diego to see John Mayer (FANTASTIC birthday gift from Dad & Yvette).

Don't get me wrong. I don't mean to complain. I'm just sayin' that we're tired. Really, really tired.

In other news, Natalie danced for the first time today and she's been giving hugs for the past few days. Totally and completely awesome. Love that little Bean.

My Review of San Diego Chargers Womens Custom Short Sleeve T-Shirt

Originally submitted at NFL

You'll look great supporting your favorite team in this curve-hugging women's custom short-sleeve cotton t-shirt. It's fitted to accentuate your feminine shape and designed with your choice of personalized heat-sealed graphics on the chest, back, and sleeves.

San Diego Chargers Womens Custom Short Sleeve T-Shirt

Pretty design, but fits small

By Chargers Fan from Yorba Linda, CA on 12/22/2009

 

4out of 5

Pros: Shows Off Team Pride, Stylish Design, Authentic Look

Best Uses: Anytime, Around Town, At The Game

Describe Yourself: Sports Enthusiast

The shirt looks amazing, but the fit is very tight (I bought a medium thinking it would fit like my other medium shirts). The material is pretty heavy, which is nice, but it is also not terribly stretchy. Since they don't allow you to return personalized merchandise, I want to warn other buyers to buy this product bigger than you might ordinarily order.

(legalese)

Grammar Rant

It's the holiday season and that's the usual time for apostrophe nonsense. As such, I'm here to set those offenders straight. Yes, it's snarky, but I'm an English teacher at heart and feel the need to make our fellow Americans look smarter, if at all possible.

Apostrophes are used for various purposes, but most often to indicate a contraction (as in don't for do not) or ownership (Is that Sharleen's sweater?). Recently, I've been noting that people are using contractions broadly to indicate several of something. Please note that apostrophes are NEVER used to make a noun plural, including last names. See my examples of correct apostrophe usage below and feel free to use this rule all year long.

Apostrophes used in ownership

We're going to Melanie Carmona's house for dinner.

OR

We're going to the Carmonas' house for dinner. (note that since there are several Carmonas, I've attached an apostrophe to the end)

We're not going to Tiger Woods' house because he was a philandering idiot and now is facing an ugly divorce. (note that since Tiger's last name naturally ends in an s, I've added an apostrophe at the end to indicate he owns his house. This is more common than the Chicago style of adding an apostrophe s, but that is technically correct, as well)

OR

We're not going to the Woodses' house...

Correct use of plurals

Merry Christmas from The Carmonas!

The Carmonas wish you a Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Love, The Carmonas

OR

Merry Christmas from The Woodses! (I know that looks weird, but it's technically correct. If you don't like that option, you can do this: Merry Christmas from The Woods Family)