Two-A-Day

In college, two-a-day meant two workouts (on the crew team).

Today, you get two posts. And two pictures. Enjoy!

Green Shirt

I'm wearing a green shirt today. Admittedly, it shows off a little more of my bust than I typically prefer. So at lunch today, I shouldn't be too surprised that someone noticed, eh?

I walked past the gas station, and 3 guys were standing out front. One approached me, and said, "Do you know where the Six Forks Police Station is?" (BTW - not what I recommend for a pickup line).

So I responded, "I'm not sure but I see ambulances and such pulling out from up the road this way." I was on foot.

"Are you going that way? Can I join you?"

A little weird - - so I grabbed my purse a little tighter (we're still on a busy road, so I'm not sure why I was nervous), and said, "Sure." And the conversation continued.

"My name is Max, what is your name?"

"Rebecca," I responded tertly. In retrospect- I could have responded anything. Linda, Samantha, Martha, Elanor - - for a few moments in time, I could have been anyone in the world. Stupid me, perhaps, to use my "real" first name.

"So, do you live around here?"

"I work in that building."

"Are you married?"

"Yes"

And I was getting curious, so I had to ask, "Why are you looking for the Police Station?"

"I'm trying to get my panhandling license."

Next, he said, "Oh, well I have a Sprint phone, so I'm going to head to the Sprint store.." (which was located a few yards down the hill from where we were passing by).

A few strides later, I had to turn down the same hill to make my way across the parking lot to the Subway. He did, in fact, go into the sprint store.

The "analyst" in me is spending too much time over-analyzing the entire situation. Do I need to know where the police station is? Was he looking for trouble, and assuming that if I knew where the police station was I knew how to make trouble? Was "where is the police station?" an attempted "pick-up" line? I may never know the answer to these questions, but it is a bit interesting to think about these things.

As I was crossing the parking lot (all in the span of less than 2 minutes), another person stopped me - this time, a woman in a car.

"Excuse me," the driver said, "Do you know where Suzi's is?"

"Sorry ma'am, I have no idea."

"Is North Hills around here?"

"It's down the road about 3 miles."

"It's in a little area, next to an Italian restaurant. Are there any other strip malls close by?"

"The only one I can think of is down the road the other direction...," I responded, and she drove away.

Weird.

As I'm paying in the subway line, and Max and friends appear to be in line behind me.

Forgive me if I'm a little jumpy this afternoon at work.

Today: I am thankful to be back in my office.

Choir Practice...

One of my favorite family times is what we call, "Choir Practice." It's when we go all-out-silly, and get the dogs to join us in their version of howling. Now that Kiddo has become a chatterbox, he typically joins in with his own version of noise - whatever that is for the day!

Today, it was laughing at Katie-girl.

Now, if only I could get the "off" button... the dogs are still wining and making noise, this time to go outside!

Today: I am thankful for the innocence of a baby's laugh!

Kiddo's first...

... wave. Hello. goodbye. Moving his hand to mimic mine. It was kind of fun. And we wrote it in the baby book!

Otherwise, today we had to take away the bond book and gave him the physics text instead. Picture soon to follow! He's doing lots better sitting up!

Today: I am thankful that I don't have a wild life.

Woodpecker

In Steamboat Springs, we saw a house that had several patches. The Neighbor (who rode with us on the shuttle to the airport) told us that they put up the woodpecker house to hopefully decrease the number of holes.

On weekends, we have a woodpecker that we can sometimes hear- but we have never seen. Someone said that the woodpecker is a member of the hummingbird family.

And each time I hear the woodpecker, I think:

How much would could a woodpecker peck, if a woodpecker could peck wood?

A woodpecker would peck as much wood as he could peck, if a woodpecker could peck wood.

Today: I am thankful for wildlife.

Oddities in a day...

A smart person once said, "simple minds are amused easily."

This has always been a phrase that describes me!

And if you look.. Just a little... you can think of something unusual nearly every day.

Today - there was a picture of a cake I saw. There's a website that evidently specializes in these unusual cakes. I don't know if it was the naked mohawk babies on carrots or the cake with the words written, "Leave Blank" that made me laugh the hardest.

And then, there was running into (and sitting at a table next to) the doctor that circumsized my son. I turned to my lunch date, and whispered, "That's the doctor that castrated my son!" Oops.

Although I'm not political, generally, I do feel the need to mention the 2396 page health care bill. I'm not making that number up. The fact that it takes 2396 pages to make a change is in my book - a little on the peculiar side.

There's the 85 and 87 year old sisters fighting in court for a $500,000 lottery ticket.

