Game Night has returned?

Since John actually had 2 days off in a row, we were able to get together with Jim and Shawna, and the boys, all 3, even allowed us to play a few games! Shawna made some delicious beef tacos, which John and I finished off, and even better news, Lucas and Alex played together. Alex smiled at both me, and Lucas as we sat next to him. And the cutest thing was that Lucas was so excited and smiling at Alex, anxious to play with him. We got a few pictures of them together:






And Baby Jacob cooperated too--Lucas was interested in such a small thing as Jacob..didn't know he was alive til he moved and made some noise! We started with a cheesy few rounds of UNO, yes the game for 8 year olds. lol. It was fun actually and I think Shawna won the most. Then we learned a new game called "Pandemic" (i.e. Swine Flu) and it's a co-op game, meaning we are all on one team trying to cure/treat the diseases. We failed both times, but it was a fun game to play!

Oh yeah, It's Thanksgiving

We had a real Thanksgiving dinner last year with all the fixings, even though I was 33 weeks pregnant with Lucas. I am that far along now with Olivia, but I just didn't feel up to all of that so we threw a meal together and enjoyed it anyway--even Lucas. Plus, my mom was hard at work at her new job- The Movie Tavern. She is working long hours! We brought her a plate of food, but I forgot to bring the camera to show her at work. Next time.
John made some Ny strip steaks, a couple chicken breasts, we did buy a huge ham from costco that was pretty good, and I just made some chicken rice, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and we had some pasta salad already made. Lucas liked the ham, potatoes, rice and some green beans. Here are some random pictures we took---we need a real dining table!





I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving, especially those who had to work!

French People

The Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas has a new album out which sounds okay:


And this is a cool little preview:


And the videos eventually led to this little French band that sound really good. I don't know about the guy's voice, but the music kinda makes up for it. I don't have a myspace and most of their studio recordings are on their myspace, so you can check them out there for more.
The band is called "Studio Paradise" and this is one of their songs that sounds Stroke-ish (plus the video is taken from Julian Casablancas' stuff---probably to get people to listen to them, which worked). But most of their other songs are good in different ways. It was funny to look over their influences--it's an extensive list that includes Afrika Bambata, Aaron Neville, and Clarence Carter lol. Anyway here's a sample:

But some other songs I liked by them on their myspace are "Cool", "Dream or Queen", and "I Can't Believe." http://www.myspace.com/studioparadise

I honestly haven't really listened to any music in a while, unless it's something Lucas loves (even the songs I play on my guitar have been limited to the "Franklin" theme song and Paul McCartney...) so that's why I had to blog about it.

They also are influenced by another good French band (a lot more popular) called "Air". They have a new album out too:

News

I just wanted to say I am proud of my mom. Over a year ago she moved here to VA from CA with my brother Norman. He is the youngest of all 6 siblings, and arguably, the most intelligent lol. Well, she has made things a lot better and easier for them both and has recently been hired at a place called "Movie Tavern," here in Williamsburg. It's odd because my mom has stayed home and taken care of all us kids, and my dad when he was sick and so she hasn't been 'employed' for over 30 years. But she got a job within a few days of applying, despite not having a resume.
I feel bad because it's still the beginning and she is nervous and stressed out. It's a very busy movie theater combined with a pretty high-end restaurant and she has a lot of multi-tasking to do. Especially with that "New Moon" movie that came out, for which they were sold out and had to refund people who reserved tickets online. She worked 1 to 11pm last night, and they only gave her a half hour break! She is working hard and it will help save money and be prepared for when Norman goes to college and she is on her own.


In other job news, my brother James who just turned 19, decided he is going to enlist in the Navy. I think he sees what John has and how quickly he advanced and wants to get that money! We all think it's really great and hope the best for him. He went to MEPS and was sworn in and everything. He is going to be an IS or intelligence specialist, which is a job that John's friend recommended because you advance as quickly as a nuke and you can go wherever you want, and probably won't go out to sea. It sounds pretty cool--very confidential and he will have a high level of security clearance which should help him with future job opportunities. The only downside right now is that they aren't shipping him off to boot camp until next summer, so he has to stay out of trouble and find a job til then. Shouldn't be too hard, but it will have to be something that he can get to by foot or bike since he doesnt have a car.
I am more hopeful for him and think the Navy will provide lots of guidance and opportunities if he stays out of trouble! Here is a picture of him on his birthday with his girlfriend Ally who came to visit:

Video Compilation #2- Surprise! Great Grandma Croce's House

My Lucas

I just walked in on one of the funniest/oddest scenes of Lucastry. He was napping in my bed, and I heard him talking on the monitor so I went to check him....He had found the remote control, turned the TV on for himself, and then got off the bed (not falling), and was sitting on the floor by my night table, with a pen and an open book of my crosswords! It was like he was a big boy! Pretty funny.
Didn't get a picture of that, but here's on from a few days ago when he hummed himself to sleep on the floor by Norman:

Leaving- Day 4 Memphis, Day 5 Harriman TN

I forgot to post the last little tidbits of our trip so here they are. Memphis was pretty dirty. The hotel receptionist was nice and had to hold Lucas since he smiled at her, and she gave us a discount. But it was still not a very clean room, and gross to see one of those sticky mouse traps on the floor in our hotel room.



