Christmas technically ended this morning after I finished washing the mountain of dishes we left piled in the sink after our final Christmas party last night.
I hope all of you Tier One folks had as much fun as we did. Thanks everyone for coming and especially to the Densleys for the drinks and cheese balls, to Larry for the yummy ham, and to the Sykes for that BEAUTIFUL cake that would've been a crime to eat if it hadn't been so freaking delicious. The night wouldn't have been complete without a game of pictionary (on the easel that Santa brough Forr). I took no pictures (what kind of a blogger am I anyway??). Hopefully Shorty will post some on her blog.
Christmas 2008 will go down in our history as being super duper and yada yada yada. I think I am all Christmas'd out.
I am excited about my new years resolutions however. Here they are:
1. Register for the 1/2 marathon I have already verbally and mentally committed to.
2. Start running...
3. Pull out my guitar and learn some new stuff.
4. Lose the remaining baby-weight.
5. Get into the habit of regular scripture study.
What are yours??
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
these are a few of mae's favorite things
1. Raindrops on roses- no, just kidding
2. White-noise maker for sleeping babies
3. Real waterproof snow boots. Hideous but functional. I can see why Napoleon Dynamite wears his all the time.
4. The adjustable waistband on kids clothes.
5. The Sit 'n Stand LX stroller. My trips to the mall end unhappily and prematurely without it. It also has cupholders.
6. Getting my hair cut. Right?? Nothing beats the feeling of a brand spankin' new cut and color. Here is a pic of my new one:
7. Mr. Clean magic eraser. If it weren't for this miraculous invention (along with washable markers), my in-laws would be coming home from their mission to some beautiful artwork on their walls, floors, and dishwasher.
8. And finally, the following recipe. Seriously, try it. I made it for myself on my birthday last year and think it might become an annual tradition (I might even name the tradition gluttony).
Deeeelicious Chocolate Cake
1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar *decrease by 2 T
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa
1 ½ tsp baking soda
1 ½ tsp baking powder *decrease by ¼ tsp
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk *add 2 T
½ cup vegetable oil *add 1 T
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup boiling water *add 2 T
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare two 9-inch cake pans by rubbing with butter, sprinkling with flour and tapping out extra. In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix together with a wooden spoon then set aside. In small bowl combine eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Beat well with hand mixer. Slowly add boiling water and mix. Add wet ingredients to flour mixture and fold and stir until smooth. Pour batter into pans, dividing evenly. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove cake from pans and cool on racks.
*Adjustment for high altitude in case, like me, you live in a state which is well above sea level.
Cream Cheese Chocolate Frosting
2 ¼ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 cups powdered sugar
¼ cups plus 2 T cocoa
¼ tsp salt
11 T butter (room temp)
8 oz. cream cheese (room temp)
1 1/3 cups sour cream (room temp)
1 tsp vanilla
Combine dry ingredients. Cream butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Add dry ingredients. Add melted chocolate chips, vanilla and sour cream.
2. White-noise maker for sleeping babies
3. Real waterproof snow boots. Hideous but functional. I can see why Napoleon Dynamite wears his all the time.
4. The adjustable waistband on kids clothes.
5. The Sit 'n Stand LX stroller. My trips to the mall end unhappily and prematurely without it. It also has cupholders.
6. Getting my hair cut. Right?? Nothing beats the feeling of a brand spankin' new cut and color. Here is a pic of my new one:
7. Mr. Clean magic eraser. If it weren't for this miraculous invention (along with washable markers), my in-laws would be coming home from their mission to some beautiful artwork on their walls, floors, and dishwasher.
8. And finally, the following recipe. Seriously, try it. I made it for myself on my birthday last year and think it might become an annual tradition (I might even name the tradition gluttony).
