What Can I Say?

This is one of the very first photos I took with my camera on my computer. So much has changed, but is so much the same. I live in the same house, but the walls are a different color. The lamp in still there, but in a different spot. I still make "bottles" for the baby, but they're sippy cups and filled with milk not formula. She still eats crunchy things, but they're usually pretzels or Goldfish Crackers. The baby still plays with remotes, but it's usually when she's trying to figure out how to turn on Little Einstein. The baby still, well... my baby. But she's walking and talking and about twice the size she is in this photo. Not to mention she has a lot more hair now.

I still love her. But I think I love her more and more everyday. My little Tookie Bean.

The Perfect Bacon

Been meaning to post this for a while. I made bacon. And though I feel that bacon is always beautiful, I found these slices to be distinctly so. The weren't burnt, nor chewy. Just beautifully, deliciously crunchy bacon slices. They were enjoyed by the whole family.

Bacon, how I love thee. Thanks for being so, good.

Couch Potatoes

The other day, Jas came home bearing gifts of pretzels. He handed the opened bag to Beans and plopped down to cuddle. Of course when Daddy comes home it's generally time for some cartoons too.

So here's sleeping Daddy and couch potato Beans.

Normally this type of behavior is something I discourage, but he was so tired and she was so happy. She would occasionally stop to point out that Daddy was next to her. And they were so cute. Would you disturb them?

Gah Daddy!

It's official. Beans love "Gah Daddy". We saw my dad over the weekend. Within 24 hours she was following him around and shouting "Gah Daddy". And I'm pretty sure you can see clearly from the photo, Gah Daddy adores his tiny Beans.

This photo is one of my favourites of the whole event. It was taken just after they had finished playing in the rain. They were soaked with rain and happiness.

I think these two are going to be buddies. Just maybe, you know?

I Made It Over 25 Years!

What have I managed to do for that long? Not get stung/bitten by a bee, wasp, hornet, etc. But that all changed today. Something got me.

I was minding my own business, just put the baby down for a nap, and opened the front door to get the mail (baby monitor in hand, mind you). And then... whoa Nelly! Pain, ouch, pain, pain pain! In a half hour I'm sure I cussed more than I have in the past year total. If I couldn't have made a sailor blush, I could have surely made one giggle.

Instant stinging! Like jumping around in the front yard, flailing and going berserk. It felt like pulsing fire. This leads me to believe (from the research I've done) it was a wasp sting. Supposedly the burn... a lot.

Best part... I had no clue what to do! I thought about using an expired EpiPen. I called my husband, no answer. I call my dad, he's not sure. He made a call to a nurse friend, but while I waited I called two other people for advice, posted questions in two forums, and managed to google first aid for stings.

Long story short. I didn't jam the EpiPen in my leg and I think I'm going to be just fine. I wrapped in a vinegar soaked baby burp rag, took some ibuprofen, cleaned it with soap and water, applied ice for 20 minutes, then smothered it in baking soda paste and bandaged it. I think I covered the first aid.

Now I'm debating whether to have it checked by a doctor or just keep an eye on it. I'll probably just watch it. It's swollen, red, burning, and all out irritating, but isn't that bad... I think. As long as it's not oozing pus, turning strange colours, or making me delirious with fever, I'm sure it will be fine.

So heres to you little bug that bit or stung me. You've ended an era. Thank you?

Wheee!

About a week ago, we made a family trip to the park. We prefaced our enjoyment of swinging and sliding with lunch and ice cream. Beans wasn't into the lunch so much. She ate a pickle slice and that's about it. But she was totally down with the ice cream. It is her new obsession. She asks for it for breakfast (and sadly, Mommy and Daddy deny this request).

She was very happy swinging. Almost the entire time she said "wheee" on a loop. Until she started saying "M". This puzzled us at first, but we soon realized she was pointing at the bike rack which was indeed shaped like a lower case m.

My little blonde carbon based unit of perpetual happiness.

New Do

Or maybe it is a do not. I like it. Napalm orange and bleachy blonde. You only live once and hair grows back. Unless you're going bald. But then there's always Hair Club for Men.

When Life Gives You Lemons...

Little Miss Beans has an ear infection which means antibiotics. Not a favourite around here. Anything we have to give her in a syringe is bad. It could be sugar water, but it's still not going to happen.

