happy belated easter

doggie diarrhea...

i don't want to talk about it.
happy Wednesday to all.
But especially to Jim Hargate...

ps - if anyone knows how to clean a sisal rug, let me know...
I think we may have lost this one though... (insert dry heave here).

UPDATE:

see this amazing e-mail chain on the issue this morning:

From: Floyd
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:55 AM
To: Evelyn
Subject: RE: Supposed Solution to Doggie Diarrhea

Actual Solution to Doggie Diarrhea on Sisal Rug:
1. Dig a whole in your yard
2. Fill the hole with dry timber then douse with gasoline
3. Strike a match and drop it in the hole
4. Heave soiled sisal rug on to the hole and kiss that shit rag goodbye.

-------------------------------------------------------

On Wed, Mar 19, 2008 at 9:56 AM, Evelyn wrote to Floyd:

Hey Hun... See below

-------------------------------------------------------

From: Innocent Friend, Owner of Dogs
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:55 AM
To: Evelyn
Subject: RE: question

Don't throw it away. I've had dog diarrhea ALL over my sisal before – in multiple locations… and barf. So trust me, you can save it. There will always be a very slight discoloration, but it's worth keeping it.

They way I did it was to get up as much of the "stuff" as I could without rubbing it down into the carpet. Sometimes I literally get a sharp knife and scrape it up – disgusting, right? Oh, the joys of dog ownership. Then I just start pouring tepid water all over the area – and you have to do this about a bazillion times. Pour water, then soak it up with paper towels. Pour water, then soak it up… and keep going. Let the water sit a little between each time. Then I mix a little shampoo or other non-colored, mild soap with water, get a toothbrush and go to town. Pour the soapy water over the spot, scrub with the toothbrush, pour some clean water, then soak it up. Do this about three or four times. After you've finished, do the clean water "pour and soak" trick several more times to get as much soap out of the rug as possible (always work on an area slightly larger than the actual stain). You'll probably end up with a slight water ring after all is said and done, but you should be able to salvage the rug.

----------------------------------------------------

From: Evelyn
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:48 AM
To: Innocent Friend, Owner of Dogs
Subject: question

Morning!

Hope you're doing well… how are the pups?

Quick question –

Any suggestions for doggie diarrhea on a sisal rug?

Yes, it's more gross than you just imagined.

Sorry! Just thought I'd check with you before I throw it away…

It's REALLY bad…

Another ISSUE of note...

i never intended to air my political thoughts on this site. But sometimes i get worked up about something, and i feel that this is a much better outlet than ranting aloud... So if you are here to find cute pictures of RM, or funny antidotes about my very random and embarrassing incidents as a mother, scroll on down. Or give me a call. (I assure you the most embarrassing ones don't get blogged about.)

But the issue below (and the anti-earmarking crusade I've blogged about before too) do receive a good bit of my attention on a daily basis.

Do you ever wonder why the US can't just build a freaking fence across the southern border that actually works to prevent illegal immigration? Do you ever wonder why private citizen groups sometimes do more to secure the border than the actual Border Patrol Officers? HERE is a new website providing some facts, as well as a "Complete the Fence Now" petition.

Sunhat, check. Pajamas, check. Thumb, check.

Ahhh, it's good to be 5 1/2 months old...

This is my boss... This is my boss fighting wasteful government spending.

You can watch his Earmark Moritorium Floor Speech HERE. On CNN of all places. Read all about it HERE. Or Sign the Petition to reform the earmarking project.

death by... chewy chips-ahoy?

Highlight of the week: Floyd has been on a self-restricted diet... don't ask, he doesn't want to talk about it until after it's over and he can evaluate the benefits gained. He's on day 6 of 10 though, so soon. Anyway, he offered to go to the store for me in the midst of this restriction... CRAZY man. I would never offer to go to the grocery store when i myself couldn't tear into anything i was purchasing. My wish list went something like this: sugary cereal, hot pockets, cookies, frozen dinners, orange juice, tortillas & cheese, etc.

Seriously? I don't know what's gotten into me. But I won't be feeding a baby forever, so here's to it!


Lowlight of the week: Realizing that in the 48 hours since Floyd had gone shopping for me, i had eaten through three-fourths of the box of chewy chips-ahoy. I think I'm gonna be sick. It's almost as if Floyd got all of the self-control powers for the week and left me with none. Hah!

Eight Ounces of Relaxation

RM drinks about 30% of his "meals" from a bottle... when i'm at work mostly, or on a rare occasion that there is milk that needs to be used up. He doesn't take bottles from me, he knows that other (preferred) means are very close by... but he's gotten pretty relaxed when taking them from Will. See exhibits A-C below. I don't know if the camera was quite able to capture his comfort, but it was pretty awesome to watch.