Deeeelicious Chocolate Cake
1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar *decrease by 2 T
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa
1 ½ tsp baking soda
1 ½ tsp baking powder *decrease by ¼ tsp
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk *add 2 T
½ cup vegetable oil *add 1 T
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup boiling water *add 2 T
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare two 9-inch cake pans by rubbing with butter, sprinkling with flour and tapping out extra. In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix together with a wooden spoon then set aside. In small bowl combine eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Beat well with hand mixer. Slowly add boiling water and mix. Add wet ingredients to flour mixture and fold and stir until smooth. Pour batter into pans, dividing evenly. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove cake from pans and cool on racks.
*Adjustment for high altitude in case, like me, you live in a state which is well above sea level.
Cream Cheese Chocolate Frosting
2 ¼ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 cups powdered sugar
¼ cups plus 2 T cocoa
¼ tsp salt
11 T butter (room temp)
8 oz. cream cheese (room temp)
1 1/3 cups sour cream (room temp)
1 tsp vanilla
Combine dry ingredients. Cream butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Add dry ingredients. Add melted chocolate chips, vanilla and sour cream.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
it's all fun and games until the baby gets dumped in the snow
Picture this: Forrest sitting on a sled trying to hold onto Lola who is wedged in between his legs. I am holding onto the rope attached to the front of the sled and am pulling the unsuspecting children around in the snow.
Forrest is having an absolute riot and Lola is enjoying the ride...I guess she is since she isn't crying. I notice that the resistance on the rope is suddenly gone and turn around to find Lola laying face-first in three inches of fresh powder with her big brother on top of her. As I am rushing over to save her from the freezing facial Forrest is pushing down on Lola's head in order to right himself.
Chivalry at it's finest. I guess we can give him a break since he is only two years old.
Forrest is having an absolute riot and Lola is enjoying the ride...I guess she is since she isn't crying. I notice that the resistance on the rope is suddenly gone and turn around to find Lola laying face-first in three inches of fresh powder with her big brother on top of her. As I am rushing over to save her from the freezing facial Forrest is pushing down on Lola's head in order to right himself.
Chivalry at it's finest. I guess we can give him a break since he is only two years old.
Can I at least press pause?
At the neighborhood Dollar Tree this morning my two-year-old saw a bottle of soda he wanted in a refrigerated endcap. He held his teensy hand out and politely asked me for some money.
Lola is getting up off the ground on her hands and knees, definitely thinking about crawling.
They are growing up too fast. How do I slow it down??
Monday, December 15, 2008
Making His Daddy Proud
This morning I was half-watching the news on the television in the kitchen while clearing out the dishwasher. During the sports segment Forrest scooted a chair right in front of the television screen to watch the highlights of yesterday's Cowboys/Giants game. This is what I heard:
"GO...(reaching crescendo)GET 'EM!...(practically screaming now and pumping fists in the air)TICKLE 'EM!!!"
Hm. I wonder where he learned that behavior.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
completely random
Now we can begin to put that nasty blog drama behind us. Sorry to those of you who requested details, I am not ready to divulge any specifics because quite frankly just thinking about the whole mess is making me want to crawl behind the couch and hide. Please, let us never speak of it again.
Some random items:
I am having a hard time concentrating at the moment because Forrest is approximately two feet away from me playing the piano with his elbows and glancing at me out of the corner of his eye to see if he is doing something wrong.
Some kid barfed in front of us in the food line at the ward Christmas party last night.
Jeff and Em are expecting their first baby ANY DAY NOW! I saw Em yesterday and had to practically sit on my hands to keep from molesting her cute belly.
And finally, it is 11:19 in the morning, I haven't even showered yet and I am sitting here on the computer in my pj's watching the blizzard ouside and getting really excited for Christmas.
Some random items:
I am having a hard time concentrating at the moment because Forrest is approximately two feet away from me playing the piano with his elbows and glancing at me out of the corner of his eye to see if he is doing something wrong.
Some kid barfed in front of us in the food line at the ward Christmas party last night.
Jeff and Em are expecting their first baby ANY DAY NOW! I saw Em yesterday and had to practically sit on my hands to keep from molesting her cute belly.
And finally, it is 11:19 in the morning, I haven't even showered yet and I am sitting here on the computer in my pj's watching the blizzard ouside and getting really excited for Christmas.