So the first night of medication, Mommy and Daddy had to hold poor Beans down and fight to get it down. It was horrendous. There was a lot on her, her daddy, and me. I'm just not sure about in her.

Later, I tasted the stuff. And nearly gagged! I can't blame her for not wanting to take it! I wouldn't want to either. It's like bitter, chalky goo with a slight hint of citrus or tropical fruit flavor. What pharmaceutical genius thought of that concoction for a kid!? I know it's medicine, but come on! It's not like finding a cure for the common cold... just make the stuff taste good!

So the next morning I had an epiphany after trying to fake her out by putting it in the straw of her sippy cup (which actually got 2 mL in her). I thought lemonade! She loves it and it would cover that awful bitterness with a little extra sugar. I got online and found nothing saying mixing citrus with it would be bad (if you're considering doing this please check with your pharmacist - I am not a medical professional) so to the kitchen I went.

A squeeze of lemon, a ¼ teaspoon of sugar, a ¼ cup of Country Time Lemonade, and 3 more mL of medication. And then I ask Beans if she wants some lemonade. Her response? "Lem-made!"

Sucked the whole thing down! Victory! It seems to be working still. If we can keep it going to 8 more days, we'll be golden... like sunny, delicious, lemonade.

I've always heard that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade. And I've always felt that if life gives you lemonade, you just sell it. But now I've learned for certain that if life gives you a toddler with an ear infection and medication that tastes like a sadistic, parent-torturing chemist flavoured it (i.e. life giving you lemons), make lemonade and give it to the toddler.

I Love This Man

Going through some photos, I found this one. It's not the best photo of either of us. Let's face it. I have my tongue sticking out. But it reminds me of how great the man sitting next to me is. He is awesome. He can cook. He can fix anything. He's like a one man contractor. He can forge metal and weld. He's artistic but tone deaf and can't dance. He even rubs my feet though I won't touch his. He makes our baby girl and me laugh uncontrollably at times. 

And I love him madly. 

Baby Update: 18 Month Check Up

We made it through another visit to the doctor. This one was far more eventful than all the ones before. Why? Let's just say that adorable grinning girl is stronger and smarter than I imagined.

We went into the waiting room where it was all smiles and giggles. Nothing bad has ever happened to her in the waiting room. Then the dirty diaper hit the fan and we walked back to the exam room.

As soon as I started taking her shirt off, she started getting upset. She remembered what happens when she's in the exam room... shots. She didn't want to lie down so they could measure her height (which came in right under 33 inches). She didn't want to stand on the scale to measure her weight (which is 27.2 pounds).  And then came the doctor.

She was nice, but to make things more uncomfortable it was one of the doctors we've only seen maybe twice before. Beans was being poked and prodded by a stranger. She was pissed, but we survived. Even though I had to hold her in my lap with my arms around her head to check her ears... and every check was like that.

And shots. Wow. She recognised that silver tray instantly. I had to hold her chest and arms while the nurse held her legs between her knees. You wouldn't believe the shade of red this child turns when she's angry and scared and in pain.

But we made and she good for the next six months. Unless of course she gets sick in the meantime. But until then, we'll enjoy six months of no baby doctors. Here's to a healthy little girl.

Christmas Is Over

So Christmas came early this year. And will come again in six months. 

We set up our tree. We rocked Christmas songs and discovered they make rap Christmas music. We baked Christmas cookies. We had egg nog. Yes, my mother-in-law makes the most awesome egg nog and she whipped up a batch for the occasion. And what summer Christmas party would be complete with out burgers, hot dogs, and pulled pork?

We also played Dirty Santa or White Elephant. I'm still not sure if there is a difference, but I ended up with two fantastic beer steins. And of course I "stole" them from some one else playing. Because I'm dirty... or an elephant. Maybe I'm a dirty elephant?

And to top off the evening, I went down the Christmas Slip and Slide. The photo is from the first run. I went three times. And that was after only 2 beers. As you can see from my expression, I planned on it hurting much more than it did. It really wasn't that bad. I even talked Heather into trying it. She was less than thrilled, but an 

excellent sport.

All in all, a great Christmas in July. Hope to do it again next year. Merry July to all.

Christmas in July!

That's right. You heard me. We're dragging the fake tree down from the attic and decking the halls. Or our friend's back yard. We've decided that, this year, July 25th will be Christmas in July. 

