The Brynn & Steve Show

Apples to apples, your life probably sucks...

2012-01-16T11:26:00.000-08:00

I assure you my blogging intentions are quite pure. I always think I will keep this blog up to date, but I just don’t. Don’t worry it’s not you, it’s me. Blogging falls into the same category as Bon Iver and Tim Tebow. I should like them. I want to like them. I just don’t.

Neither here nor there (or anywhere) I guess.

Calan received his 2nd cochlear implant on December 5th and is doing really well. The surgery itself was in the words of (once again relevant) Charles Barkley “trr-ible”. It really was a nightmare. The poor guy was so sad and just didn’t understand why we would allow the doctors to hurt him. For parents out there with CI kids, the second surgery is not any easier than the first. But recovery was *quick and now he is back to his old self. We are still working on getting the map to where it needs to be, but we have already seen a real difference in localization.

*Note for CI parents. We fought Calan for an entire week to get him to wear the second implant. It was awful, but we stuck with it and now he prefers it. So hang in there.

Londyn just turned 14, which is really exciting. (Wait. What’s that? Seriously? ) My mistake - apparently Londyn is still 5-years-old. Maybe it’s the fact that she carries around her iPod touch and pretends to text her friends. Maybe it’s the fact that she asked me if her pen was “handcrafted”. Maybe it’s the fact that she rolls her eyes at her almost 31 year-old Dad and makes him feel ridiculous. Either way, she is lucky she has me wrapped around her finger or she would find herself victim of my unholy scathing wrath.

But my favorite child is Hadley. (What do you mean I can’t say that?) Alright, let me rephrase. I “love” Hadley the most. (No good?) Okay let me try again. If I had to pick just one…too far? Okay, okay. But she is an unbelievably good baby. I dare anyone who reads this to hold Haddie for just a minute or two and not fall completely in love with the little girl.

I know what you are thinking. “Wow Steve, compared to you – my life sucks. Your kids are way cuter than mine and your wife is like a super model you get to have unprotected sex with. How great would it be to be in your shoes for only one day?”

And you would be absolutely right.

"I just had to"

2011-10-27T14:45:00.000-07:00

Londyn adores Hadley. She is such a good big sister and so helpful to Brynn and I – but we did have a little incident where Londyn found herself in hot water. Londyn was playing with Haddie in her bouncer the other day when Brynn heard Haddie scream out in pain. Brynn rushed into the room and found Londyn with a very guilty look on her face. “What happened?!” Brynn asked as she picked Haddie up and tried to console her. Londyn looked up with tear filled eyes and confessed “I bit her nose.” Brynn was beside herself and sent Londyn to her room. When I got home from work I was informed that I needed to talk to Londyn about what happened.

Brynn had dance class that night so I let it slide until I was putting Londyn to bed that night. Finally alone I asked her, “Why did you do it? You are so good with Hadley. What on earth caused you to bite her little nose?” With a remorseful look and a trembling lip Londyn said, “I don’t know. I was just playing with her and giving her kisses when I looked up and saw her little nose. And I don’t know why dad, but I just had to bite it. I couldn’t help myself.”

I guess the old adage of “you are so cute, I could just eat you up” ended up being just too tempting for Haddie’s big sister.

Same thing...different results

2011-09-04T22:02:00.000-07:00

I wrote this in our blog about Calan 3 years ago...

Driving in the car, Cal crying in his car seat, and his 2 1/2 year old sister is singing him Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, because she knows when she is upset, singing helps calm her. Cal continues to cry, because he cannot hear his big sister singing her little heart out. And though she talks and sings to him all the time, Cal has never heard his big sisters voice...heartbreaking.

This happened on the way home from Grandpa and Grandma’s on a warm summer night. Cal was only a few months old, riding in his car seat and completely hysterical. This little moment broke my heart. I wanted so desperately for Londyn's little brother to hear her voice.

Tonight the exact same thing happened. In fact, the situation was jarringly similar. Warm summer night, driving home from Grandpa and Grandma’s, and a hysterical baby crying in the back seat. But this time it was little Hadley. She was inconsolable. After a while I heard Londyn's little voice in the back seat singing, “The Itsby, Bitsy Spider went up the water spout…”. My mind flashed back to the same moment with Cal, and my heart began to feel the same sharp pain. But then a miraculous and unexpected thing happened. Little Haddie started to calm down. I began to chalk it up to one of life’s strange coincidences when I saw movement in my rearview mirror. I looked back and noticed that Londyn was not just singing to her little sister, but she was signing the song to her as well. Haddie’s little eyes were fixed on Londyn's hands as “the rains came down and washed the spider out”. Sure enough her cries subsided as Londyn's hands and voice calmed her baby sister.

I was so proud of her...of all of us! What an incredible change our family has gone through in the past 3 years. An identical situation three years ago brought heartache and pain, but today it brought happiness and hope.

What a journey...

Welcome to the World Miss Hadley

2011-07-14T10:37:00.000-07:00

On June 22nd, 2011 our little family of 4 became a moderately sized family of 5. Hadley Perkins was born 6 lbs. 12 oz., blonde hair, blue eyes and is doing great. You forget how tiny newborns are. Hadley makes Calan look like a mid-sized linebacker. It’s fun to have a newborn in the house again, especially a little girl. Since this is our last kiddo, Brynn is soaking up every fleeting moment she can with Hadley. Calan shows mild interest in his baby sister, but Londyn adores her. She is such a good big sister, and helps her mom out a lot. We were warned again and again that the 3rd kid was the hardest. But so far it has been pretty good (granted we haven’t been overly adventurous). I imagine in a few weeks when Londyn starts kindergarten and Cal starts pre-school, our lives may be turned upside down.

For those that have asked or wondered - we did find out that little Miss Haddie is deaf. She failed her hearing screening at the hospital, so we scheduled a follow up ABR. (They test her little brain for sound response.) She is completely deaf, just like her big brother. I won’t lie, Brynn and I were devastated. We wallowed in sadness and our own self pity for about 24 hours. After a day or so of wallowing we decided it was time to move on. It’s pretty hard to stay down when you hold a beautiful baby girl in your arms. And when you listen to her deaf big brother sing her every word to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, there just isn’t much room for sadness. The road is hard, but fortunately it’s a road we know. So thank you all for your support and love. But this little family is going to be just fine. We may be the loudest house on the block, but we wouldn't have it any other way.

A Day in the Life...

2011-06-08T21:19:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately our house and kids usually look and dress like this. Fortunately they also do stuff like this all the time.

Hello? Anyone?

2011-06-08T10:45:00.000-07:00

I’m BAAAACK! – and as irrelevant as ever! Much like a Brittney Spears concert tour announcemetnt; I’m sure that the zero people that read this blog are rejoicing in my triumphant return.

Where to start? I guess I will start with the family.

Sadly Brynn has become horribly fat. I mean, really fat. I don’t know what happened –around 9 months ago she started putting on weight and now...– I mean it has gotten completely ridiculous. (What’s that?...Really?! Oh…)

UPDATE: Apparently Brynn is pregnant. 37 weeks to be exact. Phew! That is a relief. In a few short weeks we will have a new addition to the family. We are terr-ited (mix of terrified and excited). We will keep you up to date and will stream the complete live delivery on this blog - stay tuned!

Londyn just turned 5-years-old and heads to Kindergarten on August 3rd. I know you think you kids are cute and I’m sure they are – but they are probably dogfaces compared to Londyn. She is absolutely adorable keeps me laughing all day long. She still loves to dance and takes everything you say absolutely literal. I love that girl - even though with her blonde hair and blue eyes I'm 80% sure she is not mine.

Cal turns 3 in August and has discreetly turned from sweet little boy to terrorizing toddler. It is not that he is malicious or naughty – he just simply has no regard for anything containing matter or substance. But he has been out of diapers and in a big boy bed for 3 months so with that credit he worked his way up to a B-. Good on ya kid. He is doing incredibly well in speech/hearing. I will have to post video for you soon to boast how awesome he is.

That is my family in a nutshell (no idea what that means).

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-29T12:23:00.001-08:00

I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas this year! We had a great time, and Santa brought some great toys this year. Londyn asked Santa for a boom box with a microphone, and Cal asked for a train. Mommy and Daddy asked for a new dresser and a plasma TV! All in all it was a success. Here are a few pictures to highlight the fun we had!

My Boy

2010-10-08T10:19:00.000-07:00

Cal celebrated his one year hearing anniversary on the 5th of October. I cannot even begin to express how incredible this journey has been. Cal was born profoundly deaf – which means he heard nothing, notta, zip, zero. Two years ago we were told that our tiny little boy lived in complete and utter silence. So it was no small miracle, that on October the 5th of 2009; for the first time in his life, Cal could hear. For the first time in his little life he heard the voice of his mommy, and the sound of his big sister singing at the top of her lungs. He heard the mingling of laughter as his daddy tickled his ribs. A little boy whose world was absolute silence, could hear. So ended our journey…or so we thought.

As life has often taught me, the end of a journey is only the beginning of another. The last 365 days has been a blur of speech therapy, audiologists, doctors and homework. And slowly the little boy that could hear his mommy's voice for the first time, now cries out the word mommy. A little boy who could hear the screeching song of his big sister, now screeches right along with her. And now, one year later, our deaf little boy stumbles his chub around the house screaming out “Londyn, where are you!” whenever his adored sister is not in sight. As we walk through the refrigerated aisle at the grocery store he stops and whispers, “BRRRR it’s cold”. During his bedtime routine he lets you know, clear as day, that “I brush teeth” and “I read books!”