This week at a fast food restaurant, I saw a little person -- who you could only tell was a little person because she was the size of an infant (her feet were smaller than Mark's) but she had a normal size head, was speaking relatively plainly, and was there with her mom and dad. Odd.

Enjoy whatever oddities you run into today - - and if you don't run into something, it won't take long searching for you to find something!

Today: I am thankful for things that make you go, "Hmm."

Weather

As the weather gets warmer and warmer, it will be harder and harder to post snow pictures!

Last night, "bug" and I were on the back porch. He fell asleep on the swing as I studied - - and then held me to studying as he napped a long time!

It's a little wierd for him to nap when he gets home from daycare, but that is his current routine. I like it because I still get a little bit of my after-work quiet time I was used to!

Today: I am thankful for baby's naptime, and almost finishing round-1 with studying. Cross your fingers that I finish tonight!

Eatery Wars

Yesterday, we went to two different eateriess. I haven't been to many since I've been focusing on studying - except for lunch. Then today for lunch I went to a third for lunch.

Anyhow: I don't recommend Fraetello's in Brier Creek. I do recommend Tribecca Tavern at High House and Davis. And Coquette's was OK.

So if you're looking for a Raleigh-area eatery... There's my recommendation for the day!

We went out last night because I forgot my study material. I've got it today, so I'm going to go grab it while baby is taking his evening nap!

Today: I am thankful that you can go out and not have to cook once in a while!

This would have been R wars, except I can't ever spell the R word correctly. So eatery it is!

Doggie Heaven

Tonight, for some reason, I am thinking of one of my dear friends. Or, perhaps more accurately, one of Kobe's dearest friends.

The picture today is of a girl-dog named Abby. She was one of the most mild-mannered, well behaved German Shepherds I have ever encountered. Although she didn't get along with all dogs, she loved to play - and she was very loved. I knew her most of her adult life, and Kobe spent countless hours with her at agility trials and training classes. Over time, she and Kobe allowed me to become friends with her owner, an amazing and strong woman. Abby is one of Kobe's playmates that have joined doggie heaven in the last year or so, and it makes me sad to realize that life - - even (and maybe especially) a dog's life - - is so very precious, and so very limited. "Abs" is a very special girl, and I will never forget her jaw strength (if she doesn't drop the toy for you to throw, there is no sense in trying to take it out of her mouth - YOU WILL LOSE). I will always remember her wet nose, her swimming in the pool, and her pleasant demeanor. More importantly, and perhaps more lasting, I will remember how she enabled me to make a lasting friend in her owner. Rest in Peace, dear Abby!

Okay, end of seriousness for a moment - I like silliness better.

After eating some yummy creme brulee for dessert, we began talking about dessert for the baby.

"Maybe if you shake your boobs really fast, the milk will come out as whipped cream!"

Today: I am thankful for friendship - - particularly those friends who share a passion for dogs. I am also thankful to have known, and considered among my four-legged friends, Minx and Cassie and Mako, Abby's renewed playmates in doggie heaven!

Mama's Big Boy

I've waited several months, but my big boy is finally *starting* to be more fun!

In addition to being able to situp (even if for only a few seconds at a time), he's been making all kinds of obnoxious noises - mostly grunting and growling!

With eating, he's discovered it's almost as fun to spit the food out as it is to swallow!

Yep, there are many joys of parenthood. These, my friends, are but a few.

Today: I am thankful for being able to capture a picture of kiddo's progress!

π day (3.14159...)

This pictures captures the essence of me in many ways.

The mathematical symbol is a start to the silliness. Dressing the whole family alike (including socks for the baby), taking pictures (because it's required), and the pi/cake shirt from woot - yep, definitely a visual image that captures just a few of my favorite things.

Today: I am thankful for pie. The kind you eat. I heart me some pie of any flavor! I am also thankful that my dear hubby both shares the love for math, and indulges my silliness once in a while. (For the record- kiddo's socks have the equation "Genius = QTπ" )

Quick Post

It's fun to add a few pictures now and again. :)

Did you hear that? Must be the laundry, calling my name. I had on a cute white sweater, but baby decided that we both needed to change clothes with his last diaper.

Today's new food for baby: Sweet Potatoes. Mixed in with rice cereal. He's starting to eat a little better, but still doesn't quite get it. At least today, the bib managed to only get a small speck of food on it.

I can't imagine having to launder dirty bibs every day, so he'll have to wear that same bib the next time he eats. Is that gross? It's life at our house.

Today: I am thankful that baby seems to be learning to eat, and is doing better. Perhaps one day, I can report on a clean bib!