Friday, December 12, 2008
what is wrong with me???
A wee bit of advice.
If you are thinking it might be funny to play a "little joke" on someone by...say...pretending that you are someone else and leaving them a comment on their blog.
DON'T DO IT.
It is not funny.
And it makes you a cyber-bully.
My lovely friend- you know who you are- whom I have known my whole life and love you as if you were my sister: I am sorry. I don't know why I think I am so damn funny but I am not. I didn't mean to stress you out (especially right now!!!!!).
Now please excuse me while I die of embarassment.
If you are thinking it might be funny to play a "little joke" on someone by...say...pretending that you are someone else and leaving them a comment on their blog.
DON'T DO IT.
It is not funny.
And it makes you a cyber-bully.
My lovely friend- you know who you are- whom I have known my whole life and love you as if you were my sister: I am sorry. I don't know why I think I am so damn funny but I am not. I didn't mean to stress you out (especially right now!!!!!).
Now please excuse me while I die of embarassment.
Daytime Television Truths
I admit it. I will even shout it: I LOVE ALL MY CHILDREN! I know, I know it is cheesy and ridiculous. It is mind-numbing brain candy but I eat it up every chance I get.
I got hooked on it many many years ago when the middle-aged women I used to work with were glued to it during our lunch hour. I developed a slight crush on Leo Dupree and hoped with all my heart and he and Greenlee Smythe would one day finally find true happiness with each other (Obviously I did not know about the Daytime Television Truths then).
One day after I had left the workforce to pursue my current exploits as a Holly Homemaker I was walking around the filthy house in my slippers with my hair in curlers and stuffing bonbons into my bonbon hole when I flipped on the TV and to my supreme delight I saw Ryan Lavery about to get married to some broad I didn't recognize (little did I know she would eventually go completely nuts after killing her brother and stab Erica Kane at Zach Slater's company fundraiser). Oh, I had missed them terribly and hadn't even realized it. I think it took me about 2 weeks to get completely up to date on the happenings in Pine Valley after about 5 years of not watching a single episode.
For your reading pleasure I have articulated a few All My Children truths. I think they are pretty universal and would apply to most soap operas. Here goes.
1. You know someone is about to die as soon as they finally find true bliss with their on-again-off-again fiance or spouse (when Leo and Greenlee finally found it he want sailing over a waterfall on his motorcycle and died).
2. You can be forgiven for virtually anything including murder, drugging an entire town with libidozone (a drug which you invented for that purpose), kidnapping, adultery, throwing someone into a pool on their wedding day while in their wedding dress, arson, pretending someone elses baby is yours, the list goes on and on and on and well, you get the idea).
3. You can have children (even newborn babies) without ever taking care of them and not even appearing to care where they are most of the time (that is until they get kidnapped).
4. You can have a perfect body and a perfectly clean house without ever exercising or cleaning your house.
5. It is way more common than you think to fall over a waterfall and die.
6. A healthy number of people in a small town go completely nuts.
7. An equally healthy number of people in a small town are also demonically evil.
8. Acting lessons are overrated.
I am really looking forward to Kendall waking up from her coma (which she slipped into after being injured in the recent tornado) to find out that her lesbian sister, Bianca, used her hubby's tadpoles to make herself a baby. I have a feeling that Kendall forgiving Bianca just may be this year's Christmas Miracle.
Weekdays at 12:00 on ABC.
woah, what a weekend
Here are some highlights.
My brother Chad and his ever-lovin' Lisa stayed with us for the weekend along with their ADORABLE one-year-old, Kevin (Nate and Cleo stayed with Grandma and Grandpa).
Thursday. Thanksgiving!! What a day. We headed over to my sis-in-law Jen's house around 1:00 pm for "linner" which was absolutely scrupmtious (the Evans definitely have the corner on the mashed potato market). We hung out there until 4ish when we went over to my mom's for our 2nd turkey dinner which was equally scrumptious. On a side note: Right now I might be pigging out on some leftover chocolate pie that somehow ended up in my fridge.