It's something I've always wanted to do. Ever since I can remember, the novelty of it has made my brain tingle. I actually have friends that find this as amusing as I do, so my silly little idea will come to fruition in less than a week. 

We're grilling and decorating a tree. And there will be obnoxious Christmas music. Ho ho ho!

Dinner... Tomorrow?

I thought ahead, which for me is rare. But I pulled pork chops out of the freezer last night. I put them into the crock pot this morning with apricot preserves, brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice, garlic powder, ginger, and mandarin oranges. Then I get a phone call from Jas. 

We're going to his parents for dinner. Tonight. Family is in town. I can understand that. So we'll eat this tomorrow. With rice and green beans. But I don't have to cook tonight... oh wait. I already did.

Baby Update: Much Ado About the Potty

Beans is now a year and half old. And I'm ready for potty training. But as you know there is always a but...

The toilet in our house is sad. It is sad because Beans won't put her cute little bum on it. At all. It only results in a nude, hovering butt attached to an arched back which is attached to a neck which houses vibrating vocal chords and holds up a darling blonde head and angry red face. Yeah. She just screams.

So I fear that she may just not be ready even though I am. I don't like diapers. Bad for the planet, bad for my wallet, and ever filling my trash can. I'm done.

MISSION: Figure out how to get that powder white booty on the porcelain throne.

I Call Shenanigans!

I got a phone call from a number from area code 423. They knew my name and said I'd won a $1000 shopping spree. I was "offered" magazine subscriptions for the price of shipping and handling only and told my $1000 would arrive in the mail in 3 to 5 business days. All they "needed" was to confirm my credit card number and expiration date. 

What made this one tricky is that they claimed to be from "American Publisher" which is a real BBB registered company with an "A" rating. I called the number the BBB had and asked if they had offices in Tennessee (which is where that number is from) and they said absolutely not. They are based in Illinois (and the two representatives I talked to were very nice). If you get a call DO NOT give them your info! Call the police and report them please!

However I do have to say that if this a legitimate company and I'm wrong, I apologize. The cops won't bug you and I'm just out $1000. So really if you're not trying to steal my credit card information, it's my loss.

But it's like they say, if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and sounds like a duck, it's probably not a moose.

Random Thursday

Yeah, I've missed a couple. 

Random is an adverb.

I'm struggling here.

Laundry to the Left of me, Laundry to the Right...

Here I am, stuck in the middle folding. Yes, it's now Thursday. I forgot to blog yesterday and Tuesday. As a favourite writer of mine once said, my ambition is hadicapped by my laziness. But I have good news. I've done at least two loads (washed, dried, folded, and put away) each day. I'm making progress. My husband can get dressed in the morning without asking where the clean socks are. I still have some work to do. Starting on the piles of sheets today. My sister and her boyfriend are coming for the weekend and I need to get some serious cleaning done along with clean sheets on the bed.

Till then, my peoples, let the washing machine spin.

I'm A Washing Machine

During nap time alone, I folded 4 loads of laundry and have one drying and one washing. That's a bunch of dirty clothes... and there's more.

Until it's ALL done, I'm going to update my blog daily and make myself feel bad when I don't do any. You should feel free to heckle me on those days. Hopefully I won't give you the chance.

Having said that, I have to go get a load out of the dryer and one into the dryer and then get the baby girl up.

*As a side note: The laundry in the photo is not mine. I liked the image.

Where's Yiyi?

Hi there! Miss me? I've missed you. Really, I have. A little.

Nothing personal, but I've been too busy and hot to miss blogging. And with a cute little water bug (like the one in the photo to the right) who could miss anything?

We've been swimming, we went to the zoo, we been playing in the sand box and the kiddie pool. We've been having a blast. 

It's also been hot. If you haven't figured it out, we live in the south-east United States. And it gets sickeningly hot here. I've lived in Cairo, Egypt and the heat there is more tolerable than it is here. It's the humidity. It's like walking around in a hot bathroom that someone just took an hour long shower in. It's hot and gross. But if you like that sort of thing, great. Some one should. Thank you for taking that bullet for me.

But Beans doesn't mind the heat of humidity. As long as there's water or people she happy as a clam in a frog shaped pool.

Random Thursday

You know I missed one. I know it too. But that's okay. We all make mistakes.

For today a random haiku from RandomHaiku.com.

Germany challenged

until the luggage imagined

and the papers went

Have a nice day and thank you for reading.