Travel advice anyone?

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We are going on an airplane soon, and I was wondering if I could solicit advice from any of you about traveling with a baby. Any methods, drugs, or a combination of the two work for any of you?

Our Walk Through the Mall

I knew Daniel had been thinking about electronics again when he suggested that we take our evening walk at the mall and check out the Mac book Air at the same time. It's my job to be the heavy when it comes to spending money so I played my part. Grumbling internally but knowing it would make him happy, I agreed, a little grumpily. (It's dangerous business getting close to electronics with Daniel around, he starts getting this very hopeful look that I find very hard to resist. Don't believe me? How do you think he managed me letting him get a Wii?)



I also tend to avoid the mall in anycase because I find it a disturbing and dangerous place to be. It's dangerous walking through the mall for a couple reasons. One, there are people there. Those people either want to a.) sell you something or b.) stare at you and maybe even talk to you. Antisocial that I sometimes am, this is a terrifying prospect. Two, you might buy something that you don't need, you can't afford, is fattening/unhealthy, or all of the above. Three, you may leave there completely depressed because of the state of the world. (i.e. the way teenagers dress and act, the things people spend money on, the offensive advertising, or the unbelievably thin/emaciated mannequins)

So, when I was accosted by one of the stand vendors I was not surprised. They must smell fear or maybe they can just tell I know what a hard lot they have and hate saying no. In any case, Daniel saved me from the natural nails product vendor and we then stepped into the Apple store to look at the Macbook Air that he has been dreaming of. He lifted it up, looked at the ports, and was trying to figure it out when one of the sales people came over. The sales guy said that it is 'gimped' because it doesn't do anything except take notes. He let Daniel know that the Macbook Air can only download systems from another Mac or from the CD drive that you have to buy to go with it; expensive and impractical. Daniel chewed on this new information as we continued our stroll. I was relieved to have escaped intact from two money-losing encounters.

Then we found something inexpensive and fun. We found the Reactrix floor screen. We played a few games. I had fun stomping butterflies, playing soccer, and making firework explode over the NYC skyline. I'm sure we looked sort of funny hopping around on the board, grown-ups that we are supposed to be, but it was a lot of fun. I decided to let the little kids have a turn when a group of them showed up and their parents were watching us.

If any of you want a cheap date idea, I'd suggest going to the mall and playing on the Reactrix screen. Fun.

Loosened up from our workout, we continued our walk through the mall when we saw a costume jewelry store. I love things that sparkle so Daniel suggested we go and look. He promised to keep me from buying anything and I wasn't too worried about it anyway since my idea of expensive is most peoples idea of cheap.

What we didn't know was that this particular store was having a closeout sale. After we entered the store and my eyes lighted on the sparklies and great deals, it was all over. Daniel talked me into letting him get me a matched earrings and necklace set for a large discount. They match my wedding ring and are beautiful. Thank you, Daniel! (If any of you are also attracted to shiny objects and low prices, I would recommend visiting Landau's costume jewelry shop at Bridgewater Commons Mall.) In appreciation, I got Daniel a strawberry creme frappacino (no coffee!) grande from Starbucks. It was surprisingly good...he let me snitch some, so I know.


You see why the mall is so dangerous?

Whistle While You Work

As most of you know, I work during the day. I feel very blessed to be able to work at a job I enjoy and to know that James is well taken care of too. The reaction I have received has been mixed. Some see me as a feminist out to take over the world.(I'm not, by the way.) But most assume that I am somehow the slave of the housework, dragging myself out of bed to work, and then coming home to my second job of cooking, cleaning, caring for James, and general house stuff. Their unspoken reaction is more along the lines of 'You poor dear...'. The truth of it is, yes, I do stay up most nights with James and am often tired in the morning. Although I admit to complaining every once in awhile, I really don't mind as long as I get at least a few hours sleep. I love James and it is a great chance to snuggle. The other reason why I am not the picture of a haggard, overworked mother? Daniel.

Daniel does a phenomenal job juggling his studies, freelance work, the apartment, and James. James is always well fed and happy when I arrive. It is not unusual for him, Daniel that is, to have done some of the laundry or picked up the living room or done the dishes before I get home. He even experiments with different foods in-between practice tests, taking care of James, and filling out applications, so that I walk into an aroma-ful house. When he hasn't made food he never pressures me to make something but enjoys the hodge-podge meals we throw together as we talk about our day.

Daniel says he has learned to value what his mom did for him and what many, many moms do each day. We both know that our situation is unusual and are grateful for the guidance of the Spirit in our decision making.

