What Does the Doggie Say?

If you ask Beans what the doggie says she'll tell you, "arf arf arf." However, that answer would be wrong right now.

Jason and I are sitting back, enjoying some of the baby's bed time and suddenly we hear this noise. Like a guttural, deep, howl. We look at each other, perplexed. Then I say, "Sadie."

We go to check on her and she's just fine. I guess she thought a bellowing lullaby would be nice. I've never heard her make such a noise.

I guess tomorrow we'll have to teach Beans that the doggie says, "owuooooooogh, owoooooough!"

A Very Bean-y Christmas

Beans has experienced Christmas. And lucky for her, my mother-in-law does it like no one else. There's all out and then there's Caroline. It's the literal definition of awesome. Here are a few candid photos from the big day.

Beans going after the pimento cheese dip my uncle made. I don't like pimento cheese, but I love his. And Beans could not and would not stay out of it.

Beans with her "Me Mama" (my grandmama). They were both pretty pleased with the situation.

 

Beans speanding time with her Grundada and her Auntie Logie. Again, pretty pleased.

Beans checking out Aunt Stegie's cook book. That child loves food.

Munching on the new keys. Only thing better than keys... food.

What is she doing? Oh yeah. Going for the cheese... again.

It was warm and toasty here, so she came out of the pajamas. And ate some more food. This shot was taken not long after she literally ate face first out of my dad's hand. 

And this one wraps it up for now. A happy overwhelmed baby girl.

All in all it was a whirl wind of gifts, food, and family. I'm beat and tired, and would do it all again in a heart beat. But, I'll happily wait 364 days. No problem at all.

Who Throws a Shoe,... Seriously?

If you haven't heard, there was a man in Iraq that threw both of his shoes at President Bush. I love this story which can be read here (and in many other places if you google news results for "shoe"). 

I remember, several years ago, watching the statues of Saddam Hussein fall to the ground at the hands of the Iraqi peoples. I also remember seeing them hitting the statues with their shoes. A friend of mine thought it was particularly amusing and really enjoyed it when I explained why they were hitting the statues with shoes.

I spent part of my childhood in Egypt. I grew up knowing full well that you do not even show the bottom of your show to someone of Arab culture. It is worse to them than a middle finger in the States. It's bad. Seriously bad.

So, who throws a shoe, I ask. Someone who really does not like you. At all. Seriously.

Baby Update: My Tiny Tempest

We have entered a new phase. It's not really cute, it's a bit painful. To my ears mostly. At about 10 months, it turns out that babies go through this phase. Tantrums. It's not because she's a brat or mean, but because she's learning. She can't talk but has needs and desires and now better way to express them than screaming at the tops of her lungs.

When she wants up. Or to play with that thing. Or she wants out of the car seat mid-ride. Or she suddenly very hungry...

So what is one to do you ask? Don't give in. Wait out the screaming. The shrill, high-pitched, piercing screaming.

At least she looks funny when she's busting my ear drums. Parenthood.

Season's Greetings!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Green Sketches and Ham

Sometimes, I find awesomeness on the internet. I found this just now. If you were wondering where the adorable yet crazed-looking gingerbread man came from, here you go. His name is Greg Ham and he has a blog on Blogger too.

Gingerbread Man Time!

It's that time. I can bake my heart out and no one will question it. I'm a little hesitant to do it most of the year. I'm already a stay-at-home mum and housewife. Throwing in baking would be too much. 

But when it gets to be December, it's just good. People like to eat cookies and no one is going to make fun of me for baking them. And if they do, they get no cookie.

So what will I be baking this year... gingerbread cookies, shortbread cookies, "Christmas king cake", coconut pies, and whatever else strikes me!

Insomnia

It's the middle of the night. I am awake. It's cold. My child is asleep. My husband is asleep. Even the bear is asleep.

I would love to go to sleep. I love my bed. I hate lying awake in it. 

I am waiting until I am so tired that maybe, just maybe, I'll fall asleep when I get into bed.

I detest insomnia.

A Thousand Words

I really have been trying to think of something funny and smart to say about this picture. It's been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. This one must be priceless. I can't think a single word that needs to be said. Seriously. Look at that. What can be said about this photo that that facial expression doesn't already say. Time and date taken, and that's about it.