HE FLIPPED!

at 4:30am EST, I awoke to RM talking... walked in his nursery to see what in the devil he was chatting about, and sure enough, he was lying face up in his bed, with a bewildered look on his face. I was bewildered too - why 4:30am?!?! He was grateful for the assistance in getting back on his tummy (and drifted right back to sleep.)

It's a Sunshine Day

I think i'll go for a walk outside now
the summer sun's callin my name
(i hear ya now)
i just can't stay inside all day
i gotta get out get me some of those rays
everybody's smilin
sunshine day
everybody's laughin
sunshine day
everybody seems so happy today
it's a sunshine day

Free Rent

A little song about an event in our lives yesterday.
I'll try to post a picture of this fabulous situation soon.


There's a Hole in my Ceiling, dear Floyd, dear Floyd!
There's a Hole in my Ceiling, dear Floyd, a Hole!

What varmit made this hole? dear Evelyn, dear Evelyn!
What varmit made this hole, dear Evelyn, what varmit?

A Squirrel seeking shelter, dear Floyd, dear Floyd!
A Squirrel seeking shelter, dear Floyd, a Squirrel!

I'll duct tape this hole, dear Evelyn, dear Evelyn!
I'll duct tape this hole, dear Evelyn my dear!

An "X" marks the spot, dear Floyd, dear Floyd!
An "X" marks the spot, where our dear Squirrel hides!

shirtless in a bar

no. not me. RM.

i guess i should have expected something like this when i found out i was going to have a son. but i would have expected it at 17, 18, or 21... not 4 months.

Floyd, RM and i planned a lovely evening downtown... walking the bridge, dinner at Chicora Alley, and a stop by the new gelato place. Sounds swell, and family friendly? We thought so too. Until halfway through this family date, when a low vibration rolled on my lap... and in the seat of RM's corduroys. We were of course, at Chicora. And while this fine eating (and mostly drinking) establishment has many things, it DOES NOT have a Koala Care changing station in the bathroom. Nor does it have a large countertop. But it does have a 18" diameter three legged table... just enough space to wrestle a four month old with an exploding diaper. Trouble is, his onsie and corduroys are a yellow disaster. And while i "saved" the fleece hoodie, i also conveniently left it at the table in the bar area where Floyd still remained.

So when i do emerge from the ladies' room with a topless, rolly-polly infant, everyone at the bar managed to turn on their stools muttering about the half-dressed baby and his ne'er-do-well bar-hopping parents. Hence, our shirtless in a bar experience.

ps - don't worry, it's a smoke free bar.
pps - Schelijn, i think that JG's corduroys are going to make a full recovery.

First Cereal

yep. i went for it. he'll be five months old a week from today, and i had intented to wait until then. but last night, the little booger woke up hungry at 3am, 5:45am, 7am... i gotta tell you, that kind of growth spurt can be a very rude awakening! So, he got cereal for dinner tonight in hopes that he will sleep soundly tonight (and the next, and the next) like "normal"!!

not sure how he felt about it at first, but quickly warmed up to the idea.

after dinner smiles, after dinner thumb sucking...
and finally, this funny little maneuver. After spending 24 hrs strapped in the car next to his backwards-finger-sucking-cousin, he decided to try her trick out today. It's bizarre.

my dad is hilarious.

driving driving driving

this weekend my kid sister and i strapped the babies down for 24 hours in the car. Are we crazy? Maybe. But we took off to go see our grandfather in New Jersey who is in very poor health. It was our only chance to allow him to meet these two little great-grands of his. I've never lost a grandparent, and seeing that on the horizon now is very hard. I can see on my grandmother's face her exhaustion and fear of the unknown ahead. I can simplify the decisions in my own mind, but I cannot pretend that they are easy for her to make.

Highlights of the weekend: on a serious note, seeing my grandfather smile at his great grandchildren, and feeling him squeeze my hand. Watching my son laugh at my grandmother and give her a moment of joy in the midst of this difficult battle.

Lowlights of the weekend: did i mention we had two babies strapped in carseats for 24 hours in the car? Um... YEEEEAAAAHHHH... we survived.

we're so lame... you might just think this blog is about you

today is a special day... Hah.

Eight years ago today my husband and i had a "serious conversation about our relationship" and then literally flipped a coin to decide WE WERE AN ITEM. We're weird. But i know most of you reading this all have saved that "where is this relationship going?" discussion somewhere in your memory file.