On Friday the real fun began. We just hung out. All day. That evening we had my side of the fam over for dinner.
Andrew (he didn't really eat the whole pan of waver jello, he just finished it off):
Miss Morgan:
Justin and Nat:
awwww
Father and son:
Saturday we took a trip out to the Cherokee Ranch.
I could just eat her:
coneheads??
Nobody said y'all weren't tough
Grandma with Loly:
Chad and Kev-bo
Jeff and Em (along with baby Milo still in Em's tummy)
The trip out to the Cherokee Ranch was a nice finishing touch to a wild weekend. Monday came much too soon.
My brother Chad and his ever-lovin' Lisa stayed with us for the weekend along with their ADORABLE one-year-old, Kevin (Nate and Cleo stayed with Grandma and Grandpa).
Thursday. Thanksgiving!! What a day. We headed over to my sis-in-law Jen's house around 1:00 pm for "linner" which was absolutely scrupmtious (the Evans definitely have the corner on the mashed potato market). We hung out there until 4ish when we went over to my mom's for our 2nd turkey dinner which was equally scrumptious. On a side note: Right now I might be pigging out on some leftover chocolate pie that somehow ended up in my fridge.
On Friday the real fun began. We just hung out. All day. That evening we had my side of the fam over for dinner.
Andrew (he didn't really eat the whole pan of waver jello, he just finished it off):
Miss Morgan:
Justin and Nat:
awwww
Father and son:
Saturday we took a trip out to the Cherokee Ranch.
I could just eat her:
coneheads??
Nobody said y'all weren't tough
Grandma with Loly:
Chad and Kev-bo
Jeff and Em (along with baby Milo still in Em's tummy)
The trip out to the Cherokee Ranch was a nice finishing touch to a wild weekend. Monday came much too soon.
Who Says I Don't Love My Dog?
OK family, don't answer that.
Yesterday Q-man asked me what the heck that big lump on Ashes' ear was. I hadn't noticed any lump on her ear so I found her and confirmed that she indeed had a big gross lump on her ear and I reported to Q-man that I had no idea what the heck that big lump on Ashes' ear was.
I have a bit of an active imagination and tend to go a little overboard so I started imagining the vet telling me that the lump was cancer and that Ashes only had a few months to live and I started getting very sad. I also started to feel some guilt about the fact that she has been neglected since the chitlin came along. To be totally honest I also felt guilty about being kinda sorta mean to her lately and by lately I mean for the past 2 or so years. I know, it is an ugly truth and I am ashamed of it.
I decided to give the old girl a bath today partly because she is FILTHY from spending most of her time outside and partly because I wanted to inspect the lump.
While lathering up her head I scrubbed her ears and felt some cakey dry stuff on top of the "lump" so I began to pull it off in an effort to clean it off. Upon close inspection I saw the lump begin to ooze---THIS GETS YUCKY SO IF YOU ARE SQUEAMISH SKIP TO THE NEXT PARAGRAPH---so where were we...oh yeah, the lump was oozing yellowish greenish nastiness. I did what anyone would do- I grabbed a wad of toilet paper and I squoze. ew ew ew ew ew ew ew Miles and miles of stringy puss shot out of the lump. Just thinking about it now is making the hint of lime tostitos I ate a few hours ago do a dance in my tummy. ew. I then globbed a healthy dose of neosporin on the now lump-less area.
Here is a picture of old puss-ear herself:
I guess it wasn't cancer (sigh of relief).
That is the thing about pets. Occasionally you have to do this really really gross stuff. Like the time Q-man and I were up Millcreek Canyon with her and she decides to squat right in the middle of the trail and starts pooping out an entire paper towel. Q-man had to get two sticks and help her finish getting it out because it got stuck. Meanwhile I hid behind some trees and watched the horror on the other hikers' faces who saw a man pulling complete paper towels out of his dog's butt. Being a pet owner definitely has it's ups and downs.