We are so proud of our little man. Happy anniversary buddy, I can’t wait to see what this next year brings.

Destin, FL

2010-08-11T20:38:00.000-07:00

If I retire somewhere, I think it may be down in Destin, FL. Flour white sand, crystal clear water, great restaurants and as far as I know - not a flake of snow all year round. Yes sir, I could definitely see Brynn and I gathering seashells on the shores of Destin in our Depends.

The trip was incredible. Even with a few minor set backs (record heat and algae beaches) we still had a great time. Even Cal on the plane (the thought alone gave me night sweats and shortness of breathe) did relatively well at 30,000 ft. Londyn loved playing with her cousins and Brynn even got herself an 8th grade Raging Waters Summer Pass Tan. A rare feat for for a mother of 2.

All in all. A good vacation with even better people.

Our Quiet Summer

2010-07-12T20:45:00.000-07:00

Yeah, yeah it’s been a while. Figure I’d give the quick Summer update. Londyn finished up dance and got a ridiculous trophy for being “Dancer of the Year”. Brynn pretended not to care, but she was beaming. I had to spend a week in St. Thomas for work, so Brynn volunteered to come along. We got stuck in Chicago for a few days, so we hit up a Cubbies game to make the best of it. Finally made it to St. Thomas where it was beautiful. If you ever have the chance to make it to St. John’s Island - GO! Best beaches in the world. (At least that I have seen.) Spent the 4th of July in Park City with our little family and are considering making into a tradition. Between all that we have managed camping and I’m not sure, but Brynn may have moved down to St George with her sister at some point. (Every free weekend she finds her way down there.)

Other than that we haven’t done a thing.

Londyn turned 4 years old!

2010-06-05T04:35:00.000-07:00

Londyn (of course) wanted a Disney Princess Party. It was a lovely day; so lovely we decided to have her party in the backyard. We put up tables and chairs and decorated the backyard with ribbon and balloons. Cinderella herself couldn’t have been more proud. Brynn even bought Londyn a huge Princess Castle balloon that she was thrilled about. The whole family was over: cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. We were set for a glorious evening. Just as everyone was settling in the incident occurred.

The boys were running around the back yard when Londyn's cousin ran by the balloons and couldn’t help but give them a little smack as he ran by. The balloons seemed to weather the assault except for one single balloon that dislodged itself from its string. 25 people watched in horror as the beloved big castle balloon slowly drifted away. Complete silence filled the backyard as the castle floated further and further into the earth’s atmosphere. The eerie silence was finally broken by a scream of a newly minted 4-year-old little girl. Londyn was devastated. It literally took me 15 minutes to stifle the sobs coming from her little body. The rest of the night was perfect. Presents to piñata, all had a great time – but looming in the northeast quadrant of the sky a little black dot with a drawbridge seemed to be mocking us from on high.

Happy Birthday Lou!

Trying to keep up with these 2...

2010-06-05T04:20:00.000-07:00

It's Grow Time...

2010-03-29T21:48:00.001-07:00

Alright Gents,

Entering it's 4th consecutive year, the time is upon us. As what started as a stiff breeze of male has turned into a full-force man-soon! I foresee a torrential downpour of testosterone and hair reigning upon our manly faces.

I speak of the one and only Cinco de Mustache.

The rules are simple:

1. Growing season begins April 1st.
2. Your face is your canvas; you do with it what you wish. Whether it be a beard, a goatee or the pure mustache. You grow until May 5, Cinco de Mustache.
3. On Cinco de Mustache, for the entire day, you must wear some form of mustache: the Handlebar, the Molester, the Moustachio (affectionately known as the Selleck), the Pornstache, the Walrus. It is your nose undergrowth, you decide. But for one day, May 5, you wear a mustache.
4. And remember, a mustache is an island. By connecting, you only cheat yourself.

The time is now! Relish your flavor savor. Conquer your mouth brow. Let your lip-mane ride free. Feed your face manimal.

It’s time to shed the shackles of the naked upper lip and tell the world “I am Man”. Put on your magnificent lip warmer friend, and join Cinco de Mustache!

Toss the razors and damn the wives. This is our DESTINY!

Good luck friends. Growing season starts Thursday.

A trip down man-mory lane - Cinco de Mustache 2009

Bye Bye Dude

2010-03-25T21:42:00.000-07:00

Quick Cal Update...

2010-03-16T12:35:00.000-07:00

The little fat man finally figured it out. After 14 months of immobility and 5 months of raw knees, he finally is up and waddling around on his own two feet. He cracks me up when he walks. It’s like watching a balloon animal wobble around the house. Besides walking he is also talking. It’s only been 5-months since we activated his cochlear implant and he is already saying about 10 words. It has been really fun to watch him learn to use his voice.

Walking and talking. The little dude is growing up…

Work-ation

2010-02-01T20:08:00.000-08:00

Took a little trip to Florida for work. And for those that say “Lucky, you got to go to Florida! I spent exactly 40 minutes outside of the hotel over the span 4 days. It was grueling and I am exhausted. So no. Not lucky me.

But there were some bright spots. I did get to drive an Audi R8. And for those that don’t know what that is; open another browser. No seriously, stop reading this and Google Audi R8 – I’ll wait...

How sexy is that car? Anyway, neither here nor there.

The one thing I do love about traveling though is the music. I don’t know what people did before ipods, but I pity them. What is better than cruising at 35,000 ft. rediscovering some lost gems in a random playlist somewhere. Do you remember how good Lightening Crashes (Live) is? What about some old Tom Petty? I don’t think I’ll ever reach enlightenment, but if I do it will be listening to the Eels at 6 ½ miles above the surface of the earth.

STEVE RECOMMENDS: Artists perfect for when you are at cruising speed: Anything by the Eels, Weepies, and for good measure throw in a classic like the Garden State soundtrack. You won’t be disappointed.

…and Delta? For hells sake just throw the baggage fee on my ticket price. This is getting ridiculous.

A Rather Belated Christmas...

2010-01-14T17:38:00.000-08:00

Londyn - Christmas morning

Cal & Lou - Christmas Day

Steve & Beav - still going strong

Cal climbing...as usual

These will be the good ol' days.

May Your Days be Merry & Bright

2009-12-20T15:08:00.000-08:00

The Rant of an Old Man

2009-12-16T11:54:00.001-08:00

I got cut off on the way to work this morning. The slam on your brakes, spill your contained beverage on your work khakis, cut off. And do you know what I did? Nothing. Notta. Zip. In fact, I wasn’t even that upset. I began the why process and came to one conclusion. Age. It’s not that I don’t have the youthful energy to flip someone the legendary long Perkins eff-you finger anymore - it’s that age has changed me. So here’s my theory. As we age, we change. Some good, some bad – but like it or not, it happens. Turns out at 28 years and 11 months, I am now officially too old for road rage. Take MTV for example. For years I watched MTV. And sometime in the last 5 years, I’ve stopped. MTV didn’t change, I did. It’s not that I am outraged or disgusted by the content, I just don’t get it anymore.

And when I hear popular music, I wonder how kids relate to it. To kids across America, is Killers to you what Weezer was to me? Is your Kanye my Snoop? Nickelback my Nirvana ? Your Jonas Brothers my Hansen?( …I’m kidding. Seriously, I was kidding about Hansen. I never listened to Hansen. SHUT YOUR FACE! EVERYBODY LOVED MMM.. BOPP!) But I digress.

Then there is my liberalism. Oh to go back to the days of when things were black and white. Black and white is so much easier than gray. But the older I get I figure life is hard enough without being rigid in my judgments. I’ve gone as far as liberalizing myself out of a religion. (insert awkward laugh here)

Maybe it’s being a month away from the big 2-Niner. Maybe you’ll read this and think me a rambling fool. But you can’t spell change without age. (I just made that up. Right here – on the spot. Honest truth, just as I typed it, I made it up.)

On to the point! The point is…oh forget it. I’m getting too old for this.

Dear Santa...

2009-12-05T10:12:00.000-08:00

Actually, this is Londyn's letter to Santa this year. Londyn talked and Brynn wrote.

Dear Santa,

You’re the coolest guy. You give presents. I want a unicorn, princess castle and princesses. Actually, I want Hungry Hippo. I think I need another present. Actually, I want my own tape. I want a new shirt that is actually green, so that I can where it to pre-school tomorrow. Bye- Bye and I love you.

Sincerely,

Londyn Perkins

The Perkins Get A Puppy

2009-11-17T17:41:00.001-08:00

I have never owned a dog. It’s not that I hate dogs or don’t think puppies are cute. I just am not a dog owner. So you can imagine my surprise when I found myself a proud owner of a 15-month old, 25 lb., bald little puppy dog. He is a happy little puppy. He does everything a little puppy is supposed to do. He loves finding an open bathroom door so he can paw at the toilet paper and play in the toilet. He eats any and every scrap of food we give him at the dinner table. And after dinner, he scours the floor for leftovers. He is constantly barking, and whines when he doesn’t get to go outside. He’ll fetch anything and bring it back dripping with slobber. He follows Londyn around the house at the slim chance she will stop what she is doing and play. To be honest, I just never thought I would own a puppy, but Calan has changed that. Cal is the best dog in the whole world.

The Wonderous Return of Mr. Bear Perkins

2009-11-04T20:10:00.000-08:00

It’s a sad truth that we all have to learn at some point in our lives. Things die. Butterflies, cows, dinosaurs, crushes on Jennifer Love Hewitt…One day it’s there - the next gone. Forever.