There are many dads out there who work outside of the home; indeed, this is where Daniel's studying is preparing to take him. When that happens I'm sure he will put in a great deal of effort, earn promotions, and earn the approbation of his colleagues. I will be very proud. However, not any more proud than I already am. To my mind, it is infinitely more work to be diligent when no one is watching. To spend the day working hard studying, taking care of a son, and then to still be cheerful at the end of the day is something I know I would have a difficult time doing. In fact, he is doing such a good job that the bar has been raised and it helps me (and will continue to help me) to do my best at tasks I sometimes find menial and demeaning. If he can do it and smile, so can I! :)

Solid Food

4 Month Checkup

James if four months old this week. He went to the pediatrician's today and got his stats. He's 18lbs 2.5oz and 27 inches long. He took his shots like a man and only cried a little bit this time. We sure love this little big guy.

Why haven't I been posting as much?

You know that critical point where sleep deprivation begins to have velocity of its own until it snowballs into an enveloping exhaustion and you're squashed by it? That's why.

Thank Heaven it's Friday tomorrow and I'm not working.

Portfolio Site

I updated several things on my professional site. I replaced a few images (sorry, there are no new projects), recycled the wallpaper from this blog, and made thumbnail viewing a little slicker with some Asynchronous Java and XML (AJAX). If you haven't seen the site, you can check it out at www.howellcreative.com. I am quite happy with how it has turned.

If you are looking to develop your own portfolio page or gallery and think this design might work for you, I would be happy to talk about turning this page into a template.

James' Space-Time Continuum

We are geniuses...genii....whatever. We're amazing and sure to win the Nobel Prize for this one. We have discovered a hole in the space time continuum. It's James. He bends space and time. Let me explain, for all you skeptics.

In the morning James is a pleasant bundle to hold. He is usually happy with his world, gurgling, cooing, rolling, and kicking. Being adorable, in other words. Time flies by quickly during this time. As the day goes by he begins to throw his weight around, literally, and as he does his weight increases. We pick him up and he is heavier... and then heavier still. By night time he is unbelievably heavy. Much heavier than the morning.

For another thing, we are sure that he bent time yesterday. We had put him down for bed because our arms (and our backs) were going to give out under his increase when he decided to slow time down. We hereby witness that he stopped time so we could suffer through his crying a little longer. The minutes dragged and he only released his hold on time when he decided to fall asleep. We looked up to see that it had only been a few minutes by the clock but we know better.

Although, we do not have any hard evidence yet of this phenomenon we will continue our observations and await our Nobel Prize nomination. We are honest people and will put the prize money to good use. And don't worry, we won't forget all the little people who helped us here.

What's that? How does this discovery help humanity?

Pish, posh....let's just leave that for us genii to figure out, shall we?

Our Palmyra Daycation

We went on a vacation to Palmyra, NY yesterday.

We went to the Palmyra temple first. The grounds and the temple itself were beautiful. We then visited the Joseph Smith Farm. It was amazing to see how small the log cabin was and how big the frame house was in comparison. It really put some perspective on the early history of Joseph Smith, Jr. Although small and rustic, both houses felt like homes. The missionaries that lead our tour were right, you could easily imagine the family gathering there for scripture study.

We then hiked into the Sacred Grove. James was ecstatic to be there. It was perfect. There weren't hardly any other visitors and we were able to enjoy the peace and beauty.

We were pretty tired after that so we were very happy to sit through the movie about the life of Joseph Smith at The Hill Cumorah Visitors Center.

We then went to The Grandin Publishing Building and learned some interesting facts about how they printed and bound books in the early 1800's. We were given a signature page (the large page of printing that they would cut to produce sixteen pages at a time) as a souvenir.

On the way home we stopped at Arbies. This is note worthy because they have new milkshakes and we tried them; berry swirl and orange creme...yum.

Tired but happy we got home late last night after our first family vacation.

Scriptures of the Month

We know that the Book of Mormon is true and we wanted to share with you some of our family's favorite scriptures. Each month we will add a new scripture to the list. If you seek guidance from the Holy Ghost, we are sure you will benefit from these spiritual gems as we have.

July, 2008:
2 Nephi 2:25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

August, 2008:
Alma 32:22 And now, behold, I say unto you, and I would that ye should remember, that God is merciful unto all who believe on his name; therefore he desireth, in the first place, that ye should believe, yea, even on his word.

September, 2008:
Ether 12:27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

October, 2008:
Enos 1:27And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father. Amen.

November, 2008:
Mormon 9:31 Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been.

December, 2008:
2 Nephi 25:26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

January, 2009:
Alma 18:32
And Ammon said: Yea, and he looketh down upon all the children of men; and he knows all the thoughts and intents of the heart; for by his hand were they all created from the beginning.

February, 2009:
Moroni 7:13
But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.

April, 2009:
2 Nephi 32:3
Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

May, 2009:
Jacob 4:10
Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works.

June, 2009:

Mosiah 7:33

But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.