I really sympathize with Ashes. She used to be our baby before we had real ones. We took her everywhere (I think my parents must have cringed everytime they saw the dog jump out of our car when we came to visit). Granted, we never took her to the mall to get pictures of her on Santa's lap (ha! can you imagine)but she did go from getting tons of attention and being the center of our world to just being the dog. When it comes right down to it I know dogs don't live forever and when that day comes it will be a very, very sad one.
Yesterday Q-man asked me what the heck that big lump on Ashes' ear was. I hadn't noticed any lump on her ear so I found her and confirmed that she indeed had a big gross lump on her ear and I reported to Q-man that I had no idea what the heck that big lump on Ashes' ear was.
I have a bit of an active imagination and tend to go a little overboard so I started imagining the vet telling me that the lump was cancer and that Ashes only had a few months to live and I started getting very sad. I also started to feel some guilt about the fact that she has been neglected since the chitlin came along. To be totally honest I also felt guilty about being kinda sorta mean to her lately and by lately I mean for the past 2 or so years. I know, it is an ugly truth and I am ashamed of it.
I decided to give the old girl a bath today partly because she is FILTHY from spending most of her time outside and partly because I wanted to inspect the lump.
While lathering up her head I scrubbed her ears and felt some cakey dry stuff on top of the "lump" so I began to pull it off in an effort to clean it off. Upon close inspection I saw the lump begin to ooze---THIS GETS YUCKY SO IF YOU ARE SQUEAMISH SKIP TO THE NEXT PARAGRAPH---so where were we...oh yeah, the lump was oozing yellowish greenish nastiness. I did what anyone would do- I grabbed a wad of toilet paper and I squoze. ew ew ew ew ew ew ew Miles and miles of stringy puss shot out of the lump. Just thinking about it now is making the hint of lime tostitos I ate a few hours ago do a dance in my tummy. ew. I then globbed a healthy dose of neosporin on the now lump-less area.
Here is a picture of old puss-ear herself:
I guess it wasn't cancer (sigh of relief).
That is the thing about pets. Occasionally you have to do this really really gross stuff. Like the time Q-man and I were up Millcreek Canyon with her and she decides to squat right in the middle of the trail and starts pooping out an entire paper towel. Q-man had to get two sticks and help her finish getting it out because it got stuck. Meanwhile I hid behind some trees and watched the horror on the other hikers' faces who saw a man pulling complete paper towels out of his dog's butt. Being a pet owner definitely has it's ups and downs.
I really sympathize with Ashes. She used to be our baby before we had real ones. We took her everywhere (I think my parents must have cringed everytime they saw the dog jump out of our car when we came to visit). Granted, we never took her to the mall to get pictures of her on Santa's lap (ha! can you imagine)but she did go from getting tons of attention and being the center of our world to just being the dog. When it comes right down to it I know dogs don't live forever and when that day comes it will be a very, very sad one.
The Cherokee Ranch
I know Mom said, "NO Indian names," but I can't think of a better one...okay so I haven't really thought about it that much. We'll just call it The Cherokee Ranch for now.
I have to say it is really cool. Really cool. I will admit I was skeptical at first when my parents said they were going to look at some Moondance Ranch property for sale out by Duchesne. Duchesne?? Isn't that some weird hick-town out by... what is it even by?? I was pretty sure I had driven through there at one point or another and seemed to remember a lot of scrub oak and not much else. So let's just say I was skeptical.
They bought it. 40 acres of land out by Duchesne. The Cherokee Ranch.
Yesterday I wedged myself in-between two carseats in the back of my parent's Jeep Liberty and headed out to see the Cherokee Ranch. The drive was scenic and enjoyable complete with a few stops to nurse Lola, nurse ourselves with delicious hamburgers, and pick up a few things from Al's Food Barn (the only grocery store in Duchesne and a fine grocery store at that).
The Cherokee Ranch is maybe 15 minutes from Duchesne. The Cherokee Ranch is also HUGE. Huge. 40 acres is a lot of land, especially when you walk all the way around the perimeter with a 2 year old and a 5 month old. The Cherokee Ranch is 40 acres Riddled with hills, valleys, washes, ravines, junipers, pines, drift wood, and yes- scrub oak.