But every so often something comes along that finds a way. It’s sheer will to survive is too strong to roll over and say life’s proverbial “Uncle”. A rainbow after the storm, the great pacific manatee, the prodigal son…crushes on Jennifer Love Hewitt. Somehow, some way, they make their way back into our lives -time and time again.

Bear is Londyn’s rainbow. We underestimated that stuffingless grizzly.

Found by a 14-month-old little boy, in a drawer that no one knew existed. By some miracle Bear is back…and loved more than ever by a 3-year-old little girl.

Welcome home Bear. It was 2 months that seemed an eternity to Londyn.

Cal's Activation

2009-10-23T19:52:00.001-07:00

Well we guessed right! Everyone asked us how we thought Cal would respond when he was first turned on, and we said "he'll probably do his nervous laugh." He was such a good sport at the appointment. It is a long and strenuous process for a 1yr old, but he did a great job! For the past two weeks, Cal has just been getting acquainted with his implant. Yesterday we went in again and they activated more electrodes and turned it up a level. Today at breakfast Londyn started talking to Cal, and he turned and looked at her! I think it is the first time he has actually heard her talk. It has been a whole new world of fun at our house these last couple of weeks, and we are so grateful for the genius doctors that came up with this miraculous technology.

Here are a few pics of his new skull candy!

Cal's Implant

2009-10-20T18:34:00.000-07:00

Been pretty busy 'round the Perkins' abode. Cal's cochlear implant was activated, took a little trip to Disneyland, and we are in mid Utah football season (a very important time in the Perkins home). So pics & stories are soon to come, but for now here is what Cal's implant looks like.

Obituary

2009-09-24T13:21:00.001-07:00

Bear “B” Perkins - May 25, 2005 to September 10, 2009

Bear was born May 25, 2009 to Londyn Perkins. After a long battle of love and abuse, we lost Bear on September 10, 2009. Bear was a beloved member of the family that could be found anywhere Londyn was. He enjoyed naps, watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and having Londyn tell him stories at night. Bear especially loved being used as a weapon against Londyn’s younger brother, Calan. Survived by his best friend Londyn, brother “Monkey”, and numerous lifelong friends. While Londyn has been strong through this loss, our hearts and prayers are with Brynn Perkins whom is struggling with this tragedy. A traditional funeral will not be held, but a day of mourning is scheduled at the Perkins Home on Sept 26, 9am to 9pm. Family and friends are welcome to call during these hours for condolences.

Cal's Eventful Two Weeks

2009-09-06T09:47:00.000-07:00

Mr. Cal turned 1! He had a great party with family, ate some yummy cake, and got a whole bunch of fun presents! Since he turned one, our sweet, cuddly boy has turned into a complete maniac. Cal is definitely going to be a wild man like his daddy!

Cal's Surgery went extremely well. He was only in surgery for an hour and a half. They were able to place all of the electrodes in the cochlea without any complications. In fact, he was back to his normal self about 7 hours after the surgery. There were three other 1 year old babies that got implants that day, so Cal had a lot of fun playing with his new friends! Our little man is such a trooper, and we are so very proud of him!

Happy Birthday Cal!

2009-08-26T14:56:00.000-07:00

365 days ago that Brynn and I were in the hospital holding our tiny little infant. And here we are, one year later, holding a fat little man. And that fat little man has brought us more happiness then we ever thought possible. Calan is the type of kid that smiles for anybody, laughs for no reason, waves to passing airplanes and burrows into your neck when he’s tired. I’m lucky to be his Dad. Happy Birthday Cal.

T minus 16 days until Cochlear Implant, Pending Insurance...

2009-08-19T14:26:00.000-07:00

We have had several people ask us "what exactly is a cochlear implant?" It's funny because almost every person who asks says: "Sorry, I am totally ignorant about this sort of thing." Please don't be sorry. We didn't have a clue what a CI was until a week after we found out our son was completely deaf. I always love educating people on the implant because it is a medical miracle. Technology now provides the opportunity for deaf people to hear the world around them. Why on earth would you do this to your 1 year old child? Why do you not let him get older and chose for himself? Well, here are our answers: When implanted at 1, a child's ability to learn and adapt to the new sound in his or her environment is easier than when he is older. They generally speak better and hear better the younger they are implanted. It is an extremely tough decision to make when you have a deaf child. You have people judging you all over the place (hearing and deaf). We decided that we have to do what is best for our family. We are a hearing and speaking family, so we decided to have Calan go down this road. I respect both sides of the argument on implanting a child, and I support any decision a parent makes for their own child. We will still sign, we will still teach him deaf culture, and we will never, ever, ever brush aside the fact that he is deaf. It is who he is, and we love him for it!

Happy 24th

2009-07-24T13:21:00.000-07:00

To you and yours on this, the 24th of July...

The Calan Show

2009-07-16T09:24:00.001-07:00

Cal is signing a 10-month old signing fool. As of now he has signed at one time or another: daddy, mommy, more, milk, light, airplane, binky, want and a few others. It is awesome to watch your deaf child communicate with you. He is doing really well. He is scheduled for his cochlear implant surgery Sept. 4th and 30 days later his implant will be activated. So in roughly 12 weeks our little dude will be able to hear. It’s pretty crazy to think about it. He also is starting (okay trying) to crawl. It’s tough for the kid. He’s basically made out of chubby circles, but he’s getting there. Bottom line, Cal's a cute little dude that is always happy. I think we'll keep him around.

Ham Slams & Brown Air Biscuits

2009-06-19T14:55:00.000-07:00

Londyn toots…a lot. And to be honest, I think it's funny. I even think it’s funny she calls it a toot. (I guess it’s better than having your 3-year-old call it fart or butt-breath or something.) Every toot is hilarious to her and then she follows up her booty bomb by announcing it to anyone within hearing distance. A few days ago on the bed I aimed her little stinker at Brynn’s face, gave her a little tickle and pooooof...right on queue. Like I said she toots…a lot. It’s not a well kept secret that Brynn is the queen of the one-cheek sneak, so Londyn’s little talent is no surprise. But I digress. While watching a Tivoed recording of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (does anyone else Tivo cartoons for their kids or are we just horrible parents?) Anyways, while watching Mickey, Londyn let one rip and looked up at me just giggling and said, “I tooted.” Then it hit me. Does she do this at Pre-School? Nursery? Grandparents? I promptly made her say excuse me and told myself no more laughing at the toot. Being a parent is hard.

Proud Motherly Moments

2009-06-09T22:11:00.000-07:00

This last month has been filled with several "proud motherly moments." One of the first great moments was watching Cal sign for the first time. Of course it was "daddy," but that's okay. He is now signing ball, more, and mommy! It is so exciting to watch your child communicate, especially because you realize that they have actually been learning what you have been trying to teach them for the past 9 months!
My second proud moment was watching Londyn perform a dance routine for the first time. For all of you that know me, dance has been a humongous part of my life for the past 24 years. I will tell all of you dancers out there that there is not one single moment in your entire dancing career that will surpass the moment you watch your child on stage for the first time. She was awesome up there, and not to mention she was so stinkin' cute in her blue tutu!

Happy Birthday Londyn

2009-06-02T13:40:00.000-07:00

Roll Call

2009-05-24T10:52:00.000-07:00

Londyn turns the big 3-years-old tomorrow. She spends her days at pre-school, dance and singing around the house. She is still 90% cute 10% turd, but we wouldn't have her any other way.

Calan is finally sitting up and playing around. He is starting to sign a little more and Brynn and I fight everyday about if he signed Mommy or Daddy first. (Just for the record, it was Daddy.) He's a happy little dude that gets even happier in the presence of anything that resembles food.

Not much changes with the Beav & I. Brynn still teaching dance and Steve is liking the new job. (Although it is in Provo and I am surrounded by way too many byu DB's.) That's 'bout it for us.

Threads of Destiny

2009-05-11T21:42:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, my dad wrote a book. And after many edits and rewrites I finally made him stop and get it published. And the day is here. Larry Perkins is the author of the published novel: Threads of Destiny: Book One of the Bloodstone Amulet. I have read this book and I have to say it is pretty freakin' good. And not "good" becasue my dad wrote it either. It is an intense, fun, interesting historical fiction. Well done Larry T. And for those that want to read it...go and buy it on Amazon.com (I told you this thing was legit.)

(CLICK HERE TO SEE IT ON AMAZON)

Cinco de Mustache 2009

2009-05-05T19:53:00.000-07:00

I smell man. And that man is me. And the smell is mustache. Sweet, sexy, manly mustache. 2009 Cinco de Mustache was a raging success of testosterone and turned on women. The lip caterpillars came in all shapes and sizes this year. Present, was the Selleck, the Molester, the Little League Coach and more than a few Handlebar interpretations. It felt good filling my man tank with mustache gas. To all those that grew, I salute you. Here are a few pics.

WARNING: Contents may not be suitable for children under the age of 14.

euro '09

2009-04-06T21:02:00.000-07:00

I could throw out a few words like incredible, amazing, wow, breathtaking, dope, romantic, perfect and holy *&%#! But it will not even begin to describe how it feels to stand on top of the Eiffel Tower, walk the halls of Versailles, float the canals of Venice or stand in the center of Ancient Rome. Brynn and I came back full of memories (and gelato) and are already trying to figure out how to make our way back...

Creativity

2009-03-12T12:42:00.000-07:00

I get paid to be creative. By this standard, the director of this video should live in a house of gold and eat diamonds for breakfast.

Sleepy Cal

2009-03-10T10:51:00.000-07:00

Roll Call

2009-03-05T12:48:00.000-08:00

Been a bit since the last roll call so here we go.