BUT, Memphis sort of redeemed itself because we ate at Neely's, a delicious barbecue restaurant made by the couple on the Food network that cook together. This actually was better barbecue than Arthur Bryant's in MO and not as expensive.

I can really see all the weight that John lost since we have been home in this picture!



We drove by Graceland (didn't want to pay to get in), and went to a gift shop to buy stuff for John's cousin's wife Linda, who loves Elvis.




YUck:

We drove by many of these signs and I just couldn't believe that anyone could "honor" such an evil man Louis Farrakhan...he is the "national representative" for the Nation of Islam. People don't bother to learn anything about him, and instead place him on the same pedestal as truly honorable black leaders like Martin Luther King Jr, who is probably turning in his grave at that sight. I again recommend reading David Horowitz' book, "Hating Whitey," to learn about the horrid atrocities committed by the Black Panthers, who were heavily associated with Farrakhan and protested at the "Million Man March"---alongside idiots like Rev. Wright, Jesse "cut your balls off" Jackson, and Al "Jesse Jackson" Sharpton.

He is a known anti-semite. But again, black people are allowed to be racist. Or betteryet, the term is not applicable to them. He continues to do much harm to the black race and to the Nation of Islam when he comes out saying everything is a white conspiracy to kill/harm black people. Hurricane Katrina? White conspiracy (the levees had a 'man-made' hole). H1N1 flu? White government conspiracy (excluding B.O.) to kill off people.

In 2002 he went to Zimbabwe to support president Mugabe's intentions of seizing land owned by white people--you know, to settle historical injustices. It resulted in death and violence and ultimately the collapse of farming and agriculture.

Although he also encouraged racism and violence, Malcolm X and Farrakhan seemed to be at odds for the spotlight of the leader of these black/muslim mobs and CBS even claimed that Farrakhan's "incendiary" speeches played a part in the assasination of Malcolm X.

And if you want to see his anti-semitic quotes, just take a look at the Anti-Defamation League's website full of Farrakhan's quotes. He is a true conspiracy-obsessed racist who hates that Jews "control" Hollywood, the IRS, and even his beloved BET channel. He may not outright say like Ahmadinejad that the "Holocaust never happened," but he claims you can't talk about it or "have contructive arguments" or you will be imprisoned in European cities, and he sounds like he blames "big Jews" for causing and even helping the Holocaust. He doesn't trust any black man that works for white men, and considers them to be "talking slaves."

You'd think that with his resume, he'd be hand in hand with President B.O. Afterall, he was honored by B.O.'s former church's Rev. Jeremiah Wright--who was B.O.'s spiritual guide for >20 yrs (until it threatened his presidential bid). But after Farrakhan endorsed B.O., his people quickly distanced him. Obama has even said:

"I decry racism and anti-Semitism in every form and strongly condemn the anti-Semitic statements made by Minister Farrakhan," Obama said in a statement released by his aides. "I assume that Trumpet Magazine made its own decision to honor Farrakhan based on his efforts to rehabilitate ex-offenders, but it is not a decision with which I agree."

I'm sure the people that honor Farrakhan ignore that.

It IS different when you SEE it

Very important Dr. Laura post--please read it.

Click here to read it: "After Viewing Abortion, Planned Parenthood Director Quits

I've always told people that consider themselves to be pro-choice to watch an actual abortion. Going to this site a few years ago stuck in my mind and really haunts you. It makes you really scared of the few doctors that are still willing and eager (the director herself admitted that it's really about money) to kill like this.

The most important quote by the former PP director:
“For them, there’s not a lot of money in education. There’s not as much money in family planning as there is in abortion.”

Johnson also said, “Ideally, my goal as the facility’s director is that your abortion numbers don’t increase, because you’re providing so much family planning and so much education that there is not a demand for abortion services. But that was not their goal.”

And Planned Parenthood has filed a restraining order on her since she quit the business...

Just found this video of her being interviewed on O'reilly, talking about especially in this economy, Planned Parenthood wants to raise their abortion numbers, and thus their revenue. And they funded Obama's campaign. Pretty soon they may be paid for with tax dollars so they may not have to worry about it. They had a gag order on her, (which she successfully fought) but now she is proudly speaking out in defense of life after seeing a 13 wk old baby fight for it's life, when she was told to call the fetus , "just cells."



Even better video of her life-changing experience:

Weigh in

John passed his weigh in, and I had my appt and didn't gain any weight either! Better news, is that I haven't had my gallbladder pain, my glucose results are great, and my blood pressure is great. That means no gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia this time!
To celebrate John being able to eat again, we took Lucas to a Japanese restaurant we haven't tried before. It was pretty good--but Lucas shrieked most of the time because he wanted our food. He had some rice and soup and liked it of course.