The implications of this purchase my parents made are still sinking in. Especially since everytime I referred to The Cherokee Ranch as their property they corrected me and called it our property. They bought all of this land for us. Our family. The Cherokee Ranch is destined to become 40 acres of awesome family memories and I, for one, cannot wait to get back out there with the whole family and explore all 40 acres over and over again.
Dad aka GPS Master:
Lola L-O-L-A Lola:
Forrest, trying to find the next marker:
Two long shadows heading off into the sunset:
Scenic:
Wow, what a view:
Some really cool drift wood:
coconuts too...seriously??
Am I a complete idiot? I had no idea that a coconut was actually a nut. Which is pretty idiotic since I am the monther of a kid who is seriously allergic to nuts. I feel so uninformed. To be honest, it didn't even occur to me that a coconut would be a nut until my sis asked me if she could give Forrest a cookie with coconut in it. I SAID YES because I thought a coconut was a fruit. Forget the fact that it is called a cocoNUT.
OK, I just researched the matter and it appears that a coconut is not a nut and it is not a fruit. It is actually- are you ready for this- a seed.
Well, I learned at the allergist's office on Wednesday that Forrest is allergic to coconut. I guess that would explain why he didn't eat the cookie I gave him a few weeks ago that was choc full of coconut. It would also explain why he wouldn't eat the chocolate cake with coconut frosting I pushed on him on Quinn's birthday. Taking a bite probably made his throat itch or his mouth tingle or something. As a kid who loves food and sweets, him not eating a cookie or cake should have clued me in. I really need to be more careful.
Thankfully his allergy to coconut is not as serious as his allergy to peanuts and cashews which cause him anaphylaxis. For the record he is also allergic to walnuts, almonds, and the allergist said he is most likely allergic to pistachios (apparently that allergy goes hand in hand with the cashew allergy). She also advised me to give or throw away any pistachios we get over the holidays because the allergic reactions she has seen to them have been worse than to the dreaded peanut.
Why am I boring you with this information? Because I love my little Forrey more that life itself and the thought of him having a bite of a PB&J or picking up a reeses pieces off the floor and eating it keeps me up at night with worry. The thought of sending him off to school nearly stops my heart from beating. At least I have a few more years before I really need to worry about that.
While at the allergists office, I also had to hold Forrest in a reverse-full-nelson (refer to WWF for a picture of what that looks like) while he screamed bloody murder so a medical assistant could scratch little bits of various allergens on his back so we can see what other array of foods when ingested may close his throat making breathing difficult or impossible. Here is a picture of what his back looks like today (his appt was Wednesday). Those little red bumps are the remaining reaction to the diluted peanut, walnut, coconut, and histamine scratched onto his back.
Here is a picture of our new epipens (used to scare away any potential babysitters):
The stuff nightmares are made of in our house:
Here is a picture of my adorable little boy with this lame allergy:
On the bright side I learned from the allergist that about 20% of kids with the peanut allergy do outgrow it (I am keeping my fingers crossed). I also know 3 adults with a severe peanut allergy so I know it is possible, even likely that he will survive this.
OK, I just researched the matter and it appears that a coconut is not a nut and it is not a fruit. It is actually- are you ready for this- a seed.
Well, I learned at the allergist's office on Wednesday that Forrest is allergic to coconut. I guess that would explain why he didn't eat the cookie I gave him a few weeks ago that was choc full of coconut. It would also explain why he wouldn't eat the chocolate cake with coconut frosting I pushed on him on Quinn's birthday. Taking a bite probably made his throat itch or his mouth tingle or something. As a kid who loves food and sweets, him not eating a cookie or cake should have clued me in. I really need to be more careful.
Thankfully his allergy to coconut is not as serious as his allergy to peanuts and cashews which cause him anaphylaxis. For the record he is also allergic to walnuts, almonds, and the allergist said he is most likely allergic to pistachios (apparently that allergy goes hand in hand with the cashew allergy). She also advised me to give or throw away any pistachios we get over the holidays because the allergic reactions she has seen to them have been worse than to the dreaded peanut.
