Even Vadar is no match...

for the Munchkin. How many times will you see the big guy sing "Twinkle Twinkle, little star"? I ask you, really?

Go NAVY! Good game boys! Even with the refs working for the other side. I must tell you, though, the first half was almost downright boring! Munchkin wore her Go Navy tutu, of course...but just wasn't in the mood so we took it off. At least I didn't make this one from scratch! It only took about 15 minutes to sew all the ribbons on so no harm done. And who couldn't use another tutu, right?

And in other news...the yoga program looks like it will work out after all. I spoke with my contact (who thank you Lord is a military wife herself!) and they are working it out to open the daycare in the mornings for the yoga students!!! I am so psyched. And since Master Adam has a revolving door policy on how long you can take to complete the program, it is no problem if I need to take a break to go home for a couple of weeks and take off. She said if I can work it out with an instructor there, he may even count any practice hours done in GA toward my requirement. How awesome is this?



We head off to GA tomorrow. I am so excited. It's almost like TOMORROW is Christmas to me (other than nothing is wrapped and will pretty much all be done there). The luggage and gifts are prestaged, food and snacks for Munchkin and Boo are already in the car. I have my clothes laid out and she's travelling in her jammies. AND the house is clean. What else must I do, my work here is about done.

Any takers on whether I REALLY get out of here before 7am?

Plastic surgeon visit today

Went well, we talked options again. We got more in depth on the two options up for consideration. He is looking into my main question, wondering if there is a type of counselor that deals specifically with health issues (I've been told there is but that she is referral only).

We're looking at February timeframe, but I haven't made the final decision on which option I'm taking. He said he is perfectly ok booking me a surgical suite when the month opens up and then if I haven't made a decision that I am fully comfortable with, he is perfectly ok with rescheduling constantly until I do. I think I love him. I had to know if his recommendation last time was based on just pure medical..."well this is easier and more likely to work so do this"

He understands my concerns, and he really was impressed with how much thought I've put into each option...as well as how many specific and in-depth questions I had about the functioning of each. He is contacting a few of his prior patients to ask them if it is ok for him to give me their email/phone numbers so that I can get a more true-to-life view of each one. He said of the muscle/nerve graft (the harder one, that I am leaning toward) he has done 10. Of that number he says half are at a "4" in function (5 is highest and not even remotely likely) and of the others that he didn't feel came out as well...the patients were still happy with the results. And he did mention that a good number of his patients had been combat victims, results of serious traumatic injuries and even bombings (puts it all in perspective, doesn't it?).

This is from my dinner date with my friend's husband the other night. Munchkin just LOVED Adam, and was putting her "warm up" period aside. Annie, dear, try not to feel irritated that he flew from coast to coast to have dinner with me...oh yeah, and to work too. Love ya both, and the kiddos.

Santa visits Bass Pro

I wonder if my little Munchkin realizes that she will probably get some coal from Santa for preferring the fish to him. She's at that "freak out at the big jolly man" stage. Always fun. She apparently got her Daddy's genes for peppermint (I'm not a fan) and fishing.

Santa's got nothin' on a largemouth that probably outweighed my kid.

Holy moly! There are fish bigger than Boo!

sometimes you can't combine favorites.

Ahhhh, sweet child, reading in the tub should not be attempted until at LEAST age 5.

Should I build an ark?

This is the wettest weather ever! Another storm last night blew through; at this rate the ground will dry out about June-ish. You sink if you stand on the yard at all. It was sunny today, and nicely warm too but not enough to dry the ground.

Tomorrow I drop off my Jeep for its buttwarmer work. I am hoping it won't lead to other work as well, but you know car dealers. And since this one has over 165k miles on it...they are chomping at the bit to sell us another one. You should see their mouths water when the 1998 with 224k miles on it comes in!

We did another trial class today, and I had hoped to like this gym better than the farther away one we went to day before yesterday. But truthfully I just didn't. Luckily I've found another one to try that is even closer so hopefully this one will be JUST right. I'm in my own Three Bears story just with baby gyms.

