Counting and the Human Body

Alex learned how to count backwards from 10 from a toy about a year and a half ago. He knows how to count to 40 or 50, by rote. Lately he's been counting backwards from 20. He just figured out how to do it on his own. My little smarty. (I especially love when he says "five-teen.")

Spencer is very interested in the human body. We've had many conversations recently about bones, skin, and various organs (he finds the word bladder particularly hilarious). He told me today that he has a "drain" and that's where his "poopy" comes out. Future doctor? Or plumber?

Growing Boys

I bought jeans for Alex and Spencer in September and they were so long I had to roll them up. Now they fit perfectly. Spencer's new shirt for the start of the school year that was big on him is now getting tight. He grew four inches over the summer. I thought the growing was supposed to slow down during the winter. I still can't grasp the fact that they are caught up with their peers in size. I still think they're so little, but they're not.

Mike and I were buying groceries yesterday and I realized that when Alex and Spencer were born they were smaller and lighter than the loaf of bread we were getting. Amazing!

Computer Problems

Oh how I hate computer problems. I'm trying to back up my files and I keep getting errors (cyclic redundancy check). I am so frustrated and pissed off. I'm trying to run some recovery software but it's taking forever and I want it fixed now, now, NOW!

Waiting...

...for the doctor's office to open. My back went out yesterday while I was putting Spencer's boots on. One big spasm across my whole lower back and suddenly I'm unable to stand up straight, bend over, sit for long, or move in general. This happens about once a year and it makes me feel totally useless. I can't do anything around the house. And now I'm missing work on top of it. And you know what the doctor will tell me: losing weight will help. I've been going to the gym, but it's going to take a lot of workouts to get me in shape after four years of not doing it. You would think that since I'm working on it I would get a free pass in the bad back department so that I can keep going to the gym rather than laying around the house with a bad back!

So now I'm off to take an extremely hot shower in the hope that my back will somehow miraculously recover and instead of going to the doctor I can go to the office where I belong.

Frigorific

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 1st. Can you believe it's a real word? Frigorific!

Meaning
: causing cold : chilling

Example Sentence
Jamie shivered as she faced the frigorific blast of wind blowing off the lake.

Did you know?
The chill in "frigorific" comes from "frigus," the Latin word for "frost" or "cold." ("Frigorific" is derived from Latin "frigorificus," the adjective form of "frigus.") "Frigus" has provided us with other icy words as well. It is the source of "refrigerate" ("to keep cold"), and also of the combining form "frigo-" ("cold") and the noun "frigorimeter" ("a thermometer designed for low temperatures"), both of which are primarily scientific and somewhat rare. "Frigus" is also related to the ancestors of "frigid" ("intensely cold"). "Frigorific" is a relatively unusual word and is used considerably less often than its relatives "refrigerate" and "frigid."

My New Year's Resolution

To blog more. I realized that a big part of the reason I don't blog like I used to is because of Mike. I didn't used to have someone to share everything with, my thoughts, the things that the boys are doing, etc., but now I have Mike. I don't need this outlet as much, but I do want to record thoughts and occasions so Alex and Spencer have them later. I'd also like to blog more about what's going on in my life, what I'm doing, thinking, little tidbits...

So here's a tidbit for you. Try this recipe: Roquamole (that's rock-a -mole, like guacamole). Heard about it on NPR weeks ago and made it for my sister last night. It's delish. My sister - she babysat Alex and Spencer last night so Mike and I could go out for the New Year's Eve bash at New World Home Cooking. Yum and fun! Awesome sister I have. The boys had a great time; didn't even miss us.

So, happy New Year to all and may 2009 be the best year yet for everyone!