Why am I boring you with this information? Because I love my little Forrey more that life itself and the thought of him having a bite of a PB&J or picking up a reeses pieces off the floor and eating it keeps me up at night with worry. The thought of sending him off to school nearly stops my heart from beating. At least I have a few more years before I really need to worry about that.
While at the allergists office, I also had to hold Forrest in a reverse-full-nelson (refer to WWF for a picture of what that looks like) while he screamed bloody murder so a medical assistant could scratch little bits of various allergens on his back so we can see what other array of foods when ingested may close his throat making breathing difficult or impossible. Here is a picture of what his back looks like today (his appt was Wednesday). Those little red bumps are the remaining reaction to the diluted peanut, walnut, coconut, and histamine scratched onto his back.
Here is a picture of our new epipens (used to scare away any potential babysitters):
The stuff nightmares are made of in our house:
Here is a picture of my adorable little boy with this lame allergy:
On the bright side I learned from the allergist that about 20% of kids with the peanut allergy do outgrow it (I am keeping my fingers crossed). I also know 3 adults with a severe peanut allergy so I know it is possible, even likely that he will survive this.
Holy Haircut Batman
When I decide I need a haircut it isn't like, "oh I hope my hairdresser can get me in soon." It is like, "I need a haircut TODAY." That is usually because it has been at least 4 or 5 months and I have at least 3 inches of re-growth and my ends look like feathers.
I was looking at Forr's hair this morning and decided that he needed a haircut TODAY. It hadn't been 4 or 5 months since his last one and he didn't have feathery split ends or inches of dark roots. His hair was just hanging over the tops of his ears like eaves. I had to take action.
The first step was returning the clippers to Wal-Mart I just barely bought because apparently they got really really hot and nearly lit Q-man's head on fire and started pulling the hair right out of his scalp the last time he shaved his head.
Q-man will be happy to know that at Wal-Mart I opted for the "top of the line" head clippers this time. Hopefully they stay the same temperature while being operated and do not start pulling the hairs out of people's scalps.
According to my estimation, Forr has gotten at least 10 or so haircuts in his life. Now I wouldn't say that he ever enjoyed getting his haircut but holy cow today, if anyone happened to be listening from the yard while I was cutting his hair they would have imagined me pulling his toenails off of his toes with pliers. It was out of control. I tried the soft, sweet mommy talk: "(very soothing) It's okay baby, it doesn't hurt see (hold clippers to his arm and hand to show him that they don't hurt). I tried using scissors but let's just say that nearly ended us both up in the ER. Finally I resorted to the dreaded timeout which actually worked out by the way.
Because Forr was so upset and I had to hold his hand while cutting his hair I opted for the buzz cut. He is so very cute.
Here he is after the post-haircut bath necessary to wash off all of the little hairs from his neck:
Backview:
One more shot:
Here's to hoping it takes a loooooong time to grow back.
I was looking at Forr's hair this morning and decided that he needed a haircut TODAY. It hadn't been 4 or 5 months since his last one and he didn't have feathery split ends or inches of dark roots. His hair was just hanging over the tops of his ears like eaves. I had to take action.
The first step was returning the clippers to Wal-Mart I just barely bought because apparently they got really really hot and nearly lit Q-man's head on fire and started pulling the hair right out of his scalp the last time he shaved his head.
Q-man will be happy to know that at Wal-Mart I opted for the "top of the line" head clippers this time. Hopefully they stay the same temperature while being operated and do not start pulling the hairs out of people's scalps.
According to my estimation, Forr has gotten at least 10 or so haircuts in his life. Now I wouldn't say that he ever enjoyed getting his haircut but holy cow today, if anyone happened to be listening from the yard while I was cutting his hair they would have imagined me pulling his toenails off of his toes with pliers. It was out of control. I tried the soft, sweet mommy talk: "(very soothing) It's okay baby, it doesn't hurt see (hold clippers to his arm and hand to show him that they don't hurt). I tried using scissors but let's just say that nearly ended us both up in the ER. Finally I resorted to the dreaded timeout which actually worked out by the way.
