Thursday, November 29, 2007

That goofy, serious, Nibley-reading, pen-twirling, skateboarding, Army Ranger, dental student man of mine


My friend, Heather, tagged me again. This time the tag is about Jason, my husband.
What is his name? Jason (Scott) McDaniel (Due to a momentary space-out, his middle name was never put on the birth certificate. I made sure to tease him about it when he was sent to fill out Brendan's. "Honey, don't forget he has a middle name. The one you were supposed to have.")
How long have you been married? 4 years this Valentine's Day
How long did you date? A little over 4 months (including 6 week engagement - yep, we work fast!)
How old is he? A young'un - 28
Who eats more? Even though I am pregnant I think it is a toss-up. Dental school will do that to you.
Who said I love you first? He did, though it was during the visit to my parents where he told me that he was going to ask my dad for my hand in marriage. Kinda backwards that those three words weren't mentioned before, huh?
Who is taller? He is and yea for that!
Who sings better? I think I do but not by much. At least I know the lyrics to what I sing.
Who is smarter? Jason is the king of gathering facts, (I challenge anyone to beat him), however, as far as "people smart" goes, I take the cake. It is nice to have him ask my advice about that since I can't help him much with biochemistry, filleting a cadaver or carving a tooth.
Whose temper is worse? We don't fight, we have a cold war.
Who does the laundry? Me and I hate it! He does help with the folding part occasionally, if we put on Lord of the Rings while we do it. He calls it "Lord of the Laundry."
Who does the dishes? Me again. He is not home enough to do them.
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Since Jason sleeps on my side too thus squooshing his pregnant wife into almost falling off the bed, I'd say him. Seriously, he moves a lot while he's asleep. He also talks, kisses and mimics cleaning weapons in his sleep too. Nighttime is always an adventure.
Who pays the bills? Me.
Who mows the lawn? No lawn but Jason adamantly says he'll pay someone to do it.
Who cooks dinner? Mostly me, unless we have breakfast for dinner. Then Jason makes a great omelet.
Who drives when you are together? Jason and I like it that way. I get us lost way too much.
Who is more stubborn? Me. Silently stubborn.
Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Jason. I married well.
Whose parents do you see the most? Mine, now that we are in CA.
Who proposed? Jason. Funny story I'll tell you sometime.
Who has more friends? Me but he is more likable. He just doesn't keep in touch.
Who has more siblings? I do.
Who wears the pants in the family? Me. Actually it is an art to do so without him knowing. He thinks he does. (ha ha ha - scoffing laughter)

Questions that Heather (the Tagger) added on:
Who can do more push-ups? Jason. And sit-ups, and pull-ups and just about anything else that requires stamina. That is what happens when you marry an Army man. He actually likes that kind of thing - I know, he's weird.
Who is older? Me. Jason used to joke I was his "suga' mama". He was a student when we married and he moved into my apartment with about two suitcases of stuff. That's it.
What is your favorite ballet? (Incredulous look from husband like I have gone mental)

Question I added:
His biggest quirk? He cannot stand the sound of people chewing. Seriously, he goes nuts!
Does he collect anything? Yes. He collects Hugh Nibley books (he even had a picture of Dr. Nibley in his dorm room) and vintage, fat, wide polyester ties. He loves that he has to wear a shirt and tie to class every day at Pacific.

Picture he will complain about me posting but he is just so dang cute:



I tag Kristin Anderson, Danica McDaniel and Raynie Hawes, who are free to add their own questions too.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Our Thanksgiving

Wow, what a weekend! We went to my parents' house for Thanksgiving Day after Jason played some football in our ward's Turkey Bowl (his team lost). We got stuck in traffic but made it there for the meal. My younger sister and her boys were there too, plus my brother. It was so nice to see family that I don't get to visit with very much. Mom made a great turkey and mashed potatoes. My sister made the green bean casserole (a favorite of mine) and these are the things I ate the most of. The pies were yummy too. But the best part is always the visiting. To me, that's what the holidays are all about. Brendan LOVED playing with his cousin, Canyon. They are two peas in a pod. These two are crazy and had a blast together. Brendan pushed him around the house in the walker (which they are both too big for), running into whoever got in the way. Poor Canny hit his head a couple of times due to my son's zest for going fast but not steering well.

