April Fooled No One

So this was my own take on an April Fool's joke. I was pretty sure I wouldn't be fooling anyone (and I didn't) but thought that Beans might enjoy the colour and Jason might enjoy the thought. 

What is it supposed to be? The website I got the idea from suggested making a meat loaf in a round pan and using whipped mashed potatoes as icing... so I went with cupcakes and blue mashed potatoes. 

Though it looked very... blue, Beans would not touch the potatoes. She loves potatoes! She preferred the meat and veggies. I can't say that I blame her. 

The best part of this meal was the simple fact that Jason had to take left overs to work for lunch the next day. Could you imagine eating blue mashed potatoes in a testosterone charged iron working shop? 

Hot Summer Trend

Yellow tees and bear feet slippers.

You'll see.

I'd buy yours now.

Random Question Thursday... in Spirit

Yeah, I forgot again. Yesterday was a tough day... but I won't keep you waiting.

Blogger asks: You've just written a hit musical! How will you keep fame from going to you head?

Kels answers: Easy. No one ever knows who write those things... I'd just sit back and collect the dollars.

And there you go.

Random Question Thursday

Let's cut to the point.

Blogger asks: That can't really be a fish you're standing on, can it?

Kels answers: No. I'm not standing.

The Mommy Network

If you're a mom and you haven't heard of The Mommy Network, I suggest you check it out. It's a really cool forum where you can ask literally hundreds of other mom's questions and get advice and unbiased opinions. And the organize meetings and play dates (super awesome for mom's like me that find themselves at home with no adult conversation for long periods of time). 

They recently started a blog. You can visit it here. And you can see my first article as a guest writer here.

New Blog

I've started another blog. This (the one you're currently reading) is my personal blog. I like to post things about my life and my world in general. And of course my Beans.

Pandering to my need for artistic expression, I've started another blog: Stories of Minutia. It's going to be a collection of the things that make me feel good - or bad, as I feel that art should evoke emotions, good or bad. It's a collection of the minutia that I call art.

I enjoy it. Art is something that I do for myself. And if you enjoy it too, that's fine by me. I don't mind sharing.

Ikea Brain Freeze

That's about it in a nut shell. I went to Ikea. I was there way too long. Now my head hurts. But I only spent $36 and think I found my new dinning table.

That is all. Thank you.

Baby Update: Size Five Raaawr!

She getting bigger and bigger. My little Godzilla baby. 

A month ago I went to buy some shoes for her. She wasn't with so I asked the clerk what size one year olds usually wear. She tells me that moms come in all the time and buy size 2 for the kids. So I get a 2. It's half the size of her foot.

I got back. Again with out her. I find a different pair in a size 4. I get it home and it's like stuffing a baby elephant into a Beetle. It could work, but it's going to be tight.

So back I go. This time with Beans in tow. They measure her foot. She a size 5. That's no longer a baby size. It's a child's size.

She also weighs enough now to take children's (not infant's) Tylenol and Motrin. So I guess she's officially a child now.

And for the record, that expression in the picture is a happy face. It's her hysterically happy for no real reason face.

Random Question Thursday

It's Thursday! And I'm answering the random question! On the right day!

Blogger asks: What's the most amount of sand you've ever had in your swimming trunks?

Kels answers: I've never measured, but I'd say several tablespoons at least.

Random Question Thursday... But Not on Thursday, Again

Yeah. So I'm not the best with keeping up with this. I'm sure it's killing you. My apologies.

Blogger asks: What's the best time you've ever had licking stamps?

Kels answers: I don't remember the last time I licked a stamp. They've been self-stick for years now.

Tah-dah!

The Present

One of the greatest things in my life is getting to experience moments like this everyday and occasionally catching them with my camera.

Random Question Thursday

It's Thursday and that means random question!

Blogger asks: How do you pronounce the 'g' in bologna?

Kels answers: Like the 'g' in log. Bah-log-nuh!

And there you have it. Another random question from blogger to me and from me to you.

Baby Update: Teeth and Bruises and Scrapes

Yes, it's that time again. It started in Mississippi. Beans has a second molar coming in. She's seriously fussy and grumpy and running a low grade temperature. It's just broken through the gum. She's really enjoying chewing on ice. And she actually said "ice" today. 

And speaking of new discoveries, she can now identify a nose and half way identify a mouth. She did mouth twice, but nose she knows.

And the bruises and scrapes she is so proudly displaying in the photo to the right are from her first full on encounter with pavement. Yes, little Beans was walking down my dad's drive way in Mississippi and got some serious momentum going. And it was too much. Face plant into the pavement. She handled it like a pro. She cried (wailed) for about 5 minute and then was cool. It's almost completely healed already too.

She also met the car door on the way home. She pulled this awesome maneuver in my arms and manage to connect her maxilla with the corner of the car door. Some tears and wailing, but she's tough.

Tough and cute. We're in for it.

Beany Kisses for Grand Daddy

She figured out kisses this week. Here is my dad kissing the door and Beans kissing back. How I had my camera... luck?

