AI Finale

I have to agree with Simon tonight in that David A had a knockout performance (obviously the judges want David A to win). Even though his songs were all ballads and predictable, he played it safe. Why try something drastic in the last week? As the judges would say, he was "true to himself". Although David C continually challenges himself and may be more entertaining, I just think that David A has better vocal skills than David C and for that I think he should be the winner. David C tends to have that scratchy, wailing voice which at times bothers me. But regardless, whoever wins, both of them will get a recording contract. It can go either way as the David C fans may try to redeem Chris Daughtry from Season 4 and hope that a rocker wins. Or the David A fans will continue to vote for him as they have all season. I'm personally hoping for David A to win. Dan is hoping for David C to win...he can't stand David A. He says that he can see him singing in children's programs like Sesame Street, Hi-5 or some Nickelodean/Disney show!

AI - Top 3 Review

Round 1 - Not surprised a Billy Joel ballad was chosen for David A. He did great with it. Syesha did a great job on the Alicia Keys song. A few notes off key, but she did well on the runs. David C did ok with the Roberta Flack song. He does the typical wailing at the end of his song. Hard to say who won Round 1, but I would have to say it goes to David A. David C was the most original which is not a surprise, but David A had the better singing skill.

Round 2 - Glad to see David A didn't pick a ballad. It was smart for him to pick a contemporary song like Chris Brown's With You. But he did seem a bit awkward and out of place. It seemed like he did try a bit too hard. Syesha did ok on Fever. David C did horrible on Switchfoot's Dare You to Move. The low notes in the beginning were way off and he never just reached any of the notes for the rest of the song. His voice was just not there and so scratchy. Very very pitchy as Randy would say. Round 2 would have to go with Syesha.

Round 3 - Why would the producers pick such an old song like Longer for David A? Not surprisingly he did fine. I thought Syesha did well on the Happy Feet song "Hit Me Up". She definitely has the best stage presence and the best performer out of the top 3. David C again does his wailing ending note for Aerosmith's "Don't Wanna Close Your Eyes". Hard to say who wins Round 3.

I feel like the producers just picked bad songs for these contestants. And why did the judges get on their case for "bad song choice" for round 3? They had no choice! It's just so obvious all 3 judges want the 2 Davids in the final 2. I felt like they're nitpicking Syesha like they did with Katherine McPhee in Season 4. I knew that no matter how well Syesha did and how badly the 2 Davids did, Syesha will probably go home this week. I actually think that out of the 3 finalists, she's the most versatile singer and has the best stage presence. The 2 Davids are so predictable in their songs, it's actually getting boring each week knowing what style they're going to sing.

The Mom Song

I heard a little clip of this from the Focus On The Family podcast today. The woman is Anita Renfroe and she's hilarious! She sang this song about a "mom's typical day" to the William Tell Overture. I found the whole song on You Tube. Moms will appreciate this!

AI - Top 4

Quick thoughts on tonight's performance:

David C - I like Duran Duran, but thought his performance was ok. 2nd song was better and more like his style. He'll probably be safe and end up as the final 2.

Jason - Horrible horrible horrible is all I can say. I'm tired of everything being folk songs with him. He really needs to go. I'll be upset if he's in the top 3.

Syesha - She's really been improving and I loved her big voice and passionate performance. She deserves to be in the top 3.

David A - I had a feeling he was going to sing "Stand By Me". I was hoping he would sing anything other than ballads. He does have an amazing voice, but his songs are sounding a bit the same to me. The judges really want him to win.

Jason needs to go home, but I have this bad feeling it's going to be Syesha. I almost don't care who wins this year as each contestant has different styles.

On the pregnancy front, things are going well as I'm ending the 2nd trimester. I'm so thankful for somebody at church who gave me all her summer maternity clothes. She has 3 children and said she was done with them. I was so happy because she has fabulous stylish clothes and I needed summer clothes since I didn't need it during the first pregnancy. I just spend the entire afternoon going through all her clothes as she gave me 2 huge bags. I think I have enough outfits to wear them once everyday until I deliver...that's how much clothes I have! I had to make room in my closet and drawers. It was a good excuse for me anyway to go through my clothes and donate those clothes that I haven't touched in years to charity. Plus, it was good to "spring clean" my clothes before the baby comes. Dan is happy because I'll look stylish everyday now. I'm just happy that I don't have to buy clothes that I'm only going to wear for 3 months. It's amazing how God provides, especially through generous friends.

Potty Training Status - In Progress

With the 2nd baby coming, we decided to strongly encourage (not force) Nathan's potty training as we don't want 2 in diapers. Pullups do not work with him as it's just another diaper for him and he loves his diaper. He does however mind if his clothes get wet with pee, so we decided that for him we just need to put the underwear on him right away since he hates that wet clothing feeling. We figure that oughta encourage him to run to the toilet when he feels the urge!

2 weeks ago, he wore his cute little Fruit of the Loom underwear and he liked it. But within a 4 hour window, he had 2 accidents. He did make it to the potty once successfully though. However, we decided to wait a little bit as he obviously wasn't ready. So, last night we prepped him and kept telling him that today he was going to wear underwear and pee in the potty. He successfully peed 3 times in the toilet all afternoon while I was at work! During his nap, he wore his diaper, then we put the underwear back on until he went to bed. No accidents all day and he successfully went all by himself multiple times! When I came home and saw him go on the potty all by himself, I started crying. This is his last "baby milestone" we've been waiting for and he's just growing up so fast. I think he's been ready for awhile, but he just didn't have the confidence to do it. Putting the underwear on him "forced" him to quickly adapt. He always knew when pee was coming, but I guess it's just so easy to pee whenever and wherever you want!

So, our game plan is to get him to pee and poop in the potty at home consistently (no poop yet in the potty as he's scared to do that). We'll still have him wear diapers when we go out or when he sleeps. Then, after a few days, we'll venture going out in public with the underwear. I hear the night training will take the longest though, especially for boys.

AI note: This week's show was so strange and rushed. So glad Brooke is gone. I can't believe she revealed to everyone she wrote the lyrics on her hand during performance night. She really couldn't handle the pressure anymore. Jason needs to go next week as he's been soooo boring the past few weeks. He should've gone weeks ago, but these teenage teeny boppers keep voting for him. I hear next week is rock 'n roll hall of fame week. Should be interesting to see how Jason will survive that one.