5 Favorites -- Olympic Edition

I haven't linked up with Hallie for 5 Favorites in awhile, buuuuuuut . . . the looming Olympics are a boost right back up on the bandwagon.

And so, without further ado, my five, totally frivolous favorite things about the Olympics:

1. Figure Skating - The Olympics are the one time every four years that anyone else really cares about figure skating. For whatever reason, I got captivated by the sport in elementary school, and have followed it -- anywhere from closely to very, very, very closely ever sense. Yes, my fandom has known peaks and valleys, but I can not only tell the difference between a lutz and a salchow just from watching, but I can also explain to you exactly how those things are done. I can't give the kind of lecture on the new code of points that I would like, but I can tell you how it has changed figure skating for the worse the last few Olympic cycles, though I think things are improving in the next couple generations of skaters (who have grown up with it). I'll give you a look if you refer to it as "ice skating." I can tell you more than you want to remember about the Nancy Kerrigan - Tonya Harding scandal. I can go on and on more than I already have. I have a problem. It is controlled at the moment, but like any addiction, recovery is very day to day. Especially once TV coverage gets underway.

Via

Oh, you're still reading?!? I promise the rest are shorter!

2. Watching sports I don't care about any other time - What's the opposite of a sport I actually care about? Sports that I don't care about! But, somehow, during the Olympics, sports like ski jump, short track speed skating, and curling are all anyone can talk about. And they are so much fun to watch!

Via

3. Surprises - I love that the Olympics are full of surprises. Surprise performances. Surprise stars. Surprise disappointments. Surprise human interest stories. I can pretty much guarantee that the waterworks will be at max output when you combine NBC's ability to make everything super-sappy with my pregnancy hormones.

If I knew, it wouldn't be a surprise. - Via

4. The Opening and Closing Ceremonies - The ceremony! The pageantry! The symbolism! The never-ending parade of nations! The weird art pieces! I watch it all with wonder, awe, amazement, and a good dose of what the bleeping heck was that?!?!? This is a country's chance to display itself to the world, and often, they end up showing it in ways that are wholly unexpected.

From London 2012 - Via

5. Patriotism - I am nothing if not patriotic. I'll chant U-S-A! U-S-A! with the best of them. I'll tear up for every.single. American gold medal ceremony I see as the Star Spangled Banner blares. Bonus points if the recipient sings along. Extra bonus points if s/he cries along with me.

From Vancouver 2010 - Via

3 Days to Go! I can't wait!

7 Quick Takes, Vol. 52

Joining Jen for my 52nd installment, which is a milestone, if not an anniversary, thanks to plenty of weeks off. :)

1. 1 week! Eeee! I can't wait.

2. So, I think, without any doing on my part -- at all -- that I'm raising a little diva. Her current obsession is shoes. She's been somewhat particular and opinionated on the subject for some time now. When buying church shoes this fall, we ended up with a sparkly pair after she rejected the simple black leather ones I was trying on her by not letting me put them on her feet. She reached for the sparkle and slipped 'em right on. Aye! Anyway, her new thing is wearing shoes at all times (except meals, randomly). We aren't into wearing shoes to bed, so this morning, all of 2 minutes after waking up, she toddles over to me with a pair of shoes insisting that I put them on her with her jammies. I told her that she needed socks with her shoes, so she needed to go get me some. She comes back with not just any socks, but super frilly ruffly white ones. It's official. I'm in for it. Does anyone want to borrow a teenager in about 12 years?!?

Jammies, socks and shoes -- after I made her choose different socks.

3. We had our first official mother-daughter tea the other day. I had a mug of the real stuff to get me through the afternoon, so she had to join in the fun.

4. It's a last day of the rotation day for Charles. That means a short day plus some school stuff plus a relaxing weekend. It also means that he's down to his last 4 rotations. Woo to the hoo!!

5. 3 Takes worth of pregnancy talk? Sorry in advance. 31 weeks. Woo-hoo!! Everything looked and sounded good at my appointment on Monday, and I joined the every-two-weeks club! I'm getting so excited to meet and hold and snuggle and kiss my little man.

Weekly bathroom selfie

6. The best part of being married to a (almost -- just over 4 months to go!!) DO is that he can do osteopathic manipulative therapy. In other words, in addition to all the traditional medical stuff he knows, he can also do manual manipulations (similarish to chiropractic care) to fix aches and pains. For my poor, pregnant back and hips, living room OMT is pretty much the bestest thing ever.

7. Charles and I have decided that Clare loves her baby brother more than she loves either of us. She'll randomly give him kisses and pats (with ample reminders that she needs to be gentle, already). She's slooooowly figuring out that he is not "Tummy," but "Baby Bruddah." I don't think we're going to get his real first name out of her for awhile, as much as we try! And she loves nothing more than to curl up with my bump when she needs to lie down or snuggle with Mama. I think she's going to miss it when it's replaced with a real live baby! Hopefully, she'll love her ex utero brother 1/10 as much as she loves him in utero. Heck, I might be happy with 1/100th as much!

Mah kiddos!

Have a lovely weekend!!

5 Favorites, Vol. 3

You've never had a long week, right? Well, assuming you ever do, if you're a glass-half-full kid like me (no, really, I am), you find little things that get you through. These are the things that have gotten me through my week. (Seriously, I thought yesterday must be Friday.)

1. Snapeas. Seriously. I love these things. Too much. They are one of those addictive can't-eat-just-one snacks. Yum!

Via

2. Raisins. Yes, lame snack of your youth raisins. I looooove them. I mean I love them chocolate covered and in cookies and stuff too, but I also think they make a great afternoon snack. As an added bonus, Clare thinks raisin boxes makes a great toy. As a result, our afternoon ritual has been me eating the raisins, and her eating the box. (Until she starts actually eating it. Then I take it away and she cries in protest for 30 seconds.)

3. My coffee mug. I have a million, even after cleaning out my cabinets, but this one was a Christmas present from Charles. It is the perfect size for my hand and for a not-cold morning mug. Plus, it makes me think of him. Awwwww.

He knows too well my Olympics addiction.

4. Squeezy food. Most of Clare's baby food is homemade, but these have been a lifesaver (no hassle, easy peasy) on days we've been out of the house for most of the day.

Via

5. This face. I know it's cheezy, but her smile brightens my day every.single.time. And when she smiles and sticks out her tongue . . . no one is immune!

Blurry, but...

Have a great week, and thanks again to Hallie for hosting us!