We spent the night at my parents' house and Brendan woke us up at 5am - yippee! The next morning came back to San Rafael for the Winter Wonderland. Amanda and her boys came too. The town had blocked off one of the streets, imported snow and made a sled run for the kids. We didn't think Brendan was brave enough to do it by himself but after watching other kids go, he was begging for it. We let the boys go down twice and then took them home to nap. They ended up playing in the room upstairs instead of napping, so there was super-crankiness and we opted to skip the light parade that night. Bummer! But I loved playing with baby Dane. He is two months old and has the CUTEST smile!
On Saturday we went to San Jose for my oldest nephew, Camden's, baptism. He was so excited to be baptized! It was great to see Shiloh and her family too since they moved to Utah right before we came to California. My sister is pregnant too and due ten days before me so it was extra fun to see her. I led the music for the service. It was a special experience to be a part of.
My brother, Thomas, came home with us and we stayed up late talking. He sure is fun to have a conversation with. He left for Idaho the next morning. After church, the Winns came to see us. I don't think my nephew, Elijah, knew what to think of his cousin Brendan. They have different senses of humor, I suppose. He didn't think it was funny when Brendan licked him instead of a goodbye kiss. I wouldn't either!!
I had a nice visit with my sister, Shiloh, and we got a great belly picture. The husbands decided that a hairline shot would be funny for them. Silly guys! Now that the holiday weekend is over, things are settling back to normal. Brendan is actually taking a nap on time for the first time in four days. Oh blessed naptime! But I wouldn't that time of reconnecting with family for a few hours of lost sleep. I can't wait until Christmas!!

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Belly shot


Here is the long awaited picture of my pregnant belly. I am seven months pregnant in this picture. I don't think I look that big but today I got my first "rude-though-it-was-meant-to-be-funny" comment about my pregnant shape. Don't you hate those? What do you say when someone hears you have three more months and gawks at you, saying, "Are you sure you're not having twins?" or "You look like you are about to pop!" Pregnancy is a time to be kinder to a woman. Regardless, I have gained less weight and am eating better than I did with Brendan so I consider that a victory. This time I think pregnancy is cute on me. :)

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Big Boy Bed story

Jason here. I have to add a story about "the big boy bed" (refer to the post below). After a long day at school I came home and was in the process of putting Brendan to bed (that's my job). Brendan's new bed is a full size twin and I wanted to see how soft it was so I laid down and found that it was indeed a fine bed. No sooner had I laid down than Brendan stopped playing, looked over, and began praying. "Hebanly Fadder.... babble babble babble . . . Big Boy Bed . . .babble babble babble . . . Daddy Big Boy Bed . . . babble babble . . . Jesy Cry, Amen." Then he looked at me sternly and said, "Bye." Apparently, I was encroaching on his territory and got the boot.

Big boy bed

We recently got Brendan's big boy bed set up in his room. I set it up last week. I figured we'd let him get used to it in his room before we made him sleep in it. As soon as he saw it he was fascinated. Naptime came that day and we went through the routine. It was time to put him down and I lifted him into the crib. He wriggled and cried and yelled, "Big boy bed!!!" So I decided to try it. He kissed me goodnight and laid down. He slept three hours. Phew! I was not looking forward to a battle over where he sleeps and it looks like we won't have any. I am so glad. I am hoping we don't have any jealous feelings when his little sister gets to sleep in the crib. The one problem we have now is the blinds. They are close enough to the bed that he plays with the when he is supposed to be sleeping. I guess they make a very satisfying sound as they are kicked against the window.


Brendan in front of his big boy bed after a nap today.


Notice the smattering of toys that have somehow made their way into the bed. Hmmmmm. :)

Friday, November 2, 2007

Just for fun


My Alias'
I found this on another blog and I was bored so here goes:

YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
-Hondo Accord (funny that is really is like the car but we did have a Great Dane when I was a kid named Hondo)
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
-Macadamia Pumpkin (a very wimpy gangsta I guess)
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)
-CMcD (kind of cool)
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
-Blue Cat
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
-Marie Edmonds
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
-McDch (how would you even say that??!!)
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
-The Pink Smoothie (Sure that would strike fear into the hearts of many)
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)
-James Morris
9. ENTERTAINER NAME: (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)
-Hawaii Reeses
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names )
-Ruth Bruce
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)
-Dobbs Dover (just for fun the top picture is me in fifth grade. Mom let me wear lip gloss, and don't you love the rhinestones?)
12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)
-Spring Tulip (how cute!)
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)
-Pineapple Jeanie
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)
-Kix Almond
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)
-The Digital Rain Tour (Hey, I'd go to that. Sounds cool)

Enjoy!