We're getting really excited for Christmas around here, I'm getting thrilled just thinking about Munchkin getting all the presents I've heard about. She is going to go crazy! I'm still arguing with the computer and trying to figure out how to upload MP4 files...so we're still waiting on that video.

I apparently should have taken stock in the baby gym market...there are a TON of options!

If I climb up the back of the couch/onto the kitchen table/into the cabinets/over the back of the chair...it's just like being in baby gym! Wonder why Mom seems so mad?

An ending, a recall, and a good day

I have been seeing a counselor to talk me through the facial reconstruction and some emotional baggage I had apparently been holding onto. Our sessions are at an end, now that there is a new surgery on the table he recommends that I have my plastic surgeon refer me to someone who can specifically deal with reconstructive issues. So no more of my Ed :( I have to say, it's nice to know that while he helped me with some things, I also helped him as well. His daughter had a brain injury and subsequent infection that paralyzed her face...Lordy do I know that road. So he said even in talking with me that he was able to let go of a lot of things HE didn't knwo he was holding onto. Always nice to know when you've touched someone...so I made my appointment with my plastic surgeon to re-discuss the surgeries and get the referral to the health counseling specialist (I think that's her title).

Got notification last night that my FAVORITE feature of my Jeep has been recalled, my beloved butt warmers. So now I can't use them until they are fixed, bummer. I love, though, how the recall card says it should take 2 hours max and the dealer says at least FOUR. Apparently they have to remove the seats from the car, then remove the covers, then fix the problem and put everything back. Lovely. But it WILL be done before the weather gets any colder. I can't drive around with a cold butt.

As soon as I find my little camera, I'm inputting a video that shows why I have fewer pictures of Munchkin lately. She is obsessed with cameras. The second a flash goes off or she sees one power up she runs to you and says "See, see, see" and will NOT be dissuaded until she sees the pictures or video. It's cute, but then she is ALWAYS cute. She has been trying to put her socks on top of her shoes today and irritating the crap out of herself with it.

Just throwing in an additional picture...one of Munchkin, Daddy, and the person Daddy spends most of his time with...

I have enjoyed learning that I helped the helper.

Oh! The socks go on FIRST. That makes more sense then.

No humans were harmed in the lighting of the tree

Tree up, lights on, we'll see if it survives the inspection when Jason gets home tomorrow (doubt it will, one of the downfalls of living with an engineer). Get it done, if he wants to change it more power to him, but at least it's done and that's what I want. One trip through my Harry Connick, Jr. Christmas CD down. A little more Christmas shopping done and a trip to the park. It's been a busy day.

I had so many things on my mind that I wanted to add in here today, and they have all flown right out of my head. And they were good too, just so all of you know, I may have forgotten some of my best material ever.

Nice catching up with a friend over text last night. I NEVER call a new mom or about-to-have-a-baby mom to be if I can help it. They might feel like chatting but not getting wrapped into a conversation and I can appreciate that. Lovely to talk to Meg all the same though, out of everyone I knew that I left behind in RI, I miss her most. Annie, if you get mad at that, remember that YOU left ME in RI, dearheart!

I'm still wading through my options with my yoga training. Luckily, the funding has been approved so all I have to do is find a way to make it work for me. Or start the approval process over (which wouldn't be too big a deal). We know we aren't moving next year so no big deal if I don't start right in January. If I have to change the education plan then maybe I'll just get to do my massage stuff first is all. I'm ok with that. I will meet with the education contact at the studio this week, probably Friday, to try and hash all this out.

I'm also still chomping at the bit to get my hands on my new niece, can't wait to see her. I want the time to fly, but I also need the time to get things done. What a conundrum-filled world we live in.

Apparently, sharks love to eat pinecones. Who would have guessed, since they have access to NO pine trees. I listened to a fascinating dissertation on the subject from an adorable little 5 year old (I'm guessing) at the park. She had Munchkin's FULL attention during this lecture. It always awes me the absolute seriousness and sincerity (is that the same thing?) that children can put into their stories. When do we lose that full belief in what we say...even when it makes no sense?

Figured out the sway/plank bridge at the park. If I sit in the middle, I can bounce when mommy has to come out and get me. That's fun. Repeat as needed.