Cal is still a happy, chubby lil' dude. Pretty sure he is starting to break a few teeth and is really starting to show his fun personality. He is doing really well with his hearing aids (when he's not pulling them out) and is even responding to sound. Check him out on his blog (CLICK HERE). He is still on schedule for a cochlear implant this summer, so it should be a busy year for Calan.

Londyn is 90% cute, 7% drama and 3% turd. She keeps the Perkins house interesting. She loves dance, Mickey Mouse, drawing, anything princess and learning sign language. She is always happy unless she is not getting exactly what she wants. I her words, she just likes everything "perfect".

Brynn is in dance competition season, which means all of her free time is consumed by dance. And as for me, I'm just waiting for 2 things: our vacation and for it to be warm enough to golf.

Consider yourself updated.

I'm going to go ahead and brag...

2009-02-13T12:59:00.000-08:00

I usually don’t use the blog in order to brag. But, in this particular entry I think I am going to go ahead and make an exception. Brynn and I just booked a trip to a few well-known destinations that we are rather excited about. Try Paris, Venice and Rome on for size. Go ahead and hate us, consume yourself with jealousy. Hate us as we look off the top of the Eiffel Tower, be jealous as we walk the palace of Versailles, despise us as we gondola the channels of Venice and breathe the air of the Caesars...I know I would.

Happy Birthday Daddy

2009-01-31T10:28:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Steve! We love you, and we are grateful for all that you do for us. You are a great daddy!

Farewell to a Friend

2009-01-21T09:44:00.000-08:00

(STOP! Don’t read! Turn up the speakers and wait for the music to load. Is the music on? Can you hear it? Good, now you may begin...)

Know this reader, I write these remarks with a trembling hand.

How can I put 7 years of worship into a few unadorned sentences? Remember when we just met, and I shamelessly admitted my love to you? Do you remember the time we went camping and I got you lost? But typical you…(sigh)…sweet typical you. You trusted in me and let me lead you back to safety. Ha! It seems like just yesterday that I talked you into getting that University of Utah tattoo on your back. I talked to you when know one else would listen. You heard me sing my (now broken) heart out. Oh the memories! How can I possibly live without you? I love you, I have from the first day I met you.

And though I no longer hold your key, you will always hold the key to my heart.

Goodbye my Jeep Cherokee. Goodbye my friend.

I’ve laughed in you, I’ve cried in you, I’ve brought home my first born child in you, I’ve even made love in you...a lot...(and it was good. Really good, seriously ask Brynn). But alas, our paths now divide. And now I leave with you the sweet words that have been sung in your belly...

And I'll take with me the memories
To be my sunshine after the rain
It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.
-Boys II Men

RESULTS!

2009-01-11T19:14:00.000-08:00

This last week has been a big week for little Cal. The long awaited (and dreaded) MRI finally happened on Wednesday. And a few long days later we got the results. Cal has all his little ear bits and pieces and appears to be a good candidate for cochlear implant surgery. Brynn and I are extremely excited about the news. By no means is this an easy road, but at least we know what road we are on, and that in itself it a tremendous relief.

Big Week for the Perkins

2009-01-07T10:35:00.001-08:00

It is only Wednesday, and this week has already been a huge week for us. Londyn had her first day of dance on Monday. She didn't even get off of my lap! She kept edging off of my legs toward the dance floor, but she didn't quite make it out there. She was more into me buying her some ballet slippers than actually dancing. We will see how it goes.

Today was Londyn's first day of Preschool! She is attending a toddler class for children that are developmentally delayed. Londyn will take as a non-delayed toddler to serve as a model for some of the other children. The first day was a huge success. Londyn loves her teachers, and she especially loves playing with all of the fun toys! She made a new friend named Jewel, and she completed a fantastic picture of snow. It is bitter sweet. She is growing up, which is so exciting, but it is going by way too fast.

Today is the day our family has been waiting for since we found out Cal had profound hearing loss. Cal is getting his MRI to find out whether or not he will be capable of hearing. Today determines Cal's entire future as far as language goes. Whichever road it is, we know that everything will be great. We have a beautiful, healthy little boy, and that is all a parent can ask for. Stay tuned for the results...

2008 IN REVIEW

2008-12-29T16:13:00.001-08:00

2008 will go down in the annals (great word) of the Perkins history as (shall I say)…an interesting year?

JANUARY - On January 1, 2008 we found out that Brynn was pregnant with Cal. It was a little sooner than we anticipated, but we kicked the year off with a doozy. The 3-of-a-kind, just became a Full House*.

*In reference to a poker term, not the early 90’s sit-com where a Father (a local morning talk-show host) and his 2 brothers (the ex-drummer from the band Jesse and the Rippers and a television commercial jingle writer) attempted to raise 3 mischievous young girls in the San Francisco, California area. With no help from a nosy neighbor by the name a Kimmie Gibbler I might add.

MARCH - With the discovery of the human growing inside of Brynn, we decided that the Riverton townhouse would no longer support the growing Perkins clan. So in March we bought our 1978 beauty located in WeJo (West Jordan - that will catch on, you just watch).

MAY - In May, we held the hallowed Cinco de Mustache party. I’m sure the onslaught of mustached men showing up at our new home raised a few eyebrows in the neighborhood.

May also took us to Destin Beach, FL. This goes down as one of the best Perkins’ vacations ever. (I am looking at this picture and wondering why I live in Utah…seriously why?)

May 25, 2008 – Londyn turned 2 years old! Happy Birthday Lou! How exciting!
May 26, 2008 – (Excitement terminated as Brynn and I realize that 2 year olds are completely insane.)

AUGUST - Brynn became a birthing stallion and gave way to a 6 lb. 15 oz. little boy. Calan “Cal” Taylor Perkins became the newest appendage to the Brynn and Steve Show.

SEPTOBER - September and October was a blur of doctors’ appointments and hearing tests. End result: we found out that Calan is profoundly deaf. September and October was like a binge feed at the local Chuck-A-Rama. We consumed everything way to fast, and now we are still trying to figure out how to digest it all.

OCTOBER - (Sorry Brynn, had to post it)…Steve goes to Fenway! Steve also gets a new job. But did I mention that I saw the Sox come back from a 7 -0 deficit in the ALCS game 5?

NOVEMBER - Utah beats TCU in a thriller, and beats (Blue Team) in a killer. I just made that up, that’s what’s up. I can do this all day. Don’t get in my way…and I once got busy in a Burger King bathroom. (Bonus point for anyone who can name that gem.)

DECEMBER - Brynn turned 27, Steve became Scuba Steve and Londyn legally changed her name to Dorothy. I am the Can (Tin Man). Brynn is…(you guessed it), the Witch.

New house, new kid, new job, new challenges…2008 will definitely go down as one of our more eventful (going on) 7 years of marriage. To all those that have spent it with us, God bless. It has been a great year.

Merry Chrismtas

2008-12-23T08:59:00.000-08:00

Christmas means a lot of things to a lot of people. It is a time a giving, a time a sharing, even a time of receiving. I just want you all to remember, that most of all it is a time of remembrance...

(My M.O. is usually not to post these random videos on my blog. This must be some sort of phase I am going through. I will get back to writing soon...)

Wow...

2008-12-17T08:38:00.000-08:00

Have you ever come across something that is so incredibly cool, that you feel it is your social responsibility to share it with people? This is one of those things...

Dear...

2008-12-16T09:50:00.001-08:00

Dear guy who wrote "Christmas Shoes",

I want to punch your face off with a waffle iron.

Sincerely,

Steve

Attn: North Pole

2008-12-03T16:50:00.000-08:00

Londyn wrote her letter to Santa today. Londyn talked, Mom wrote...and this is the result.

Dear Santa,

I want a dress with polka dots. I want a toy. I want some dinner. I want chicken. I want a Cinderella and a garden, all by myself. I would like some presents. Merry Christmas.

Love,

Londyn

Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite Color?

2008-11-23T19:57:00.001-08:00

Tis' the season to be Jorry...(anyone?...The Christmas Story, well done.)

It's that time of year when we searched out the dusty old bins in the basement labeled "Christmas" and bathed our home in Holiday cheer. Brynn began to pull out the garland, the nativity, the stocking and the Santa's...and I pulled out my decoration. Santa and Rudolph cruising in their six-foe, blasting "Low Rider" music. (What can I say? I prefer the classics) Anyhow, this is neither here nor there.

Londyn got her hands on this little piece of Chritmas and began to creatively express herself to the music. Her dancing is 90% cute and 10% kind of, well...sad. A little too reminiscent of Elaine's dancing on a classic Seinfeld episode if you ask me. "It's more like a full body dry heave Jerrry..."

Lou & Cal

2008-11-18T17:42:00.000-08:00

A typical night at the Perkins abode...we're a classy bunch.

Cal's Blog

2008-11-13T16:44:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I get a lot of requests for updates on Cal. Thank you all so much for your thoughts and concern. However, I hate that all of my entries about Cal revolve around his deafness. So in an effort to keep this a fun family blog, I have created another blog that will strictly give you updates on Calan's hearing loss adventures.

Click on the link to see Cal's newest accessories...

CLICK HERE

Thanks All!

Lil' Cal Update

2008-11-06T12:54:00.000-08:00

Cal has been a really good kid. He is 2 months old now and huge. In fact, I feel like he needs some type of breast support, but what can you do? He is smiling ton; and not the mouth smile either, when Cal smiles his whole face smiles. He talks non-stop and loves his big sister. He's a cute little dude.

