“I need a juice box because I love you!”

This was the pronouncement I heard from Liv this morning. A twist on the correct version, but it got me nonetheless. I can see the future now: I need an all-expenses paid trip to Europe… because you love me!

The wee lad getting some extra air

Stats on my hand

Six weeks early, but this little guy looks absolutely perfect to me. Though it’s been a joy to watch his mama’s tummy grow, we’re thrilled Gooper is here at last. Both Renae and Simon are doing really well. Congratulations to the Moreheads!

Per Michelle W’s request, I’m going to list a few movies and TV shows we’ve recently watched… and liked. There is a shorter list of shows we didn’t like–I haven’t decided yet if I’ll post those or not.

Once
I was informed by Renae that I’d love this movie, and she was correct in her estimation of my opinion. Once is a small, comfortable film with no dazzle or special features. It’s about a guy and a girl and they seem so real, and it’s about music, the kind of music you’ll be humming under your breath for days, the kind of music that puts a smile on your face when your husband finally buys the album on iTunes.

Rescue Dawn
This movie is a POW tale. I know, I know, we’ve all seen enough of those movies. But Werner Herzog, an amazing director, brings fresh insight to Rescue Dawn. I was impressed by how Herzog chose to tell this story with a refreshingly small amount of violence and a healthy dose of reality. Christian Bale as the lead is, as always, great, but the comedic actor Steve Zahn is the surprising standout here.

Miss Potter
This sweet film, which I watched by myself, had me in one moment calling out to Jeremy about how charming Ewen McGregor was and, in the next moment, weeping in my peppermint ice cream. And goodness knows how much I enjoy being delighted and tortured with tears all in the same film. I avoided Miss Potter for the longest time because I couldn’t stand to hear Renee Zellweger doing another British accent. But darn it all, Zellweger as Potter was an excellent fit and this flick made my night quite special.

Also recommended: The Namesake (not fabulous, but good), Amazing Grace (really wonderful bit of history), Deep Water (a fascinating history lesson), and Music & Lyrics (silly but good for a laugh; Friday Night Lights fans need to watch for Jason Street).

“Just one more ‘cuz you love me?”

Livia’s in the living room, asking for one more Hershey’s Kiss. Awhile back she would ask me for treats because she used the toilet correctly or did something good. I wanted her to know that I was giving her something delicious or special just because I loved her. See where that leads? Now she’s got me pegged!

It’s difficult, if not impossible, for me to pick my favorite Owen shot from yesterday’s mini photo shoot. Those eyes, those cheeks!

Can you tell who is ready to be a big sister? Liv desperately wanted to feed Owen his bottle, make him laugh, talk to him and hold him. She’ll be a great helper when the next little Tred arrives. She did seem a bit eager to say goodbye when Owen’s mom showed up, though… And ready to take her rightful position in my lap once he was gone. Guess we’ll have to figure out lap-sharing some other day.

When it’s 5 degrees outdoors and you leave a warm building, the cold smacks your forehead like a sledgehammer.

When it’s 0 degrees and you’re going to bed, your house feels very cold even though the thermostat hasn’t been turned down yet.

When it’s less than 0 degrees and your daughter awakes in the middle of the night and her head feels like a frozen popsicle, you open the heating grate she closed earlier in the day and pile another blanket on her little bed, knowing she’s alive and well (at least enough to wake up Mommy) albeit a little chilly.

When it’s -2 degrees and feels like -12 (or so says Weather.com) and you wake up in the morning, you feel you deserve a medal for being the first out of bed to crank up the heat.

When it’s this cold in the Lincoln, Nebraska, you wish you had invested in long underwear and face masks during the after-Christmas sales. Either that or you stay inside all day with plans to watch Pixar movies and bake peanut butter cookies.

The news of Heath Ledger’s death is tragic and shocking. This actor was incredibly talented, full of potential, and chose unique roles at every turn. His smile lit up the big screen and warmed millions of girls’ hearts in 10 Things I Hate About You and A Knight’s Tale. (Haven’t seen them? They’re both fun flicks.)

What a crying shame…

I love movies. And because I love movies, I love it when Oscar nominations are released. Here they are. Who are you rooting for this year?

All three of us were stricken this weekend by what I can only assume was the Plague. The Plague has hit almost everyone we know this winter… Many of the Lawtons over Christmas. Livia’s preschool two weeks ago. Friends, friends and more friends. And finally, the Tredways.

The benefit, as far I can tell, about all of us getting sick at once is that we get it over with. The drawback is that both Jeremy and I were exceedingly worn out at exactly the same time and it was all we could do to walk up and down stairs, much less care for Livia, who wasn’t quite as sick as we were. The climax of our exhaustion came last night when we needed to put sheets on Liv’s mattress and get our wound-up daughter to bed. Amid my 100.8 and his 101.9 degree fevers, the task looked something like climbing Everest. Totally impossible. Yet somehow it happened successfully. Bitty Boo slept 12 hours straight and Jeremy and I slept hard as well.

Today we’re dining on Gatorade, toast and bananas. (Thanks again, Dad, for the groceries.) Surely tomorrow will be an even better day with a little peanut butter thrown in for good measure.