We won't be eating out as much anymore because we both want to establish better eating/spending habits. We recently bought a freezer chest along with the grill from Lowes so we will make home cooked meals more often. As long as John is home and will grill some chicken or steaks etc, I will make all the side dishes lol.

Jacob Andrew Seago!

Shawna had her second baby boy, Jacob Andrew on Tuesday--he weighed 9 lbs 8 oz and measured 21.5 inches long. We finally got to meet him last night when John and I volunteered to make Jim, Shawna, and her parents dinner and bring it over to their house. We bought a new grill yesterday and quickly put it together to make them some steaks, sausages and I made brown rice, sweet potato tempura, zuchinni and yellow squash, whole grain wheat rolls, and baked beans. John made the steaks very good, and didn't overcook mine! He likes his steak more well done than I do.

It was a nice dinner and fun to talk about all of our birthing experiences--me shawna and her mother too! It was so odd to hold Jacob, who feels weightless compared to Lucas now--and we will soon have another tiny little baby to hold like that. Made me excited and anxious!





Alex playing with Grandpa

John and Jim talking about...what else? work!

It was a nice night and we hope to have all 4 babies play together soon!

My Older Brother Jon

I haven't seen my older brother Jon for years, but he is now living in the A.V. where I used to live, and is engaged to be married, later this month. He has a band that has been gaining in popularity, and is a very talented drummer. Here is a video of a solo he did:


His band Krimzen also has some of their songs on youtube that I thought were pretty good:


Anyway, he was recently in a bad car accident while moving his fiance's things in their van to their new apartment in Palmdale. He fell sleep at the wheel, overcorrected, and the van flipped 4 times. He was badly injured with a chest contusion and hematomas on his head. We all hope he recovers quickly. His wedding date of November 14th is as far as we know, still going on.
You're in my prayers Jon!

Lucas Gets Around

Lucas isn't quite walking, he stands on his own all the time, but isn't quite brave enough to take more than one step without giving up and crawling fast to where he wants to go. But he gets around pretty fast, and no matter where I block off, he gets in to something. I am thinking we will need to buy some more furniture/storage type things in lieu of shelves...i clean this DVD/CD pile up a few times a day and he loves looking at you and smiling while he makes the mess again:




I have an OBGYn appt tomorrow, since I am now being seen every two weeks. My apparent gallbladder pains haven't been a problem since I went on the diet, but I have recently lessened the restrictions because I was losing weight and I think I was deficient of some vitamins/protein. I still eat mostly light meals and fruit/vegetables, but am never starving. Lucas and I have been sharing sweet potatoes that I make fresh, and they are so good without ANYTHING on them!

Walking

I've been walking the dogs everyday with Lucas. For anyone not familiar with my unruly dogs, this was a challenge to take on by myself. But I realized for some reason with a weinerdog on either side of lucas' stroller, they both behaved pretty well! They kept the same pace (instead of constantly trying to pull you to the point where Tyrone's paws bleed) and were protective of Lucas. It must be the wheels, because I vaguely remember trying to ride my bike a few years ago and Tyrone respected it and stayed at the same pace.

Lucas quietly enjoyed the views and watching the dogs along side him. He even held Tyrone's leash for a little while which is good because Tyrone will know that Lucas is not his equivalent, but another owner. Both Shmoopy and Tyrone poop when I tell them to, which is next to a trash can so I don't have to carry around their poop. We walk around my neighborhood, and through a little dog park, and into a richer subdivision. There are a couple fairly steep hills so it's a good workout for me too. In addition to the lowfat diet I am on, this should keep me from gaining too much weight in these last 9 weeks ...yes, that's pretty much all that's left til we see if Olivia is bigger than Lucas!

I Voted Today

Big deal here in Virginia and New Jersey. The only real attack the other guy had on Mcdonnell was that he is Pro-life...looks like most people are sane and know that's a GOOD thing and that real values are what this country desperately needs.


GO Bob McDonnell! (And Bolling and Cuccinelli)

Love You Inside Out

I heard this Bee Gees song I hadn't heard before on the radio, and I liked it. Thought I'd post it:

Alex's 3rd Birthday!

Our friend's Jim and Shawna's son Alex was born on Halloween 3 years ago. It's hard to believe that we were there on his 1st birthday when we ate at Hiyashi (the video showed him scared of the fire/grill!) He has made a lot of progress since starting his school. He was even friendly with Lucas this time. He enjoyed opening his presents too! They made him a special gluten/dairy free cake that he liked. Here are the few pictures we took:


















Shawna's mom and dad are staying with them because Seago #2 is ready to pop out! Shawna is scheduled for a c-section on the 4th, but we all didn't think she would last this long! My prediction is tonight since it's a full moon--thats what did it for Lucas! We'll see!