A few weeks ago, we went in for his second ABR (Auditory Brain Response) Hearing Test, and the results were the same. Cal's brain does not register sound at any level tested, which puts him in the profound hearing loss column. After that test, he was fitted for hearing aids, and actually gets them next week. The hearing aids really shouldn't do much for Cal because his hearing loss is so severe, but he has to wear them for 6 months before they even think about cochlear implant surgery. So we are just taking the necessary steps.

The next big appointment for Cal is the MRI. They will do this in the next few months to determine if he can qualify for a cochlear implant. If he can qualify for that, they will do that surgery as early as 12 months. The cochlear implant would give Cal some hearing capabilities. However, If he does not qualify for the implant, Cal would having no hearing capability. So for now it is little bit of a waiting game.

Brynn, Londyn and I are learning ASL and it has turned out to be really fun. We are not that good yet, but we will be pros by the time Cal starts to communicate.

...Anyways that's the update.

Halloween 2008

2008-11-01T09:33:00.000-07:00

Meet Londyn the Mouse...

...and her trick or treating crew.

...and her best friend, Saucy the Pirate...

...waddling up to the houses...

...screaming "Trick or Treat!"

And after a long night of candy collecting, it's time to go home.

The Game

2008-10-30T17:00:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted about this yet...maybe I'm not sure that I can put it into words. Maybe I’m still a little shell-shocked about how it all went down. But here it is two weeks later and it is time I share with you the single greatest moment of my life:

The Date: October 16, 2008.
The Place: Boston, Massachusetts
The Purpose: ALCS (Game 5: Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays)

For those that do not know I am a Boston Red Sox fan. I have been for quite sometime. I love baseball in general. In fact, one of my life goals is to watch a game in every MLB ballpark. So it probably goes without saying, Fenway Park is my Mecca. It is the Holiest of Holies. (But I digress...)

About 6 weeks ago I found out that I would be traveling to Boston for work. Of course I did a little research and found that Boston could possibly be playing while I was there, however the stars must align. Certain teams would need to win, other teams would need to lose home field advantage, Red Sox would have to advance. Long story short, I needed a miracle.

Okay, okay...I'll fast forward...

On October 16, 2008 I found myself sitting in the beating heart of baseball itself, Fenway Park, getting ready to watch the Boston Red Sox play the Tampa Bay Rays in an elimination game for the American League Championship. It was unbelievable…at first. But slowly my light was dimmed as I watched the Red Sox slowly fall into a 7-0 deficit by the bottom of the 7th. I sat in my seat trying to tell myself that the $250 I spent for the ticket was well worth it.

Then it happened...Poppy hit a home run, Yooouk drove in some runs and before I know it I am standing with my fellow Sox fans witnessing the greatest comeback of post-season history. Bottom of the 9th, all tied up, J.D. Drew steps up to the plate...MAYHEM.

I know, I know...Sox lost the next game and the Rays went on to lose in the World Series. But know this, after the pandemonium that followed the game winning run and the crowd died down a bit. I breathed in Fenway Park, beheld the fans, the team, the sheer experience of it all...and I cried. I say this with absolutely no shame, tears rolled down my cheeks.

Brynn likes to remind me that I did not shed a tear at our beautiful wedding, or at the miracle birthing of our 2 children. And I tell her this…”Things have happened in my life have brought me greater happiness than any single event ever could. But if I was to break my life down into a series of moments. A lifetime a distinct experiences or instances...then October 16, 2008, Boston Massachusetts, Fenway Park, ALCS Game 5 was the single greatest moment of my life."

To this outpouring of my soul, Brynn's response is this..."You're an idiot."

Something to gnaw on...

2008-10-23T22:04:00.000-07:00

Recently my cousin (who I really respect and like) sent me an email chain supporting the ban of gay marriage in California. I have seen a lot of this going around lately and I finally felt like I needed to voice my opinion. This is the last letter I wrote him after we had shared a few thoughts back and forth…

Billy Joe Bob (I am protecting his anonymity),

Before we end our little debate I would like to take this full circle. Let’s go back to what sparked this whole thing; the Proposition 8 vote and others like it around the country. You clearly have a moral issue with gay marriage. Your personal values tell you that gay marriage is wrong. If you wanted to forbid it in your family, religion, or faith, I do not seek to sway you in any way. I honestly respect and understand where you are coming from. What I cannot understand why you feel you would need to force your personal believes by voting to ban gay marriage.

We don’t get to choose whom we are attracted to. I’ve never made the choice that I’m attracted to women; it is just how I am made up. Based upon your previous argument you feel the same way. We believe people are born gay. Just as people are born black, straight, female or redhead: we cannot change who we are. Nor should we try. Then how can we as a society (Americans no less) tell homosexuals that they do not have the right to the same freedoms that we have?

Turn the tables for once. What if your religion and government told you that being straight was evil. Marriage between man and woman was unnatural. Would you start looking for a boyfriend? Would women suddenly become repulsive? Of course not…nothing would change. You would still be attracted to women. You would still seek a life partner. And you would still want to marry the girl of your dreams. You cannot change who you are.

So why is it that we all agree people are born gay, but then turn around and fault them for it? We continue to push it further by stating that they do not have the right to act upon what’s normal to them. And take it all the way by voting (even campaigning) against gay marriage. It doesn’t make sense. I have been married for 6 years. I have a beautiful wife and 2 incredible children. I didn’t marry Brynn because she was a woman. I didn’t marry Brynn because someone deemed it socially acceptable. I married Brynn because I loved her and wanted to spend my life with her. How could I possibly justify denying someone else of that freedom?

You are right about one thing; marriage doesn’t mean a whole lot anymore. I can get married in a drive-thru in Vegas (by Elvis). I can mail order a bride from Russia. I can even marry 2 women (in Colorado City). Marriage is simply a word. What marriage can be is what makes it special. Marriage can be a life long partnership between two people that love, respect and cherish one another. Marriage, when treasured is something I hope to never rob anyone of, regardless of gender.

You do not belief that gay marriage is good for you and your values. I respect that. But what gives you the right to tell people how to live? Why would you want to rob someone of their liberty and pursuit of happiness? This vote is not a poll for our moral values; if won, it will deny people of the right to be who they are.

-Steve

Life at the Perkins

2008-10-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

As you all know, things have been quite bleak around the Perkins' household. Steve and I just want to thank everyone for the kind words and support. We have received so many comments and e-mails from all of you, and we are so grateful to be in your prayers. Things are getting better. Steve and I are extremely blessed to have the rambunctious 2 year old that runs our house! The day that we found out Cal had hearing loss; I was doing dishes at the sink bawling. Londyn was busy playing with her bear when all of the sudden I heard her say, “Mommy, B smells like farts.” Who can continue crying when they hear something like that! I really needed a good laugh, and Londyn definitely delivered.
Today we had an appointment with the Ear Nose and Throat doctor to get a prescription for hearing aids. While we were getting ready to go, Londyn spotted a U of U sweatshirt jacket in Cal’s drawer (size: 3-6 months). Londyn of course had to wear it, and we could not convince her to take it off. We spent the morning running errands with Londyn in a jacket that came to her elbows and barely reached her belly button. I know that Heavenly Father gave me Londyn, so that I could have a few good laughs during this hard time.
Cal goes in for a repeat ABR test to make sure the results were accurate, and he will then be fitted for his hearing aides. He is such a sweetheart, and I am anxious to be done watching him get poked and prodded by so many doctors!

Update on Cal

2008-10-06T15:05:00.001-07:00

Truth be said, it has been a rough week. For all those that don’t know, here is the update…Cal has failed all of his hearing tests since birth. Last Thursday we took him to an audiologist to measure if and how severe his hearing loss was, and the news wasn’t good. Cal is completely deaf. He has profound hearing loss in both ears.

What a strange thing to even write. Things like this happen to other people, never yourself.

Anyway, as of now he does not register any hearing capability. Our big hope is that the type of damage he has would allow him to receive cochlear implants. He will get an MRI in the next few months to determine if that is even a possibility. But right now we just don't know. As we find out more in the coming months, we will try and keep everyone informed.

It probably seems strange to blog about this, but I figured there were those out there who would want to know, and it’s not an easy thing to just call people and talk about.

Thanks to all of our family and friends who have been so supportive.

Pictures

2008-09-23T20:56:00.001-07:00

Brynn and I are still running on a few hours of sleep a night. So if you are looking for a cute or anecdotal story, go to Hallmark. Only pictures this time around folks...

Family Reunion at Bear Lake

The Freaking Garden of Eden

2008-09-18T12:39:00.000-07:00

Londyn loves to go over to Papa's and play in his back yard. She will throw rocks in the waterfall, pick raspberries, and swing on the play set. If you have never been to Mr. Perkins' backyard, it is incredible. Here's a little taste of the glory.

(And to all you naysayers, this is in Taylorsville proper…)

Mucho props Grandpa.

Lou and the Grasshopper

2008-09-10T10:31:00.000-07:00

Since Calan has been born the Perkins’ family has been on lockdown. You know how it is, you just don’t venture out much with a new born baby. But, Sunday was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, it smelled like Fall, Londyn had been cooped up for the last few weeks; it was time to get out. Nothing too adventurous: just a nice leisurely walk along the Jordan River Parkway.

It started out like any other walk. The sun on our faces, Londyn looking for “treasures” (a.k.a. rocks, flowers and bugs), all in all we were having a good time. Londyn especially liked the animals. We saw an ant, a spider; I even caught a frog and showed it to her. But the best part for Londyn was the grasshoppers. They were all over the walkway. I would put my foot next to a grasshopper and it would jump away and Londyn would laugh and laugh. “What a great day” I thought to myself. Then up ahead we saw a BIG grasshopper. It was bright green and probably 2 ½ inches long. As foolhardy as ever I stomped my foot behind the grasshopper, but in instead of jumping away (causing much laughter) it jumped right on Londyn’s bare left arm (causing pure terror). I will not even attempt to describe poor Londyn’s face as the massive grasshopper landed upon her, but suffice it to say she was reduced to a pile of panic and fear. As she violently shook her arm to rid her flesh of this leaping beast, at last the grasshopper dislodged itself from her arm and hopped away. The screaming and crying that followed were in Brynn’s words, “homesick”.