And now...

We have a child addicted to a pacifier. Won't go to bed without it. He also has been on a weird feeding schedule lately - and my chest hasn't figured that out.

Anyhow - enjoy another pic for the day!

Today: I am thankful to have finished a paper. Only a few more to go for "first pass"!

Trip

In a picture, this describes my skiing trip. Well, that or just a picture of the boots!

For me - five pairs of boots later - skiing was pretty much a bust, and I wound up staying in the Condo most of the time (minus a meal on the top of the mountain and an hour of shopping).

Luckily, the hubby had fun!

The "teen" days of March are filled with mini-holidays, making a whole holiday week!

3/13 - Brother's birthday (can't believe he is 30!)
3/14 - Pi Day (3.14159...)
3/15 - Ides of March
3/16 - Seth's birthday (and Mark turned 5 months!)
3/17 - St Patrick's Day

It's now 3/18, and I'm glad to be home. Dogs are home. Baby home. Hubby home.

Going to go study - - since I'm behind!

Today: It's good to be home!

Bags are Packed!

Our bags are packed, and we're headed out of town! Skiing with the family is where we'll be for the next few days, and my favorite distraction (yep, my laptop) is staying at home. So - no updates for a few days! But hopefully plenty of stories and pictures upon my return!

The missing tigger hat? Found in the place we usually keep bottles.

The missing outfit we purchased specifically for St Patrick's day (and spring)? Not found. Done worrying about it.

We've got our stuff for Pi Day. I have DH's birthday present.

We agreed to take the carrier. Stroller is already in the car. What are we missing? Something, I'm sure. Isn't that the way trips go?

Luckily - also missing for today - is the anxiety of the last week. It's turned to pure excitement!

The study material is packed. The diapers are ready to go.

It's off to bed for me, and an early wakeup call (yeesh!)

So-long, farewell!

Today: I am thankful that our long awaited vacation has arrived! And to think- this was planned before we knew we'd be bringing a kiddo along!

Words in a Day...

For some reason, I've decided that I should come up with a list of words that describe my day. That way, you can see that I am random - - but not nearly so scattered as the many words would suggest.

Escalator vs Elevator
Silence
Oatmeal
Troll
Architect
raise
Black Van
Laser
Ack
Cash for Gold
Chatterbox
cookies
florist
charger
diapers
long johns
PB&J on panini
Mitigation
jambalaya
construction
3 little pigs
Thank you
exceeds
rain
English Major
Pop Tarts

As I am writing these words, it occurs to me that some of them will have way different meanings than the original meaning perhaps presumed. Such as florist. I added this because I responded to an inquiry from Florist (something) Insurance Company - - which has nothing to do with flowers! In some way, these are all words I connected with today, somehow!

Today: I am thankful for language!

Anxiety!

Why is it that the week before vacation is so hard?

Anxiety is high. Lots to do.

So - - - Washer is loaded. Kiddo is in bed. And I have another hour to study before I go to bed.

I guess I better get to it!

Today: I am thankful that although I'll have to bring study materials on vacation, I won't be alone in having to study!

Nursing

This post will be about nursing - - so - - as a warning/caveat- - if it grosses you out (as it once did me), skip reading this post. If you're intrigued on what will come from my brain next, read on!

I saw two news stories today on (human) breastmilk. I also finally decided to add breastmilk to baby's rice cereal today, which seemed to go a little better. Anyhow... I've decided that these are definitely some breast milk DON'Ts. All are quoted directly from the internet; 1 and 2 are very recent headline news.

1. Oh, mama! Restaurateur Daniel Angerer had a surplus of his wife’s breast milk, so he whipped up a cheese made from it and put it on his menu. “Being a chef, you’re curious about anything in terms of flavor,” he explained. But some are saying: “Eww.”

2. A woman in jail for public intoxication was accused of assaulting a jailer by squirting breast milk at her. WYMT-TV reported that a 31-year-old woman was arrested Thursday on a misdemeanor charge of public intoxication. But as she was changing into an inmate uniform, she squirted breast milk into the face of a female deputy who was with her.

3. She said, "The dog was hungry." So, what do you? Naturally, you whip one out - and breast feed the dog???

4. If you have an exclusively-breastfed baby or just want a solid food that will provide all the nutrition of breastmilk, plus the many benefits of active cultures, breastmilk yogurt might be an ideal food for your child. Breastmilk yogurt is easy to make at home, tastes great, and packs a nutritious punch for babies and toddlers of all ages.

