Spring Flowers

This is a super easy and fun centerpiece for spring. I got the wheat grass at Lazy Acres and the Gerber daisies at Trader Joe's. Water tubes with picks on the end are holding them in place while little Easter eggs hide in the tall grass.

I can be the first to admit it

I love the Oscars, I love the glitz, I love the glamour, the silly speeches and the odd spectacle of it all. Maybe it's because I secretly want to run around in a gorgeous dress all day long. This year all though I would say it was a little on the safe side, but there were a few dresses that were down right breathtaking. These are my top 2.

Marisa Tomei in Versace

The flash blows out the intricate pleats that put this beautiful dress together. I love her hair and her vintage Sapphire jewelry.

Amy Adams in Caroline Herrera

This dress moved much better on live film and her jeweled collar is to die for. Plus she is adorable.

I have to say that I simply adore Hugh Jackman. I was a little hesitant at first when I found out he was hosting. But I thought he did a fabulous job with an opening monologue like this.

Because I do

Maryland

So MUCH has happened over the last few weeks that I hardly know where to begin. First off Ben is finishing his PHD in Economics in June (Dr. Hansen... totally hot) and we have spent the first few weeks of 2009 looking for a job. In January he meet with 16 different companies, schools and government think tanks at the AEA conference for preliminary interviews. From that, he received 7 fly outs around the country trying to find the best fit. That gratefully turned into 3 TERRIFIC offers. The hard part was picking.

1 San Diego, California - Litigation Consulting

(LAW and Order dream come true- long hours)

2 Columbia, Maryland - Growing Government Think tank

(Flexibility, Secret Data Great Location)

3 Bethesda, Maryland - Established Government Think tank

(Mentorship, More Secret Data, Longer Commute)

After careful consideration and a last minute trip to Maryland and DC (knowledge of a Target, Trader Joes' and Cheesecake Factory in a 10mile radius) we choose....

COLUMBIA, MARYLAND

Ben has accepted a position as a Senior Research Associate/Economist with IMPAQ International!

We spent the last few days in Columbia, and it is soooo cool. It is beautiful and very family friendly. We are just south of Baltimore and about 45 minutes from DC. So when everyone comes to visit (wink) there will be lots to do.

How to keep your toddler happy during your 3 hour layover in Phoenix

ICE CREAM!

She likes to share

Camp Hansen flight 85 to Baltimore

Day 2

Just so you know my child does wear clothes other than pajamas, but when you are sick and it is raining, they are the clothing of choice.

We just bought our new doormat from K-Mart and Jocelyn was trying it out, she had kinda lost it in the store so we found some Oreos to keep calm her down; hence the pirate scruff.

However the day before it was sunny and warm so we did this

Ben I love you and I am so proud of you honey!!!

This week

Ben is out of town... again. Hopefully for the last time on job interviews. This week he is back east interviewing in Virginia and Maryland and won't be home until Saturday. Man my heart goes out and my hands applaud all women married to traveling business man. This sucks.

While he is gone I have decided to post a picture of our child doing something adorable everyday so he can see her.

Day 1

After changing her diaper this morning, Jocelyn insisted on wearing her shoes before I put her sleeper back on. Since I can't put her sleeper on over her shoes; it is now her cape. I just turned the heater up.

A Day in the Life of Jocelyn

Free breakfast from Denny's 7:45am

Playing at the park in the HOT sun 9:30am

Swimming in the UCSB Faculty Pool 11am

Long afternoon nap 1:30pm

Delicious Blenders (Red Pineapple with Mango Juice) 4:30pm

Bar-B-Que Chicken pizza dinner (from scratch) 6pm

Bath 6:30

Song/Prayers 7pm

Out like a light 7:02pm

Did I mention it is February?