This probably made my dad's day too. He's on his blue tooth, taking business. It wasn't a good week for him between work and my grandmother (his mum) being ill. 

But his first (and only thus far) grandchild gave him kisses.

Hanging with Auntie Monkey

Beans got to spend some quality time with her Auntie Monkey. Yes. Monkey. It's a long story. They did some drumming and some drinking... of milk.

As you can see, Beans love hers Monkey very much. They're adorable. 

Just look at them.

Great Grandmothers

Beans also got to visit with her great grandmothers. She's lucky enough to have two: Muffy to the left and Memama to the right. As you can see, she was very happy to cuddle with both of them. After all, great grandparents are like regular grandparents doubled... they can spoil you even more.

Granny BB and Grandpa Kiwi

One of the reasons for our trip to the magnolia state was the marital union of my bonus mom and her kiwi. They met in a fairy tale situation. Both vacationing in Spain, part of the same group. She's from small town Mississippi and he's from the south island of New Zealand. They are now married and he's going to whisk her away to kiwi land. (In case you're wondering, the kiwi is the national bird of New Zealand and people from there are often referred to as "kiwis" - neat, eh?)

Beans with her Granny BB and new Grandpa Kiwi

Random Question Thursday... On Saturday!

And so it occurs to me that I have missed not one, but two Thursdays. I'm sure you've been pining for the random Blogger questions. (If only you could see my eyes rolling.)

Here is the one I owe you from the 19th...

Blogger asks: If your whole body were a hot air balloon, would you stop eating spicy food?

Kels answers: Sadly, I think I would stop eating food all together. As far as I know, hot air balloons don't eat anything.

And here is the question from the 26th...

Blogger asks: Why do you think honeydew is the money melon?

Kels answers: I didn't know it was. But if you say it is, I'd think it was because it's green.

Aren't you relieved?

We Love Grand Daddy!

Haven't been writing much. I've been away for a week. Just got back Thursday. I've been beat. 

We went to visit family in Mississippi. Yes, I have family there and yes, they have indoor plumbing, wear shoes, and are well educated. It's not really like the stereotypes you see on TV - most of the time.

Beans really enjoyed seeing everyone. The photo says a lot about the trip. Beans laughed and played and Grand Daddy facilitated it.

We went to a wedding, saw the great grandmothers, the official aunt and adopted aunts and uncles, met our new New Zealand family, and even found time for Beans to meet and battle with the pavement. 

Details and more photos to come... when I'm feeling more rested. I collapse now.

Success!

I did it! I accomplished all three objectives! Despite feeling like total poop, I prevailed. 

And now, I'm pooped.

Tomorrow, I'm going to take Beans to the park to play with some other kids and socialize a bit. I think she'll enjoy that. I'm also going to do some more laundry. And maybe make a run to Publix...

I'll let you know. 

My New Resolution

I am going to get something done everyday. Every night before I got to bed, I am going to decide on 1 to 3 things I want to accomplish the next day. I'm also going to post updates on what I did. It might not be amazingly exciting, but something's got to get me going.

So what's on for today?

Starting strong out of the gate. With three goals.

1: Go to Sam's to renew our membership and buy food. Lots of food.

2: Call Bottle Tree Bakery in Oxford, MS to see if they can make special orders and placing one if they do.

3: Fold all the clean laundry. Both gargantuan piles.

I'm also going to make a point to take Beans outsides everyday (weather permitting). I think she and I could use the sunshine. And I think it helps her sleep better.

So here's to today. 

Random Question Thursday

That's right. It's Thursday. Aren't you just giddy with anticipation?

Blogger asks: If you could peer far enough into the night sky, you'd see a star in any direction you looked. When would you sleep?

Kels answers: What? Um... I'd still sleep at night.

Well that was riveting, no?

Awkward Comfort

I would never be able to sleep like this (as an adult). The photo doesn't do it justice. The arm you can't see is folded in a way that makes it look broken and her thumb is in her partially open mouth. The knee you can't see is tucked into her armpit of the aforementioned folded arm. In case you can't tell the leg you can see is bent so that is form a 60 degree vertical angle. And he toes on her left foot are bent backward. 

She had a great nap. Seriously.

Random Question Thursday

I've become enamored with the random question generator on the profile part of Blogger. Seeing that I've already changed it once, let me catch you up...

Blogger asks: What tape is best for making a sculpture?

Kels answers: Duct tape. Always duct tape.

Blogger asks: Do you believe forks are evolved from spoons?

Kels answers: No. But I do believe that sporks are superior to both.

And of course, the question for today.

Blogger asks: What would you wear for camouflage if you wear hiding in a gingerbread house?

Kels answers: Gum drops.

Check in next Thursday for the next random Blogger question.

Baby Update: Grumpy Teeth

Yes yes. She's teething yet again. She has two molar and an incisor coming in. She's been grumpy, but sweet for days.

She's also having small tantrums again. I just look at her and tell her that screaming and yelling isn't going to make it any better. It only hurts muma's ear drums. And muma is tough.