Haircuts and Holiday beginnings

Munchkin had her first haircut the other day, at a place called Pigtails and Crewcuts and we had a ball! She chose her own "chair" and sat in a police car (hey, as long as it's the front seat...), they gave her animal crackers to eat, and she watched Cars while her hair was cut. I will absolutely take her there again. Getting the back of it even cut a little more into the curls than I wanted but they'll grow back. And she picked out her own bow.

And this is her sneaking up on me before her bath. What a little whackadoo I have on my hands!

Thanksgiving was fun. Nana hosted this year, so I was worn out by dinner just keeping Munchkin from breaking anything. Why is it Murphy's Law that any kid is going to be drawn to ANYTHING breakable? My apologies to Nana, I had to rearrange her living room, and I'm not sure I got it all put back. But Lordy, do I LOVE me some turkey and dressing and all that jazz!!

Munchkin and Mom tried out the Black Friday shopping a tad today, but since we aren't in the market for anything that consumerism has deemed the "it" things to have this year...nothing I need is on sale (define need?). I did buy a dress that could work equally for any holiday parties or also for any spring/summer weddings and how many dresses in the world can do that? It was on sale for BF so that was my one buy today.

Never having a need to know this before, Toys R Us is CRAZY on Black Friday. I've never seen it before, and I went at like 10:30. Had I purchased anything, I might have been in line until about 1pm. They had it all over the store!!!

I don't get venturing into a store FILLED with toys, and not playing with or taking any of them home. What gives?

Under M for Muppet

Normally I'm the "Respect the turkey, no Christmas before Thanksgiving" but Jas will be at work the day after when I normally start all the Christmas movies. So we started it last night and Munchkin enjoyed it, she likes all the songs. I did have to watch the "Emmett Otter's Jugband Christmas" which I think Jas and Kat have the only two copies in existence. I had never heard of it before meeting Jason. Anyway, he couldn't find it, flipped all the way through and took all the DVD's out...wasn't there.

Then I looked and found it right where I thought it would be. Under M. "WHY the heck did you put it there?" Because if I'm looking for muppet movies it's likely I'd want them to be all together. He didn't agree.

And yes, I am that chick who alphabetizes her DVD's.

A quick addition.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the frazier fir scented candles from Thymes. They are awesome. Just enough fragrance and not too overpowering. Love them. Munchkin, however figured something out for me.

I'm in the office (where the candle is not). You can smell it even when it isn't burning if you are in the room. All of a sudden it was very Christmas-y smelling in here! I looked at her and smelled her hands. ALL Frazier Fir.

I ran in to the bedroom. The candle is gone. I patted the dresser where it had been and said "Munchkin, where is the candle? The one that was here?". I am worried to death she has eaten it. She leads me right to it. Where she's placed it in HER room. And discovered that it's a soft candle. I have rescued it, but it now has two Munchkin finger holes inside it.

It's been a LOOONNNNG week

It's just been the girls (and Boo) this week. And I have taken the time to do a little Christmas shopping, yes, but mostly to CLEAN the house top to bottom. And I mean not straighten. I mean take everything out of each room that doesn't belong there and put it in the room it belongs in. I mean make all the rooms organized now that they have all of their things back (some they didn't know they'd lost because they were STILL in moving boxes).

A little aside, here, but when you are a military family I challenge you to have not ONE single box that either hasn't been packed from the last move or is already packed for the next one. I don't know if anyone can do it but I'd sure like to know how!

Munchkin treated me to another water trail in the kitchen and den. Still no idea what the purpose is but I hope to catch her one day. She is about to embark on a Goodwill trip with me to donate a lot of items I uncovered that I no longer need or want. Some warm clothes that no longer fit that I know someone can use as the days get shorter and colder.

Some surprises around the house:
Our home is apparently where spiders go to die. Who knew?

We own about 15 decks of cards and 4 cribbage sets. Wow.

I'm NOT a medium anymore. It's time to face facts, at least for now.

Jason has spent a small fortune on uniform items...a lot of which I'm pretty sure he already has because I have created a box FULL of ribbons, medals, "chest candy" boards and such.

Our room is SO much more peaceful without all the crap in it!

