Yeah, yeah, yeah

Tyler says, "When I'm in Florence, AL and my belly starts to rumble, I head down to Ricatoni's for some of my favorite ravioli."

You know what people? I don't want to hear about it. If you've got a complaint about my infrequent blog postings, at least tell me to my face (or email me, call me, or, dare I say, post your feelings or comments on this blog!)! But don't send Sarah Haggstrom to do your dirty work for you. I just got scolded by my wife because she's sick of hearing from her mother that there haven't been any new posts. Well, in case you haven't noticed it is LENT and this blog is named thePREACHERSdaughter. So I've been just a little busy. And yet I know that you don't care because you have an insatiable appetite for updates on my daughter's bowel movements. Just kidding of course - actually someone just this weekend told me that they'd appreciate it if I would tell more stories about Greta's poop. I'm serious! I was just starting to think that I was going to loose some of my readership because all I seem to write about was how Greta seems to relieve herself at inopportune times. So, maybe I will tell another poop story; we'll see. Anyway, the person who said that she wanted more crappy stories happened to be the daughter of my administrative assistant, both of whom are named Sharon. Little Sharon lives in Switzerland and she regularly reads this blog. Of course I was thrilled to learn that this blog is now being read in nearly a dozen states and at least two countries. I'm multinational baby!

Little Sharon was in town for her brother's wedding and she brought her 10mo. old son, David, with her. Yesterday after church we spent some time with David. Actually it was an early first birthday party for him since he'll be back in Switzerland for his true birthday. Sharon Sr. was very excited to get the two tots together and see how they'd respond. Greta did quite well and she was actually awake for the whole play date, I mean, play "encounter" -remember, it's not a date -. Since David is a Swiss born baby, he's learning both English and German, although he's too young to speak either, but it's fun to watch him respond to simple words in both languages. I assume that German is the more familiar language to him. Anyway, we got the two babies together and they both watched each other with curiosity. Greta smiled and David flailed his arms about. Both were having a grand time. I even managed to bite my tongue each time somebody mentioned about how the two were already sweethearts, or, "Wouldn't it be funny if they were boyfriend and girlfriend someday?" I even managed a courtesy smile for that one. Greta just kept on smiling at David and I could already spot trouble sixteen years down the road (or sooner God forbid). And then it happened. Sharon, Jr. said to him, "David, want to give Greta a kiss?" David leaned forward toward Greta and before I knew what had come out of my mouth I shouted, "David, nein!" No kiss on your birthday this year buddy. Try that back home on some Swiss miss, not my baby. Greta doesn't date and she sure as heck doesn't kiss boys.

In other Greta news, she's developed a new sleeping habit and I haven't decided if it should be called "The Claw" or, "The Squid," but what she does is she takes her hand, spreads her fingers and then covers her face with her hand, then she falls asleep. It is really bizarre. You can see the picture above. She's been doing this a lot; for naps and at night.

Greta also auditioned for the role of the garden gnome in Amelie: la partie deux as you can see from the picture above. We also tried taking our picture in the mirror although that didn't work so well.

Finally, one more funny story, and I really wish I would have had the video camera on for this one. Last night Greta had a funky belly and was sharing a little gas with her mother and I. She was sitting on my lap smiling and making baby sounds when all of the sudden out of her rear came a little "put put put." And then, "put put put" and again and again and again. I stared counting and before she was done she had tooted NINETEEN consecutive times, and that's the honest truth. I thought she was going to levitate right off my lap. What can I say; the girl is gifted.