Babysitting Sugar "Babies"

This weekend we babysat, or pet-sat I guess, our friends' sugar gliders. We've known Steve and Melinda since we were all in the same singles ward together, so it is really fun to have them in our regular ward.


Well, they went to St. George, so we watched their pets, Ginger and Rambo. I keep calling them sugar babies, maybe cause they are tiny but maybe cause I like candy.


Sugar Gliders are nocturnal marsupials native to eastern Australia. They have a flap of skin between their limbs that allows them to glide around. They move super fast. One of our favorite things is to watch them zip around in circles in the cage.
I've learned to wear long sleeves because they have tough claws that help them hang in all sorts of precarious positions.


Initially Ben had the most success luring them out of the cage to play in the evening with yogurt treats, but since then I have become their favorite jungle gym.
I find that this happens with children too. Maybe I have some sort of "jungle gym" pheromone that only children and animals can smell.
At any rate, we've had a lot of fun looking after them. They are really easy pets and very adorable. I'll be sad to give them back, but glad to get the floor space back (since we didn't have much to begin with).

The Fully Automated Bathroom

I recently experienced the newly remodeled Fully Automated Bathroom in the Wilkinson Center. Here is how it goes. Sit on toilet and place hand under the toilet paper dispenser and voila! it dispenses itself into your hand. Then stand up and the toilet flushes itself. Exit stall and place hands under faucet and water turns itself on; place hands under soap dispenser and it dispenses itself. Rinse under self-running water. Here is the best part-approach new Airblade hand dryer (seen left). Insert hands into hollowed out area and slowly pull out (the air turns on when you stick your hands in). Unfortunately, it doesn't really work very well, but it sure looks cool! Now all we need is the automatic sanitary toilet seat cover and self warming toilet seats and we'll be set.

PS Ben recently informed me that they replaced the urinals in the mens bathroom in the WILK, and they are "water-free." That's right, they don't use water, it just all goes straight down the drain. I hope someone is cleaning them regularly.

Recent Obsessions

So as my pregnancy progresses (I'm officially at 16 weeks today), I find myself craving and obsessing over things previously overlooked. Some of my most recent things include:



Palmer's Lotion for stretch marks. It's not that I'm afraid of getting stretch marks, since I've never been one to bare my stomach anyway. I've always gotten very dry skin during the winter, and now it is ten times worse and my skin is more sensitive. Thanks to my sister-in-law Melissa introducing this lotion to me because it hasn't given me any trouble. And special props to Ben for putting lotion on my back every morning after I shower. Not only do I get moisterized, but I get a little massage out of it too. I have the best husband.





Maternity Pants. I'm only just starting to show, but I only have two regular pairs of pants that still fit (as long as there is an elastic in the buttonhole). So I've bought some maternity pants. I'm in love. And I can breathe. And now there is alittle less pressure on my already taxed bladder (I know, it's just going to get worse).















Sour Patch Kids. I just think they taste really really good. Sour and sweet all in one. I'm a happy camper.
















Chips and salsa. Now, Ben will tell you that I was already obsessed with chips and salsa, which is true. But now I really need it. Yep, it's a need.













Arby's Beef and Cheddar. I've always liked Arby's, but I have never craved it before. And now I do. Too bad I crave the most expensive fast food out there. Oh well, it's tasty.











Beef. I've never craved beef the way I crave it now. Chicken tastes funny to me now, so give me beef. It's what's for dinner.















Nalgene/Water. The junior high I work at gave us all "green" Christmas presents. The best part was the Nalgene bottle. I drink two of them every day, if not more. That could partially explain the frequent trips to the bathroom. But water is great. And so is knowing that I've downed 64 ounces of it! Go me.