Jason's clothing CAN all fit into either the closet or dressers. Mine does.

Library more. Barnes and Noble less.

Wow, I can actually breathe in this house now. Amazing. I hope it all stays where it's put.

I know how to get those fantastic little fuzzies in my hair! All I have to do is dump out the hair thingy holder (with about a million small thingys in it). Pick ONLY 2 out and bring them to mommy and say "hair". Voila! I have what Mommy calls "pony tails". I must say they are the cutest.

My new neice is on her way!!!

Baby-in-waiting is on her way to the world today! I got the call from Nate earlier this morning...and we need to coach him on calling with GOOD news. Love you, man, realize you were probably up all night...but try either prefacing with "we're all ok" or just blurt out the good news...you had me scared something had gone wrong! So our family's newest little girl is appearing today, on her Granddaddy's birthday no less.

The waters have receeded in the area, and people are taking stock. For a non-hurricane this nor'easter packed a wallop! Housebound for 5 days, Nana and Papou lost power so they came over...in what I always intended which was a storm shelter run by family! It's why I mandated not having a home closer to family...so there would be a port in any storm to go to. We had a good time and Jason cooked a great dinner. Sometimes easy comfortfood is best.

In my mundane to do list of today, it is really awe inspiring to think that while I go through the monotony of another day, my sister's life is being changed right now as I write. Just an amazing thing.

Storms are NO FUN...if I didn't have a birthday party to go to today, I'd probably be REALLY ticked off! As it is, I get to see my "Jackit" today.

Rainy days and Lush baths

I almost NEVER get to take baths anymore, so I never get to enjoy my bath bombs that are a recent love from LUSH. I used the bumblebee looking one today...only gripe is that it can stain the tub...but it smelled and felt heavenly...my skin feels great too. Bonus, no sound in the house but the rain splattering the windows. Everyone is asleep and I'm loving it. Wonder how long it will last?

Happy Veterans Day and Thank you to all who are honored by this great day. MunchkinDad is celebrating with a nap on the floor in a fluffy blankey (he HATES rain).

I need to MAKE time to take baths more often...at least once a week even if it has to be late at night.

Kind of a groggy day, I am not in the mood for any new tricks, just an early nap.

Sometimes you just wonder...

...what in the world they are up to. Munchkin is a water baby. If there is any open body of water or container of it (save the toilet, thank you, God) she MUST be into it or fight like heck trying. She is obsessed with the dog's bowl (Nelson, or Boo, to those who don't know). The past few weeks, whenever I run upstairs really quick to change over laundry or get something she or I need, I return to the sound of the bowl being dropped back in its holder, and a look of pure innocence on her face. Nevermind that the Great Lakes are now on my kitchen floor and there is a telltale trail of large water spills into the family room. But to this day I have NO idea why she takes it in there. Same path every time. One of these days, hopefully my curiosity will be appeased. The curious part of me hopes I catch her before she gives up the behavior because I really do NEED to know.

Munchkin also gained AGAIN today at the doctor so they are backing off. How wonderful a feeling that is. We celebrated by visiting her Nana and Papou, watching "Pinkerdoh", and having girls' night in in my king sized bed (MunchkinDad had to work). Just me, Munchkin, and bunny...and Boo too but he prefers the foot of the bed. I love that clean baby out of the bath smell!

I never realized I'd be this obsessed with my daughter's weight at less than 2 years old. Lordy help us.

Mom seemed really happy today. And I didn't get poked or prodded at the doctor's office. Weird, but I am liking that kind of weird.

Some days, one tutu just isn't enough!

Munchkin cracks me up lots of days...like when she keeps saying "tutu" and bringing me more of them to put on. She will not be deterred...she WILL wear all of them and no hiding of the tutu's is allowed by Mom. I think I've created a monster!

Not much going on today, just re-learning how expensive it is to reinstate or apply for professional licenses...and knowing how expensive it will continue to be unless they extend the purpose of the Spousal Relief Act.

Good day, got to play, Daddy left for work late so I actually got to see him this morning...what a treat!

