Newness is fun

OK, so I finally decided it's time to set up a real blog so I can keep my friends and family informed on the goings-on in my life. Jen may be "guest blogging" on here sometimes as well. I used to blog on myspace a lot, but since no one really uses myspace anymore, I figured it was time to do this. I think doing this will be fun, but we will see. I don't know how often I will be blogging, probably when I have something to say. I may review books, movies, albums, bands, or anything else that tickles my fancy. And yes I just used "tickle my fancy", so sue me. Well, don't because I don't really have all that much of value and you wouldn't get much. Just a bunch of student loan debt.

Everything is going pretty well. I have been very busy with work this past semester. I had a bunch of papers to write and things to grade and stuff to do. It has slowed down somewhat now its the summer and has freed me up to do some more writing and research. I enjoy seeing my patients at the mental health center. I have been much more focused and attentive the past few weeks and it has enabled me to get a lot more done. I have a conference coming up soon in Salt Lake City and I am looking forward to that. It will be a very good learning experience for me (I hope).

Rebekah is now officially a year old. Where has the time gone? I don't know. She is becoming more of a little girl and less of a baby. She definitely has her own personality and wants. She has started dancing while sitting down and, although she isn't walking quite yet, she is getting very close. She is keeping Daddy and Mommy very busy chasing her and keeping her entertained. Our new nanny has been working out well. She is very good with Rebekah and takes her places. Rebekah has started to miss Mommy (not so much Daddy) when she is leaving in the morning to go to work, but our nanny says she gets over it pretty quickly. She has also started to say some words like mama, dada, and dog. She also has started to recognize many more words and can tell you where Daddy's nose is, and where her belly button is. She can also say "moo" when asked what a cow says. We had a birthday party for her, but it was just family and everyone had a good time. Rebekah had no idea what was going on and didn't like the cake, but I think she enjoyed all the attention. The newest adventure with her is that we are trying to cut out formula and bottles, so this will be a challenge. She had a pediatrician appt. last week and got a clean bill of health as well as a couple immunizations. She weighs in at a little over 23 lbs. and is 32 inches long (tall?).

Jen is still working for Rite-Aid and she has a new partner who seems to be working out for her. I think she likes working, but would much rather be at home with Rebekah. She is a very good mom and I am lucky to have her raising our children. Our relationship is even stronger now with the baby and we try to make some time for us to go out and have a date night. We recently saw the new Star Trek movie and it is highly recommended, even if you aren't a fan of Star Trek. Rebekah got a pool for her birthday (thanks Gramma Geri!) but it is quite large (10 ft. x 3 ft.) and we are able to get in it with her and cool off. She also got a whole host of other toys which sing songs or make noise, or sing and dance (Elmo live! is the first sign of the apocalypse and the machines are going to rise up against us. It is way too smart for its own good.). Jen and I also had birthdays which went well, but we didn't really exchange gifts. Just another year older. I only have one more year before I am officially out of my 20's. Man I am getting old.

Jen, Rebekah, and I are going to be in and around Syracuse, NY in the next couple weeks. Jen has one cousin who is getting married and another who is graduating from high school. Almost no one in Jen's family from NY has seen Rebekah in person, so it will be an adventure for her. I am sure she will be shy initially, but will eventually warm up to everyone. We are also going to see some of our close friends from college since it has been forever since we have seen them. It'll be good to catch up in person. The only part about the trip I am dreading is the airplane rides. There and back we will have to keep Rebekah entertained without her being able to crawl around. This is going to be fun!

The last couple days have been pretty rainy here, but now it has cleared out and I think Rebekah and I will go for a walk. Well, I will be walking and she will be in a stroller. But it will be nice to get outside in the warm weather.

Just two more random thoughts: You can be overwhelmed or underwhelmed, but can you ever be just whelmed? and I can be dishevelled, but what about shevelled? I don't know. Maybe you all have an idea. Also, drop me a line and let me know what you think of the blog or what you would like to see on here.

This Crazy Ray and you have been warned....