In those first few years it was a big deal... flowers, gifts, letters, dinner!
Then you got over it or had a wedding and thus another anniversary to commemorate.

So today i said "Happy 13th" dear hubby with a small carton of Reese's Peanut Butter WHOPPERS. We have come a long way... I can't imagine how sentimental we will be in eight more years.

Vote for Oliver!

My friend (the one who rescued Jim Hargate, III) has another puppy who is up for "Best In Show" for the 'Pound-puppy' competition in Columbia, SC. So if you are able to spare 2 seconds... VOTE FOR OLIVER! It's real quick and easy... And besides, isn't he pretty?

puttin' out little fires all over the place!

These PJs are in honor of both Uncle Todd, the professional; as well as Cousin/Nephew Olice, provider of hand-me-downs. Which brings me to another fact i'd like to point out... the tag in these hand-me-downs states that they are for children around the age of "18 months" ... hmmm ... or four. I realize that SHRINKAGE is a major factor, but still... that makes me feel a little like "Honey I Blew Up the Kid" ... Only with breastmilk.

sprinkler

i guess you can tell by the title of this post that i'm going 3 for 3 on posting about my child's fascination with his digestive system... particularly the final stage of it. I figure, i'm on a roll, why deviate now?

So, have yall ever heard of "pee-pee tee-pees" ??? Because they are these hilarious and very practical little cones to prevent the exact thing that happened tonight. I let my guard down, it's true. But really, he's over four months old for crying out loud. He hasn't sprinkled outside of the tub in at least two months. But ahh, he had a special treat in mind for me tonight. Not only hitting the drapes (exhibit A), but also the wall (exhibit B). Then giving me a very cute and very guilty, "oops, was that me? Sorry mom" kind of face (Exhibit C). I added a final photo shot of the wall just so you all could get the full effect of the urination factor (exhibit D).

Lets agree, it's not really as good as the Happy Birthday Momma moment, but fun for him nonetheless. i think he might just like surprises just as much as i do.

motivation

just curious... how do babies derive motivation? is it all just a very different experience at a very different pace for each little love? I ask this now as i work at my computer, and about ten feet away my baby lies on a blanket in the living room with toys just out of arms reach. He's too content kicking and sucking his thumb and staring at the fan to think about how to get the toys just out of arms reach. His motivation is elsewhere... in the sucking and kicking and staring off into space. And...this just in... yep, into crapping his britches. Sometimes i wish i could be that carefree.

(And not that i'm over eager for my 4+ month old child to be mobile, but just intrigued as to when this will happen.)

bumbo bombs

I have recently encountered a situation with the bumbo seat that i believe warrants some kind of "disclaimer" on the bumbo box. While they are updating the packaging to remind some silly parents that these seats are not intended to be placed on elevated surfaces, they should also add a WARNING about BUMBO BOMBS. A Bumbo Bomb occurs when the child sitting in the seat becomes relaxed enough to expell waste. The design of the seat creates quite a unique opportunity for said waste to fire out of diaper with an alarming velocity. Sorry to be so graphic in my description, but it's a graphic situation to deal with. Thus, not only diaper change, but wardrobe change and bath become absolutely necessary. Please see the adjacent diagram. (No children or bumbos were harmed in the making of this diagram.)
The one redeeming factor of a bumbo bomb is that when this adventure is all said and done, the child is quite pleased with their accomplishment and will usually take a monster nap. Here he is after accomplishment.

Four Months Old

Update - the four month stats are as follows: seventeen and a half pounds, twenty-six inches tall. The boy is a bruiser.

He's four months old and looking more like a little boy everyday. Today especially I thought that this time is all just flashing before my eyes... It definitely doesn't always feel like that, and maybe more so now that i am back to work, but it's passing quickly for sure.

Mr Picasso Head

Fun, mindless entertainment... HERE.

Chub-a-love Contest

recent addition: JG, the Skinniest little love. I even hesitated to add him because of the lack of opportunity for paint-speedoing... but his little grin is just too much. These cousins are SO cute!


Which baby do you think wins the contest for most chub-a-love at three months?
Will it be G-money, G-Lou, RM, or C-love? (in order of appearance)

Moroccan Chicken with Golden Rice

I just thought i'd share this tasty recipe that i made for dinner last night, served with green beans and salad. It is from The Fresh Market Cookbook. I diced onion instead of shallots :) Everyone loved it!