Because Forr was so upset and I had to hold his hand while cutting his hair I opted for the buzz cut. He is so very cute.
Here he is after the post-haircut bath necessary to wash off all of the little hairs from his neck:
Backview:
One more shot:
Here's to hoping it takes a loooooong time to grow back.
That's the Thanks I Get
This year I decided to vote early. It worked out great. I got a sweet parking spot at the city/county building, I had enough skittles to keep Forrest occupied until I was done and Lola slept soundly the entire time. I only had to wait in line about 5 minutes.
During that brief 5 minutes I noticed a certain newsman sitting very importantly at a table taking notes presumably about us awesome early voters. Thanks to the man behind me striking up a conversation with him I learned that the newsman was Chris Vanokur with ABC 4 news.
No big deal.
As I rounded the corner of the line I saw him. The cameraman. I did all could to occupy myself and hide my face while in the line of fire. I must not have done enough. Apparently my greasy not-yet washed and make-upless face along with my nasty ponytail was irrisistable for a freaking closeup on the nightly news. Yikes!
Ah well, paparazzi notwithstanding, I sure felt great after voting. I absolutely LOVE this country!! And for the record I am trying to be optimistic about our new pres-elect. After all, it would be hard for it to get any worse, right??
During that brief 5 minutes I noticed a certain newsman sitting very importantly at a table taking notes presumably about us awesome early voters. Thanks to the man behind me striking up a conversation with him I learned that the newsman was Chris Vanokur with ABC 4 news.
No big deal.
As I rounded the corner of the line I saw him. The cameraman. I did all could to occupy myself and hide my face while in the line of fire. I must not have done enough. Apparently my greasy not-yet washed and make-upless face along with my nasty ponytail was irrisistable for a freaking closeup on the nightly news. Yikes!
Ah well, paparazzi notwithstanding, I sure felt great after voting. I absolutely LOVE this country!! And for the record I am trying to be optimistic about our new pres-elect. After all, it would be hard for it to get any worse, right??
Summer Lovin'
Am I the only one mourning the end of the warm weather? The holidays are exciting to look forward to but I am so bummed about the long winter ahead of us. I suppose it could be worse when I think of family members who live in places that see much more snow and colder temps but every winter I seriously wonder why I (and all of my loved ones) can't just pack up and move to San Diego? Whose on board with me??
Here are some pics of our wonderful, although brief, Summer.
Here are some pics of our wonderful, although brief, Summer.
WHY BLOG?
I just did it. I am jumping headfirst into the blogging world. I searched the online thesaurus to find a clever name and I am now wondering if anyone will actually even want to read what I have to say!!!
For a long time I have wondered why people blog. To what purpose? Are they bored, are they showcasing their artistic or comedic talents, maybe they live far away from loved ones and want to stay in touch, maybe they want their voice to be heard. I don't know what motivates people to blog. I suppose everyone has their own reasons.
I decided to start a blog in an attempt to fill a void in my life that has been empty since I quit working. Amongst other things, work was a place to tell someone about the happenings of the night before. To tell someone about the bat that got stuck in your garage door or how you melted an Easter basket that your husband hid in the oven to surprise you.
Here is to hoping that someone, somewhere might actually care...
For a long time I have wondered why people blog. To what purpose? Are they bored, are they showcasing their artistic or comedic talents, maybe they live far away from loved ones and want to stay in touch, maybe they want their voice to be heard. I don't know what motivates people to blog. I suppose everyone has their own reasons.
I decided to start a blog in an attempt to fill a void in my life that has been empty since I quit working. Amongst other things, work was a place to tell someone about the happenings of the night before. To tell someone about the bat that got stuck in your garage door or how you melted an Easter basket that your husband hid in the oven to surprise you.
Here is to hoping that someone, somewhere might actually care...
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