She's also constipated. Surprised? Not really. We've switched her from formula to whole milk. It's not a big deal. The pediatrician said that her body is just adjusting and as soon as it does, she'll be her "regular" self again.

On a happier note, she's really enjoying getting into strange spots. It started with her finding her way behind the couch. And later the same day she managed to climb into her toy box - which she blended into and scared me momentarily because I didn't know where she was. And Then the other day she went back behind the couch and played peacefully as I watched from above (see photo). 

I Heart Everyday Food

I love to cook. I love to eat. I love cooking shows. And I really love "Everyday Food" on PBS. Why is it so great you may ask...

It's not because the cooks are that charismatic.

It's not because the recipes are that amazing, though they usually seem awesome.

It's not for any remotely normal reason.

Then why, Kels, why?

It's like porn for foodies! Yes, I said it. It's like porn! The way it's shot is beautiful. It makes everything seem so succulent and delicious. They just make the food look amazing. The way their ultra sharp knives glide through meat and mince onions gives me goosebumps. And it just makes me really, really,... hungry.

Thank you, "Everyday Food". I love you.

Significance in Photos

The picture to the left was taken January 30th, 2008 while she was sleeping in my arms. My little Beans was a whopping two weeks old. She weighed close to 8 pounds and was around 20 inches long. 

I was thrilled with and terrified by her. 

The picture to the right was taken January 30th, 2009 while she was wiggling on the couch. Exactly one year later. She's nearing 25 pounds and is over 30 inches tall. I'm still thrilled with her but she terrifies me much less.

Birthday Weekend: Dinner at Ahma and Papa's

For day two of the birthday weekend explosion, we traveled to the grandparents house for another birthday dinner!

Some one got to spend the whole day in her Nick and Nora pajamas.

This is not bed time, it's a nap.

Checking out the Sesame Street tunes.

Beans is a big fan of Papa.

And the glowing, flashing ball that they're playing with.

Home-made chocolate cake goodness!

Singing to the baby in Dada's lap.

In the birthday suit, ready for the cake!

Birthday Weekend: Cake Demolition

A little continuation from dinner... Beans had angel food cake with pink cream cheese icing.

She started out with a little taste.

Then things escalated.

"Oh my goodness."

You know it's serious when there's cake in the nose.

We think she's decided that cake is good.

"I do declare that this..."

"... finger is tasty."

Birthday Weekend: Bean's Dinner

We began the birthday weekend with a dinner for Beans. It was better than styrofoam. And cuter.

Beans' birthday dinner spread: corn dogs, shells and cheese, and sparkling apple juice.

And she wearing he birthday suit, accessorized with pink bunny ears.

Jason was ecstatic. 

Beans just wanted me to put the camera down and feed her.

Corn dogs required all seriousness and total concentration.

Beans thinks her dada is the best comedian on the face of the planet.

What a birthday without entertainment?

And of course, cake!

Baby Update: Happy Birthday from your Friends at Poison Control

Happy birthday to my Beany girl! That's right she's made it through one year of life! With some help from Muma and Dada, but why nit-pick?

For her first birthday treat, she found and partook (I suspect) of some styrofoam packaging! I turn my head for maybe 30 seconds and she's found some elusive foamy goodness. It's crumpled all around and I have no idea how much if any is in her mouth. Thus we fish for foam.

Not finding any in her mouth, I have a moment of peace. Then the "what ifs" set in. What is she did swallow some? Is it poisonous? Should I go to the hospital? Will they pump her stomach? But I remember the commercial "call 1-800-222-1222"! Yes, victory!

So I dial and follow the prompt and am connect with a very friendly fellow mommy (whose son will also be 1 on the 27th - happy birthday kiddo)! I tell her half laughing, half panicked  what has happened. She told me to hold for a moment while she checked, but was fairly certain that she'd be okay.

And of course after a moment she informed that she would be just fine. She said just give her a little something to drink and not to worry. Turns out that swallowing styrofoam is considered a "non-toxic" exposure! Hooray!

Child's first birthday, styrofoam, Poison Control,... all priceless!

Baby Update: What a Bean-utiful World

Haven't been blogging much. Too much going on to write. Beans has been developing at lightning speed.

She can walk. Not that she likes to do it much, but she can. She can walk across the living room with ease, but crawling is just so much faster. She has another tooth. A molar. This one makes a total of eight pearly whites in that baby's head. She learning to "talk". It's not really words, but she'll mimic sounds. She will say "ta too" for "thank you " on occasion and she has mastered "up". She has learned to drink from a straw. This doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but it's going to make bottle weaning so much easier! And today she climbed up onto the couch all on her own. A shoe box that we use to keep her blocks in was next to the couch and she, much to my chagrin, used it just like a stool. I'm proud of and terrified by this development.

She's going to be one year old this weekend. That means this time last year I was about to pop. Luckily I didn't. I just gave birth instead. Just popping would have been so much messier.

Having all that said, I have the greatest (albeit sometimes very very hard) job in the world. It doesn't pay a dime but it's priceless.

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.