Since Sunday, this tale of trepidation and horror has been shared countless times in the Perkins’ home. Many a time a day, (including last night at 3 o’clock in the morning) Londyn will ask me to tell her the story of “Londyn and the Grasshopper”. She loves to hear me tell the tale. And every time I finish telling her of the day the hopping monster terrorized our Sunday walk, she looks at me with her big blue eyes, smiles her big toothy smile and says “He liked me Daddy! The grasshopper really liked my arm!”

To be honest, I have no idea if Londyn will be forever scarred by her run in with the grasshopper, or if she thinks she made a friend that day. Whichever the case, grasshoppers have now replaced “baby brother” as the # 1 topic in the Perkins’ home.

Life with Two Kids

2008-09-07T21:20:00.000-07:00

This was quite the eventful week. My sister Brooke had her baby girl on Labor Day, and she is so darling. It was also my first week home with two kids, and it was actually do-able. Of course Londyn always needs to go potty when I am feeding Cal, so I have learned to get her pants down, put her on the toilet, and wipe her all with one hand. Yes I know, probably not the most sanitary, but you do what you have to do. Londyn loves Calan. She is an excellent big sister. She is always asking if baby brother can lay with her for her naps, or if baby brother can come with us to grandmas, etc. The most challenging thing is leaving the house. On Friday we went to visit baby Oakley (Brooke's new baby girl), and it took me an hour and a half to get all of us ready and out the door. It was quite the event, and I was exhausted by the time we got home! I am sure I will adjust, but I am definitely not looking forward to when I have to go to the grocery store.

Calan Taylor

2008-08-28T21:03:00.000-07:00

Well after nine months of waiting, he's here. I am pleased to introduce you to the newest member of the Perkins' clan, and heir to all that I own (meaning my homeade ice cream maker and my playing card collection)...Calan Taylor Perkins. He was born at 8:03am on Tues morning. He was 6 lbs. 15 oz, and perfect in every way. Mom is a stud and was up and out of the hospital the next day. Baby is perfect, Londyn loves the new kid and Dad is beaming. More to come soon...

Cal

Mom and her kids

Dad taking his boy home

Chances...

2008-08-11T09:02:00.000-07:00

There is a good chance that if you walked into my house right now you would hear me playing a fake trumpet. There is a 100% chance that if you were to ring my doorbell that you would hear a certain melody emanating from the device…(thank you 1978 house with a doorbell that plays over 50 songs!). Chances are that if you walked into my house at any given time you would be hard pressed to find me anywhere but directly in front of the television. Chances are, if you looked closely you might see a tear role down that whiskery cheek of mine…(damn you Bob Costas!)

Well by now you know I speak of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The fake trumpet would be playing the Olympic Theme. The Doorbell?…the Star Spangled Banner. The tears?...shameless.

It’s true. I am completely obsessed with the Olympics. I watch anything and everything that comes on. Badminton, volleyball, gymnastics, basketball, diving…let’s not even get started about my man-crush with Michael Phelps. Bottom line, GO USA! If you are in the neighborhood, drop on by and come watch a match or two. The trumpets will be blaring, the doorbell a singing, and the Perkins’ a cheering. U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A…

To My Son...

2008-08-01T12:49:00.001-07:00

With a new boy on the way (less than 30 days!), I often think about what he will be like. I don’t have a particular profile of what I want him to become; he can be an athlete, a scholar, a politician, or a musician. He can do anything he wants in life and I will love and respect him. The do’s are endless, it’s the DO NOT’s that concern me the most. I have compiled a short list of DO NOT’s that my son must know before he is born.

10 Simple Rules for Becoming My Son

1. Don’t be one upper. Everyone hates a one-upper. The only thing worse than a one-upper is…. don’t be that guy.

2. Don’t ever disregard proper urinal etiquette standard: 1 urinal minimum between you and another urinator. (Single Exception: Sporting Events)

3. Don’t be a Yankee fan. Everyone will hate you.

4. Don’t be a BYU fan. Everyone may not hate you, but I will.

5. Don’t be they guy who talks about how fast he drives…”Well, it will take you 4 hours to get to St. George…but, when I drive 3.”.Great dude, go drive off a cliff.

6. Don’t be the guy in the office who takes a practice golf swing (without a club) every 10 minutes. Everyone hates that guy and his 29-handicap.

7. Don’t tell me your becoming a male cheerleader for “the chicks”. Just come out, I will love you just the same.

8. Don’t be mean to your mother. She may never hurt you, but I will. So be nice.

9. Don’t be the kid that tries to nickname himself. If you are that kid, chances are you already have a nickname that you don’t know about.

10. If you wear G-Unit clothing, you have better of joined a prominent gang. Similar rule, if you wear skater shoes, you had better be able to do at least a kick flip or drop in a half pipe or something. Similar offenses: Do not tuck anything into basketball shorts and do not wear socks with sandals.

There will be other do not's, but this should keep you honest for a while. You have a got a Mommy, Daddy and big sister who can’t wait to meet you…see you soon…

Love,

DAD

Londyn is a Big Girl!

2008-07-30T13:42:00.000-07:00

My baby girl is all grown up. Londyn is officially sleeping in her "big girl bed" in her "big girl bedroom." She now refers to her crib and nursery as "baby brother's room." She is actually doing a pretty good job in there. She has only fallen off of the bed once, and she has only come into our bedroom twice in the middle of the night. Overall, I can say that is has been pretty successful. I am sad to see her growing up, but it is a relief when you have another one on the way.

Hooray, Londyn went pee-pee! Steve and I decided to embark on the potty training adventure last week. I won't lie, it has been tough! Londyn and I (and daddy when he could) have spent the last week in quarantine. I refused to put a diaper on her during the day so that we could conquer this task. It took a few packs of gum and a bag of dum dums, but she is finally trained. My advice to pre-potty training mothers:

1. Ignore anyone that tells you their child potty trained in three days. It takes a couple of weeks for you to even get the idea into your kid's head.

2. Don't put a diaper on your kid for any reason (accept naps and bedtime). If you interrupt your potty training to go to the store, or in our case Lagoon, you will have to start over the next day.

3. Good luck! It is tough. Don't let anyone tell you that it is easy. I always say "Expect the worst, and you will be pleasantly surprised by the outcome!"

I am sure we have many accidents in our future, but I am so glad that the hardest part is finally over. Londyn is officially a "Big Girl."

The Weekend Update

2008-07-28T17:58:00.000-07:00

A weekend with the Bee's, BBQ's and Lagoon. Gotta love the long weekend.

6 of Many...

2008-07-21T21:03:00.000-07:00

July 18, 2008
Steve: “Londyn, guess what today is?”
Londyn: “What?”
Steve: “It’s Mommy and Daddy’s Anniversary!”
Londyn: “NO! I don’t want to go to nursery!”
That little conversion was followed up by a patented Londyn Tantrum, grade level 4. (The scale ranges from 1 to 10. 1 being a strong whine, 10 being that she usually sustains an injury during the tantrum.)

Anyhow…back to July 18, 2008. Brynn and I celebrated our 6th Anniversary. In 6 years not a day has gone by that I don’t appreciate how lucky I am. Brynn is smart, patient selfless, smoking hot, and my best friend. The celebration was simple: an afternoon matinee, a filet at Ruth’s Chris and some adult entertainment to wrap up the evening. 6 of many Brynn, I love you.

The rest of the weekend we spent in a little cabin with my brother’s family. Londyn loves hanging out with her cousins. Good week for the Steve and Brynn Show.

Londyn loves being with her cousins

My daughter completely wasted on IBC Cream Soda.

Smith & Morehouse Reservoir - It was freezing, but Londyn and Hayden jumped right in.

Londyn with her Grandpa Bevan up at Gateway

The Steve and Brynn Show

2008-07-16T08:12:00.000-07:00

After a lively Sunday afternoon of watching a Run’s House marathon, it got me thinking. What would the Brynn and Steve Show be like…as a reality tv show…

Setup: (Steve after a long day of work walks into the Perkins’ home)

Steve: Hey Brynn, what’s up?
Brynn: Nothing…except for the fact I’m pregnant, it’s 100 degrees outside and I’ve had taco pits since 8:30 this morning.
Steve: Oh
Brynn: (kisses Steve) How was your day?
Steve: Good
Brynn: What do you want for dinner?
Steve: Well, in a few weeks my garden should produce a lovely variety of corn, edamame and tomatoes.
Brynn: (rolls her eyes) You don’t even like tomatoes.
Steve: THAT’S BESIDE THE POINT! (Storms out of room)

(Steve storms from kitchen into family room)

Steve: Hi Londyn, what are you doing?
Londyn: Hi Daddy. I went in big girl potty!
Steve: You did? Good job Londyn!
Brynn: (yells from kitchen) No she didn’t.
Steve: Oh.

…it would go on from there. Then I would always end the show by saying, “God is Love, Steve.”

Family Update

2008-07-08T20:26:00.000-07:00

LONDYN…Monsters Inc., swing sets and chicken nuggets. That pretty much sums up Londyn’s life right now. That and the fact that she is convinced that her baby brother is inside her belly.