Moroccan Chicken with Golden Rice
Servings: 4

Ingredients:
• 1 (7 ounce) package yellow rice
• 1 cup seasoned flour
• 3 tablespoons TFM Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided
• 3 tablespoons butter, divided
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon shallots, chopped
• 4 tablespoons capers
• 1 lemon, sliced into circles
• 3/4 cup coconut milk
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar

Preparation:
Prepare rice according to directions on package. When cooked, set aside and keep warm.
Preheat oven to 375°. Dredge chicken in flour. In large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter over medium high heat. Add chicken breast. Brown well on both sides. Remove from pan. Set aside. Pour excess grease from skillet. Wipe clean with paper towel. Add remaining olive oil and butter to skillet. Heat over medium high heat. Add shallots and capers. Sauté for 30 seconds. Add lemons, coconut milk and sugar. Bring to a boil for about 1 minute.
Spread yellow rice in the bottom of an ovenproof dish. Place chicken on top of rice. Pour coconut milk mixture over top. Bake for about 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Serve hot.

eight things...

I got tagged by Tootie to share eight things about RM, so here goes:

1. SNUGGLE BUG - this is my favorite, one i hope doesn't diminish as he grows. He'll snuggle pretty much anytime day or night.
2. THUMB SUCKER - i know i should already be curbing this habit, but it is too cute! Especially when paired with the Snuggle Bug attribute.
3. TALK TALK COO - RM has started interacting with Will and I in a very vocal way. Just yesterday at Costco he was talking to his daddy so loudly I could hear him from the restroom. He talked and cooed like that all around the store.
4. KNOWS MY VOICE - I love that he knows his momma. If he's in a room of strangers, and i start talking he looks all around until his gaze lands on me. Its like it makes him certain again that he can put up with the pass arounds.
5. CHUB-A-LUB - What can i say? He eats. He eats really well. And he doesn't skip meals.
6. SIGHS - RM already has this "sigh" that really already makes me think he might be bored. It's hilarious to watch his whole body heave with this expression.
7. SLEEPER - This boy loves his crib. And loves to sleep twelve hours at night, and take four naps a day. I know this will change soon, so i'm soaking it up :)
8. DRUMS - One of my favorite things to watch is Floyd making RM "Beat Box" with the air drums. RM's face lights up and he just looks like a bruiser playing. I think he really is a percussionist at heart.

Alright, Tricia, Lauren, Katie, Essbee, Laurie! It's your turn :)

slush and sleet make a nice southern treat

usually this much of a "wintery mix" dusting would have us all at home. But alas, my office opened on a two hour delay. So RM got to go out with his dad in the snow.

what is that kid eating?

This is a question i answer frequently. it's interesting, because he's obviously only either getting breastmilk or formula... it seems like an obvious answer. But you'd be shocked at the number of people who still feel the need to ask. Now, thanks to one of my former discipleship group girls, the answer is written across his chest. (I've told him this kind of obscene language on a shirt is really only cute for so long...)

big baby boy

Oma got a new camera for Xmas... she tried it out on Red while he was waking up from his nap at their house.

snowbaby

this is just ridiculous. RM's grandmother thought this would be a cute hat and mittens ensemble to wear at Thanksgiving when we went to "pick out the tree" that weekend. Naturally, it swallowed him at two months old. But even now, six weeks later, it's not much better. We went for a walk, but the hat definitely didn't stay.

(The hat is "3-6 months" -supposedly. Everything my son wears is 6 months, or 6-9 months... and he's only 3 months old. So it's funny to see anything look "big" on him.)

chunky monkey

really bad lighting in these shots, but some funny grins.

tee-dum, tee-dee... a tiddly dum tee day...

Back at work week one highlights:
1. Taking an inbox with 2700 e-mails down to 5 in seven days flat.
2. Introducing my boss to 75 colleagues without embarassing myself.
3. Feeling like I am productive outside of the house - gratifying for me.

Back at work week one lowlights:
1. Pumping breastmilk in the office... just weird.
2. RM's total blowout while sitting in on Floyd's tutoring session.
3. The realization that this could be the most productive week for a while?

Seriously, it's been a good experience so far. Some friends can testify to the fact that in the past, communication hasn't been the strongest for Evelyn & Floyd. As in, Floyd would call a close friend of mine to ask, "Have you seen her? Do you know if she's even in town today?" But we are learning to be better communicators, so as not to call one another during the day and say, "Where's RM? I don't know, i thought you had him... ?" We're seven days in and it hasn't happened yet.

happy new year!

yes... we rang in the new year. Missed the ball dropping by about 45 seconds. Still drank very cheap champange... it was PINK... out of tumblers.



My poor son... why do people stuff their babies into these outfits? I don't know, but i did it.



These faces are a perfect replay of the day Benjamin came home from the hospital... he's screaming and RM is VERY scared.