5. Kourtney Kardashian is breast feeding baby Mason, and since her family is hearing all about it, so are we. "Wow my sister has changed. She used to whip her boobs out for no reason. Now she does it to feed her child," Khloe tweeted Thursday morning. And apparently, to feed herself.


While on the topic of headline news, this is totally unrelated but made me scratch my head a time or two....

Shark attacks in the U.S. fell sharply in 2009, according to a report released Monday, and the scientist behind the data thinks the reason could have been the weak economy.


Today: I am thankful for entertaining (?) news stories.

Camera...

Here's a sample of what we can do with our new camera! It's the red carpet, rolled out for the baby's first Oscar party!

Actually, it was left over from a move- - and it was fun to pull it out just because, for the party!

Less than a week for skiing! And definitely need to do some more studying before then....

Anyhow..

Today: I'm thankful for squeaky toys. They make the dogs awfully happy!

Party, Jones...

One of the best parts of having a party is that we clean house. And when I say clean house, I mean I think I must have spent 3 hours in the Kitchen (meanwhile, DH was cleaning all the other rooms!)

Anyhow.. Oscar Night has arrived! Even though I didn't watch but maybe one or two of the movies this year, it's a good reason (in my world) to have a party. And to order a fruit bouquet. And to give out prizes. Yay!

In other news, we got a camera today - - so look forward to some new pictures soon! We are the last of the technology-Savvy family to get a DSLR camera - and we are looking forward to taking baby pictures with it, as well as taking pictures on our trip in less than a week now to go skiing!

Back to watching some red carpet stuff for me... Hmm... Maybe I can break out my study stuff and get another hour in before the party starts! Or maybe I'll break out the new toy to play with instead...

Today: I am thankful for a clean house!

Not so late...

It's a Saturday night, around 8:30. Kiddo just went to bed. I studied, ran, and grocery shopped today. And I'm beat - dead tired.

Can I go to bed now?

Today: I am thankful for my sleep.

Late..

It's late, and I'm headed to bed.

I just typed about two more sentences, and it is in the land of wherever things go when you type them and they never show up. Is that keyboard heaven?

Anyhow - -

I barely managed to get a post in today, and it's lame, at that!
Today: I am thankful for red meat. I love me a good burger!

Two legs and Four

On the topic of two legs, attached is a picture of Mark's birthmark/freckle on his thigh! Isn't it precious?!

And a random thought/question... Rhetorical, really...

If I were skinny, would the baby be drinking and/or getting Skim Milk instead of the full-fat variety?

And moving on to the topics of four legs today...



Yes, that is the dead rodent our four-legged brought to our back porch for us. Pathetic, eh?

And your random Animal question for the day:
Are animals, such as the Whale that killed the Seaworld Trainer, innocent until proven guilty?

Today: I am thankful that DH threw the rat away.

Busy week!

This week has been a bit busy, but I still managed to watch some of the bachelor, study some, and go to a few meetings here and there.

This morning, we got a "gift" from the dogs. They want us to be proud. It's ... drumroll... a dead rodent. Then another trip to the vet with Big K who had something stuck in his paw (and was licking, so now needs antibiotic).

Got the itinerary/tickets for our big family ski trip from my sister-in-law. Party at our place on Sunday evening for Academy awards.

What am I missing? I know there is something. I guess it's back to studying, though.

Today: I am thankful that I can typically multi-task fairly well. I guess that largely comes from handling/managing so much when I was in college! Whew!

Spitup in my Hair...

Today: I am thankful for spitup in my hair!

I was away from Kiddo for the longest time thus far- including my DH picking him up from daycare this evening. It didn't really hit me, until I was on my way home... and about 2 blocks from home, I kept thinking all of these bad things! For example, what if I missed his bedtime? What if he had a rotten day and was fussy and I wore DH out? What if DH forgot to pick him up for daycare?

Alas, everything was well. He was relatively content when I got home, and had an overall good day! He was hungry (which was good for me!) and I got to put him to bed according to his typical routine, even though it was about an hour later than it sometimes is. Whew.

I'm definitely not quite ready to travel without him! Hopefully those momentary panic moments eventually lessen some - - although I guess that comes with the"mom" territory.

So, even with some massive spitup in my hair, I was glad that Kiddo had a good day.

Nothin'...

I feel like I've got nothin' to blog about today, even though I've had several thoughts off and on.

Ugh.

Tomorrow is another crazy day. For the first time, I won't be picking kiddo up from daycare- that will be daddy's job!

Back to watching the Bachelor, I guess.

Today: I'm thankful for pretty people on TV. Or something like that.