BRYNN…Brynn’s life is full of counting. She is teaching Londyn how to count. She counts out loud while she does choreography for dance. She is counting on me to finish up the Londyn’s room before the baby comes, and she is counting down the days until she has this baby boy. Something about being really pregnant and it being 103 degrees don’t mix. (54 days to go…)

STEVE…And Steve. Still at XanGo, still liking it. Still has a garden that everyone still makes fun of. Still getting crap from his buddies about not being able to go to the Utah vs. Michigan game at the Big House. Still sick about missing a four foot eagle putt.

Boys & Bubbles

2008-06-24T20:01:00.000-07:00

I was going though our pictures and it seems that Londyn likes 2 things: boys and bubbles. Here's a little shout out to all of Londyn's little boyfriends.

Londyn and Wyatt (Ash & Jon's little dude)

Lou & Blake (Chad & Lindsay's little dude)

Londyn & her cousin Sawyer

Londyn and her cousin Hayden.

It would appear that Londyn is in desperate need of a few girlfriends. If you have a daughter between the ages of 18 months and 3 years old, please send and application and head shot to Brynn c/o Londyn Girlfriends. Thank You.

Happy Father's Day

2008-06-16T15:00:00.000-07:00

Well to all of you daddies out there, Happy Father’s Day! Londyn has officially reached that age. You know, the age that they tell daddy what you bought him at the store. As soon as Londyn and I came home from shopping she said, “Daddy, we got you a shirt!” Nice surprise for Steve!

Londyn has the best daddy in the whole world. She loves spending time with Steve out in the yard. Every Saturday Londyn helps her daddy weed, mow, and check on the garden. Steve is always taking Londyn to do fun things. She still talks about the fishies and rays at the Sandy Aquarium!

Just to show Londyn what a great daddy he is, Steve and Brent spent the whole Saturday before Father’s Day putting together a swing set for Londyn! Now Londyn can go out back to “her park” instead of walking down the street.

Happy Father’s Day Steve! Londyn and I love you so much!

Londyn's Letters

2008-06-06T09:36:00.000-07:00

Londyn has been learning her letters lately. She is pretty good, but occasionally gets stumped between the X and the K, or the W and M. Overall though, she is doing pretty well.

(And yes, we are bragging our daughter like a sideshow circus would a bearded lady...Dance, Monkey...Dance!)

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

2008-06-05T11:21:00.000-07:00

I am shamelessly plugging one of my all time favorite tv shows, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. I saw a commercial for this fall's season premier and got all hyped up. It’s not for everyone, but if you laugh at this clip you are standing on the tip of a hilarity iceberg. Enjoy…

Work Trip

2008-06-01T04:32:00.000-07:00

It is the butt crack of dawn. I am sitting in the Orlando Airport waiting to fly back to the Salt Lake City to see my girls…NATIONAL SECUIRTY UPDATE: We are at terrorist level orange…as opposed to what? Fuschia??? Who knows what that means anyways?
Alright back on track...in the Orlando Airport, the dawn is still butt crack and I am returning from a 5-day XanGo Convention. I love my job, but work travel sucks. I think the root of the suckiness lies in the fact that I have to work when I travel for work. For instance, instead of going to Disney World, Universal Studios and Cocoa Beach…I spent the week explaining the benefits of a mangosteen beverage to a slew of crazy people. (And not haha crazy people, but seriously institutional crazy people.) Basically it boils down to this, when I get home and say I have been in Orlando for a week…if any of you dare say “Oh lucky!” or “Awesome!”, there is a good chance I will flip you off and call you a douche bag behind your back. Consider yourself warned…

Flights boarding…

Destin, Florida

2008-05-25T21:17:00.000-07:00

Well, sadly the Brynn and Steve Show is back on the map. After an 8 day, 7 night hiatus in Destin Beach, Florida, we are back…and miserable. We are miserable because we left an incredible beach house, white sand that felt like flour between your toes, the crystal clear waters of Golfo de Mexico, and balmy but pleasant 85 degree temperature. It just pure sucks to be back. It was one the best vacations Brynn and I have ever gone on. Shout out to Lisa and Brent for renting the beach house…definitely indebted.

And I can’t end without wishing our little girl a Happy 2nd Birthday!

2 years ago today, Londyn crawled out of her mom’s uterus and into our hearts. Happy Birthday Lou! We are having a little party for her Tuesday, so stay tuned for some post-shindig pics.

Dear Mommy...

2008-05-12T09:38:00.000-07:00

Dear Mommy,

Thank you for always making sure I have a hair bow on my bald little head. Thank you for teaching me to count to 10 as I walk up the stairs (sorry for always forget the number 4). Thank you for responding to me when I say “Guess what?” (Even though I don’t know what “guess what” means, so I don’t really follow it up with anything.) Thank you for rocking me a minute before I go night night. Thank you for teaching me all of my favorite songs. Thank you for letting me use your garments as Bear’s soft blanket. Thank you for letting me eat my cereal in bed, even though daddy gets mad at you for it. Thank you for TiVoing Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for me. Thank you for always treating Bear like a part of the family and washing him when he is stinky. Thank you for cuddling me when I’m chilly. Thank you for taking me on walks to the park. Thank you for being my best friend. Thank you for being my Mommy.

Happy Mother’s Day Mommy. I love you.

Love,

Londyn

Cinco de Mustache - 2008

2008-05-06T10:13:00.001-07:00

The 2008 Cinco de Mustache Extravaganza was simply glorious. The children played, the wives gossiped, and the men stroked their mustaches in satisfaction. Thanks to all for such an occasion. It will long live in my man hair memory. Until next year…

-Steve

2008-05-05T09:29:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,

I have come to a realization. The epiphany came to me just last night. Brynn’s sister, Brook, spent the weekend cleaning out her basement. They showed up to Sunday dinner with a lamp, a few frames, and a statue. A few months ago, my sister Lisa decided to finish her basement…Brynn and I ended up with 2 couches, a desk, and a chair.

Okay, so what is the realization, the epiphany, the insight I speak of?..
I am my family’s D.I. I am the family Goodwill, Savers, Red Cross the good old fam-damnily Deseret Industries.

I don’t mean to sound ungrateful here. We have received some really nice things over the years. Couches, chairs, bedroom sets, armoires…I could go on and on. I just never thought I was one of those people.

There is a an old stand-up comedy bit that says, “Every group of friends has an ugly friend…and if you don’t know who the ugly friend is…it’s you.”

Well, maybe every family has D.I. And until about 24 hours ago I couldn’t tell you who ours was. Well I can now. We are the Steve and Brynn Show, the family D.I…pleased to meet you. We are the one and only stop you make before the D.I., and we are proud of it.

Keep it coming family. We have yet to buy a couch in our 6 years of marriage and don’t plan to buy one any time soon.

Yours Truly,

Steve and Brynn

A few pics past due...

2008-04-30T18:09:00.000-07:00

Here she is, the brand new 1978 beauty. Come on by for the official tour.

She's a heart breaker

I have to give a shout out to Johnny for coming through Saturday with tickets to the Jazz game. Good time, great tickets...atta' boy Joe-Nathan.

Lou Pics

2008-04-24T19:10:00.000-07:00

Seriously, even for Londyn...wow

Londyn and her favorite new sunglasses.

I call it my Cinco de Mustache canvas. Brynn refers to it as her arch nemesis. Meet the beard.

Now Available!

2008-04-22T12:41:00.000-07:00

You listen to music and I listen to music. You may not like the music I listen to, but then again, you might. I might like the music you listen to, but I will never know what music you listen to because you are selfish. I am not, not anymore...

This is why I have released 2 albums: Assorted Compilation of Music that I Seem to Like this Month: VOLUME I and Assorted Compilation: VOLUME II.

"Tell 'em how to get one, Chuck!" It's easy, just ask Steve or Brynn if you can get your hands on one.

Sample of artists: Get Set Go, The Decemberists, Deathcab for Cutie, and many more...

Londyn's Sleep Talking

2008-04-21T11:05:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows Londyn, knows that she doesn't leave home with out "Bear." Because the Bizzle is Londyn's best friend, Steve decided to make up a good night song for him. It goes a little something like this:

Listen up Bear it's time to go to bed
Listen up Bear it's time to rest your head
Listen up Bear just close your eyes
and dream of Hot Dogs and Butterflies

Londyn Loves this song, and she requests that we sing it every night before bed. When she wakes up in the morning we ask her "What did you dream about last night?" And without fail, she replies "hot dogs." Londyn had a nightmare last night, so I let her get into bed with Steve and I around 4am. At about 7:30 this morning, Londyn rolls over in her sleep and says "Stop it! That's my hot dog." I guess she really does dream about hot dogs.

Well...

2008-04-17T15:22:00.001-07:00

Well, today was the day. And without further adieu...I'd like to introduce you to the newest member of the Perkins' family...

Meet our new baby...

And meet his junk...

That's right, it's a BOY! As soon as the lady said it was a boy, both Brynn and I asked, "Are you sure?" Sure enough (after a little coaxing) there it was, his little junk telling us, I'm all boy. Brynn and I are so excited. The baby looked healthy and strong, which is always the biggest relief. And the doctor kept the due date right about Sept. 2, the exact same due date as Brynn's sister. Londyn is excited too. Finally someone for her to beat up on...(besides all of your kids).

That's it for us.

On the Road Again...

2008-04-15T17:55:00.000-07:00

The Steve & Brynn Show spent this last weekend in St. George, Utah. The to-do list consisted of the pool, golf, eating and sleeping. Then again, that pretty much sums up 90% of the Perkins' family vacations. Brynn's sister and her husband just built a vacation home in St. George and (in our opinion) it was a fantastic investment. One Brynn and I plan to take advantage of...often.

