Hello March.

Lately, it seems like all I think about in my spare time is knitting, and not necessarily my own knitting. I frequent a web community created for knitters (and hookers aka crocheters) called Ravelry. Ravelry is AWESOME. This website allows me to show off my projects, stash my yarn, keep track of my needles, and create a queue of patterns I'd like to someday knit. But it's more than that. I can look at how 100 other people made a specific pattern. People are usually kind enough to include in the notes any mods they made which can be super helpful to a beginner knitter (or any knitter). I can see the different yarns that were used and how these yarns translated the pattern. Another feature I love is looking up what patterns were made using yarn that I already have in my stash (which is huge...can you say yarn diet.) These things may sound ridiculous to a non-knitter (or non-hooker), but this is definitely the go-to site if you are interested in the fiber arts. It is also a time suck like Facebook but with a greater purpose (at least from where I'm standing).

Wow. I sound like a Ravelry pusher. ;)

In Zoe news, we currently have 3 front teeth with a fourth pushing through that last layer of gum. Sometimes I catch her grinding her teeth. It's like nails on a chalkboard for me. She has been standing on her own quite a bit, but not yet walking. She dances all the time. I love it. Sometimes her dances remind me of Elaine's on Seinfeld. She'll slowly stick out one foot then put it down and stick out the other. As always, she is forever snuggable. This week we start our shrimp swim lessons. I'll keep you posted. I'm not looking forward to getting into a swimsuit, but I'm sure it will all be worth it.

Zoe rolling around, playing with her drumsticks.

Zoe hanging with her first non-relative babysitter. Thanks Michelle! You were awesome! Because of Michelle, Rex and I were able to go see Andrew Bird, who was AMAZING! The opening band, Loney Dear (yes, it's LONEY not Lonely) was incredible. I highly recommend them.

Zoe hanging out with our friend, Tali.

Zoe with her Valentine's Day Octopus balloon. Unfortunately, 2 of the octopus' arms had been removed. He managed to keep a smile on his face, though.

Zoe playing under my parent's dining room table.

My little cutie.

Milestone Moments from a Lazy Blogger

I am a lazy blogger. I sometimes feel bad about this, but most of the time, I do not. On to the important stuff...

Zoe got her first tooth. I should have known something was up when I noticed every diaper was, shall we say, productive. This caused her to have the worst diaper rash she has ever had. It was so bad, I felt like an awful parent. She would shake and cry every time I put her on the changing table. It was sad. Luckily, a trip to the doctor and some prescription ointment were a big help in her recovery. Her little tush is all better. I'm hoping the next tooth will come at a lesser price.

Zoe is finally past the 10th percentile for weight. Woohoo! She currently weighs in at 20 lbs 5 oz which is considered the 46th percentile. Not that I care about that percentile crap, but everyone always talks about it. ;)

Zoe squishing on the owl our friend, Bethany, made for her. It's so cute. Thanks Bethany!

Zoe giving some love to a sheepskin rug that I purchased from Ikea. This thing was great until she barfed up yogurt on it. Gross!

Zoe's 1st Birthday Party with grandparents

On Saturday, Rex, Zoe, Loki and I drove to Killeen which is where my parents live. My sister-in-law, Charlotte, had come up with this wonderful idea for us to have a pre-birthday birthday celebration for family at my parents' house since my parents live between Rex's parents and us. Everyone had a lovely time. It wasn't too overwhelming for Zoe who was basically passed around lovingly between the grandparents. She opened presents with enthusiam, destroyed her cake, and was constantly enamored with a single mylar balloon.

She was a happy girl.

The Problem Solving Skills of a Baby

For Christmas, my sister gave Zoe this push toy to help her learn how to walk. Within 20 minutes of the toy being put together, Zoe discovered a different use for the toy. It gave her the ability to pet the dog while he was relaxing on his couch.

Please ignore my commentary at the end. I don't need any comments on what kind of mother I might or might not be.

Completely traceable

I'm watching this incredibly ridiculous movie called Untraceable. It's about this serial killer who sets up these elaborate methods of executing people; such as bleeding to death from small cuts and an overdose of heparin (an anti-coagulant). The catch is that the killer allows his website viewers to decide if these people will die by killing them in real time on the web. The more hits his website receives the faster the person dies. STUPID!

Why am I watching this movie? Simple. Netflix Watch Instantly. This is one of the most brilliant pieces of technology to hit the streets since Tivo. It has enabled me to watch Dr. Who on my terms without filling up my DVR. Granted I am only on the second season, but still. This is AWESOME.

Netflix Watch Instantly has also made our Xbox 360 even more useful. Sure, it has been a gaming powerhouse for me. I have spent many, many hours obsessively playing this game or that. The most recent game being Fable 2. Loved it! And I should also give mad props to Left 4 Dead. One of the creepiest zombie games ever. It gave me nightmares.

But back to Netflix Watch Instantly...I will put almost anything in the queue. Stuff I wouldn't even think about renting. That's how I ended up watching Untraceable. But I have also watched little gems like An Evening with Kevin Smith. Awesome! If you liked his movies, you will more than likely enjoy this documentary of his visits to various universities. It's one big Q&A session of awesomeness.

I enjoy being able to rate a film right on screen and remove it from my queue after I watch it without ever having to go to the Netflix site. I like that you can stop a movie, turn off the whole set up, and go back to where you left off when you resume it. It is way easier than DVDs. So thank you Netflix for providing this amazing service.

Speaking of DVDs, Rex and I were early adopters of HD-DVDs. We have an HD-DVD player through our Xbox 360. We were sad when the race was won by the Blue Ray. No matter. Today at Fry's they had some cheap HD-DVDs. We bought Clerks 2 for $3.99 and Army of Darkness for $7.99. It was quite fortuitous as we were only there for a cable.

For you crafty types out there, here's an great website for you http://www.oneprettything.com/