John & Kate + 8 = So Annoying!!

We don't have cable. But i've been hearing about this show since it came on. So the last time I was at Blockbuster, I decided to rent the first season. Now admittedly, i'm far more interested in the first six months of the 'tuplet's life; wouldn't you love to see how they handled that? And I have to say, after watching several shows, I find it really annoying. First of all, i'm not sure this is the best show for me to watch to unwind :)  And seriously now, how incredibly rude and condescending is Kate? She's awful!! Her poor husband. I would be so ashamed if I spoke to my husband like that and she does it repeatedly, on television! And he mostly just takes it!! I mean, who knows what goes on behind closed doors, but I just get so worked up when I watch her. Wow. 

A question for all you parents

I don't think this experience is unique, but i'm wondering how you all handle it:
When you are feeding a toddler, and said toddler has no interest in what is on his plate, do you offer alternatives, or do you wish him a good night and put him down with a semi-empty belly?
Brice rarely eats what we give him (all healthy, tasty, toddler-friendly fare) and we end up giving him veggie chips, pecans, goldfish, oranges, etc. Like tonight, I gave him some salmon, couscous, and green beans (I know, right?) and he had zero interest in any of it. He drank his milk and filled up on some veggie chips (a misleading moniker if there ever was one).
I don't want to always be scrambling to fill him up and I don't want to give in to his tyrannical tendencies. What to do, what to do...

tasty

Guess who made Yorkshire Pudding? (not Seth)

Family Time

Harry can't quite participate in mealtime yet, but he refuses to sit on the sidelines.

Elmo joins us for dinner.

We finally found a good use for the Elmo swim diapers.

Brice's birthday

We celebrated Brice's second birthday this past weekend. Our little man turned two years old. It hardly seems possible. It feels like a few weeks ago that we brought him home from the hospital and sat on the couch to watch Grey's Anatomy while he slept peacefully on Seth's chest. Now he's two. The days may drag, but the years fly by. We got him a (what else?) Elmo cake and Nana and Papa got him a tricycle and a Rockin' Elmo. When I brought the cake out, right after this picture was taken, he stuck his hand in the candle and managed to put out the flame with his index finger. Woops--didn't see that one coming!

Seattle ( i love you )

Bainbridge Island

lunch

Harry and me in front of a delicious Russian bakery (when you see a picture of a smiling Anthony Bourdain with the staff, you know it's good. and it was.)

the iconic shot

We had a great time in Seattle--such a cool city with a really cool vibe. The whole city smells like a faint mix of coffee and patchouli. It was supposed to rain everyday, but we managed to get in -- and out-- without seeing any. It did, however, snow one day. This was more of a shock to the locals than to us. Apparently they're not used to snow in the winter (why don't i live there??). We stayed downtown and had a view of the bay and mountains from our bed. We ate raw oysters at the same restaurant where Tom Hanks and Rob Reiner had their "tiramisu conversation." We bought a couple crabs and had a picnic of crabs and beer in our room while Harry slept. We visited the best bookstore in the world, then rode the ferry to Bainbridge Island and had dinner down by the marina (where Harry sampled his first garlic and mashed potatoes dish). Perhaps the best thing was being forced to be on Harry's schedule. We shared a room with him, so while he slept, so did we--15 hours a day.