Londyn had 2 sets of cousins in St. George. Berkley, Boston and Macy were down visiting too.

Londyn, Sawyer & Easton on the way to the park

Even got in a little hike at Snow Canyon

...then we come home to snow...F WORD!

Utah Man Am I

2008-04-07T13:05:00.000-07:00

I have come to sick realization that I am a Utahan through and through. (Spell check told me it should be AN Utahan, but that sounds too weird…) Anyways, after making fun of countless people for saying “I love the moun-tins”, “I am from Hurr-i-cun, Utah”, “carn on the cob” and a personal favorite, "the ruff of the house", I am no better…and a 22-month-old child taught me this lesson.

Brynn and I just moved into a new place and we had some neighbors drop by to introduce themselves. We had a nice conversation and after they left I said to Brynn, “ Why didn’t you invite them in?” Suddenly Londyn perked up and screamed, “ I want a vitamin!” (You see, Londyn has a Flintstones vitamin every morning and loves it. But she knows she only gets a vitamin in the morning, so I was curious as to what made her want a vitamin at that particular moment)…then it hit me. I did not say, “invite them in” like a normal human person would have, I said, “invite ‘em in…or as my daughter heard, “in vitamin”, just as a/an Utahan would say. My daughter could not distinguish the difference between her Father saying, invite them in and in vitamin. What a sad, sad day. It’s not that I am ashamed of my heritage. I love Utah. I just love the mountains, not the moun-tins. You win mighty Utah. You have chewed me up and spit me out...and now I smell of green Jell-O and brine shrimp.

…An Utahan...The only reason that probably sounds weird to me is because I am from Utah.

Lou's Week

2008-04-03T08:28:00.000-07:00

After 1 year, 10 months and 9 days the wait is over. Londyn was finally able to wear her very first hair barrette. Brynn (Londyn’s mother) was quoted as saying, “I just can’t believe it. I have wanted this for so long…I’m just so happy!” Congratulations Londyn and mother! Today is your day.

Last weekend Brynn was at a dance competition all Saturday, so Lou and I went up to the Sandy Aquarium. In her words, she saw lots of “fsshh” (fish), “welly-fsshh” (jelly fish), “Ray” (Sting Rays), and even a “sharrrrk…scurry….RAAHHH”. The aquarium was just Londyn's size. She loved it.

Has anyone seen Londyn??!! I am missing my little girl. She is about 2 feet tall, thin, blonde hair and wearing a small, inconspicuous hair bow. Really, the hair bow is quite subtle. You might miss it if you are not looking hard enough. Please, someone help…

Brynn makes fun of me and my garden. But Londyn is on board. Mommy's just a hater.
Be clean, go green.

Toss the Razors...

2008-04-01T12:16:00.000-07:00

The wait is finally over. Growing season starts today....

Visit http://themustachemovement.blogspot.com/

Utah Weather

2008-03-31T21:29:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning to a nice layer of snow across my back yard. We are one day shy of April, and we are still able to make snowmen in our yards. I think Steve and I are ready to pack up our bags and move to St. George. Steve is bummed because he bought his first lawn mower, and all he wants to do is test it out in his new backyard. I guess his gardening will have to wait.

2008 Cinco de Mustache

2008-03-28T12:06:00.000-07:00

Some call it a holiday, some call it an awakening, I call it a movement. A movement to bring the lost art of the mustache, back to its glory. I speak of the hallowed Cinco de Mustache. I did not create this movement, I simply got on a fast moving man train.

The rules are simple:
1. Growing season begins April 1st.
2. Your face is your canvas; you do with it what you wish. Whether it be a beard, a goatee or the pure mustache. You grow until May 5, Cinco de Mustache.
3. On Cinco de Mustache, for the entire day, you must wear some form of mustache: the Handlebar, the Molester, the Moustachio (affectionately known as the Selleck), the Pornstache, the Walrus. It is your lip undergrowth, you decide. But for one day, May 5, you wear a mustache.
4. Take a before and after picture, to mark your momentous transformation into manliness.

It is that simple. Join the movement. Join the last beacon of pure masculinity. It’s time to shed the shackles of the naked upper lip and tell the world “I am Man”. Put on your magnificent lip warmer friend, and join Cinco de Mustache!

For more information or to see great mustaches of our time, please visit: http://themustachemovement.blogspot.com/

Brynn's Life

2008-03-25T20:28:00.000-07:00

Steve has been bugging me to post, so I figured I had better do it. He is the writer of the family, so I am sorry that my posts won't be near as clever or funny. As Steve mentioned, life has been pretty crazy these past weeks. We love our new house. It is old! It creeks at night, and we find something that doesn't work every day, but we absolutely love it! The only disheartening thing about it is that I have 3 floors to clean now. Anyone who knows me will certainly realize what a challenge that will be for me! Right now I am enjoying my time at home with Londyn. I am lucky enough to be able to stay at home with her. We have quite the life. We spend a big chunk of the morning hanging out in bed and watching cartoons (all educational, of course), and then we usually just play the rest of the day. We have so much fun together. I can hardly believe she will turn 2 at the end of May. At night, I teach dance at Hip Dance Company in West Jordan. I love it, and I love the girls I teach. It is nice to stay involved after all of these years. That is basically my life in a nut shell. I am glad Steve set this baby up, so that I can now hear what everyone else is doing with their lives. I'll leave you with Londyn singing her favorite song...

-Brynn

Pa-hoe-nicks, AZ

2008-03-25T18:40:00.000-07:00

Lou, the Beav and I have just spent 6 days, 5 nights in illustrious Scottsdale, Arizona. Try this on for nice: days at the pool, afternoon naps with Londyn, March Madness on every TV, nights at Spring Training, dinner at In-n-Out...did I mention it was 90-degrees? It was awesome. It was also Londyn¹s first expedition on an airplane. She did incredibly well, considering she is, well, Londyn. She just sat on my lap and said, "Whoa,whoa...scurry (scary)". We had a good time.

The day after we got home Brynn had another doctors appt. Everything sounds and looks good. We scheduled the ultrasound for April 17, so only a few weeks until we know what we are having. I think it's a boy, Brynn thinks it's a girl, and Londyn is still holding out for a train. All in all we will be excited no matter what.

Anyways,

-Steve

We are in like thin...

2008-03-17T19:16:00.000-07:00

We are now moved in residents of a brand new 1978 2-Story brick and aluminum siding abode. My back is sore, my hands are paint-stained, and my bank account is zero. Aah, the joys of moving. But seriously, we love our new house. We have just about got it in order. Brynn got her furniture, I got my big screen, and Londyn got her playroom. Life at the Perkins is pretty good. If anyone is in West Jordan (or Dub-Jo, as I like to call it), stop on by. (Okay, that is the first time I have ever called it Dub-Jo. But come on...pretty sweet eh?)

So it turns out our backyard has a pretty decent sized vegetable garden. That's right, I'm gonna plant me sum cern, and tomaters, and other forms agriculture this year. When I turn the Harvest in, I will invite you all to share supper with me at my table. That's about it for the Brynn & Steve Show. Until next time...

Straight Outa' Dub-Jo,

-Steve

Lou Struggles with the Ramen

2008-03-07T09:19:00.000-08:00

Wacky Grandma Jacky wanted me to post this video so she could show her fellow Bobcats how cute Londyn's future eating disorder is...

I'm a loner, Brynn. A Rebel.

2008-03-07T08:40:00.000-08:00

The papers are signed. The ink is dry. The money is gone. And we own a home. Yup, Brynn and I closed on our West Jordan home yesterday. We will move in this weekend. I will get some pics up as soon as we are settled. This will (unofficially) be the 8th move since we were married in 2002. Don't believe me...

1. First place - lived in a basement (the Chipmans)
2. Moved from basement to Lake Pines Apts.(in Murray)
3. Lake Pines into the Parents (the Perkins)
4. Parents to New Jersey
5. New Jersey to Santa Fe Apts.
6. Santa Fe Apts. to Parents (the Bevans)
7. Parents to Riverton Townhouse
8. Riverton Townhouse to West Jordan Home

In all fairness I told Brynn this before we got married..."There's a lot of things about me that you don't know anything about, Brynn. Things you wouldn't understand. Things you couldn't understand. Things you shouldn't understand. You don't want to get mixed up with a guy like me. I'm a loner, Brynn. A rebel." (Anyone???...Pee Wee's Big Adventure - 1985)

Anyways,

-Steve

Drama Queen

2008-03-05T14:59:00.000-08:00

Brynn & I are living with my parents for a week before we close on our new (to us) West Jordan house. Londyn is in rare form at the grandparents. She asks my mom for "SKEEEETLES" (Skittles) every ten minutes, and of course my mom gives her them, every time. I think it is quite remarkable that my 20-month-old daughter has already learned the fine art of manipulation. Case and point, this video. It is old, but even at a young age she is refining her skill.

New Baby

2008-02-25T14:53:00.003-08:00

For those that don't know (and if you don't, it serves you right because it means we haven't talked to you for a long time) Brynn is pregnant. She is about 12 weeks along or so. We had our 2nd doctors appointment today and were able to hear the heart beat. The doctor said everything sounded great. On the way out of the doctor's I asked Londyn if she wanted a baby brother and she said no. Brynn asked her if she wanted a baby sister, she said no. So we asked her what she wanted, she said a train. So I think the only way Londyn is going to be happy is if Brynn delivers something that resembles a locomotive in September.