Belated birthday

To me. I will be able to add clearer videos from here on after since MunchkinDad bought me a new camera! File it under the heading of things I didn't know I wanted that I really want I guess. And it's eggplant purple which for some reason seems to be one of my favorite colors this year (I swear mentally I'm some kind of designer).

No word on orders, but we hadn't expected any just yet. That info will be coming within the month I think.

A purple pocket video recorder that also does still and is only slightly bigger than my cell phone? How did I not know how much I needed this thing?

Flu medicine is awful. Makes me sleepy. I have fallen asleep to Pinkerdoh TWICE today.

Pinkerdoh

At our house, this means TinkerBell and she has replaced a certain furry red monster as Head Honcho (should it be Honchess) of all characters. I haven't watched Elmo for days, which is wonderful, fabulous and indescribable.

Disney needs to get on the stick making more TinkerBell movies, we already have the 2 that are out now.

Who would have thought there could be someone more fascinating than Elmo?

Halloween pics

It was a great time. MunchkinDad had duty so we went to see him at work so he could see her all dressed up. It's hard to anyway, but you just can't get enough of her all ballerina-fied. She is still obsessed with the cat.

Munchkin is ever the polite guest, she seems to feel that it is unseemly to just accept treats from people without coming in and visiting awhile. She actually managed to get around the door and into two housees. She also has the energy of the Energizer bunny and was still running circles around her mommy after about 2 hours!

Candy? Just for being cute? This rocks, why the heck don't we do this every day?

Developing old film

In this digital age, I gotta say I still love the thrill of film. Obviously, for financial reasons and such I dont' use it often...but the thrill of turning over the film and waiting and then that reveal of "did I get the shot?" And then the added fun of if you waited so long you can barely remember what's on the roll.

I just got three rolls of our Greece trip...OMG going on 3 years ago...developed. A lot of them are the "artsy-fartsy" type like angled shots of churches and ruins and such which I LOVE in black and white but others may not be as fascinated by. And snapshots of Jas because he was manning the digital camera while I (in my insane fussiness) manned 2 camera bodies and one lens...one held black and white film and one in color because it never fails I always want a shot of one type when I have the other stocked in camera. Yet another reason why digital rules now!

Just the weekly run through the medical mill around here for Munchkin and Mom. As of today, Munchkin's weight was FINALLY up...she gained 0.21 kg which is just shy of half a pound I believe. I've gotten the doc to back off of putting her in the EFM program (Exceptional Family Member...affects orders) until at least next time. So it looks like I'll be up in the wee hours for awhile yet.

We've learned there is a 3rd option for facial reconstruction for me. It's amazing the things you stumble on. After wanting nothing more than to smile for 8 years now...now I'm getting all picky about how it happens. Can I deal with an (easier, more likely successful) surgery that I'll have to grit my teeth to smile? Or do I stick it out for the more natural functioning (but 3 surgeries and no way of knowing how it will all work out) surgery we had already planned to do? Oy, sometimes having a choice just sucks, but I'm glad I can take my time deciding.

BBQ sauce on everything still rocks. I wish mom would leave Elmo alone and stop making him freeze so I'd eat. I'm giving in more often than not, though, I want to see my show darnit! And you know, Dr. Short's not ALL bad. He didn't poke or prod me at all today.

Egg and barbecue sauce...YUMMY

Not exactly the taste treat anyone would ever have picked. In fact, really really really gross. I had to taste it to get the Munchkin going on breakfast for the past 3 days but it's working. I have a sauce baby. I was kind of aware of that before but she is coming unglued about the sauces lately. "Dip, dip, dip" is the mantra at our house.

We've also figured out she likes Polynesian sauce and white sausage gravy on her eggs as well. Um, the gravy I can kinda see, and I'm just glad she's eating. We tried the waking in the middle of the night for a warm formula bottle as well. She only took about an ounce or so, but it was enough to add some calories and also to keep her gut working so that her metabolism stayed higher and she actually ate better all day yesterday because of it. We'll see how it goes but I'm a bit more optomistic.

You can't always get what you want, and sometimes you find you can't get what you need, either.

BBQ sauce and eggs? How come no one thought of this before??!!

Cruddy rainy day

Not much to report here. Didn't start the middle of the night wakeup feeding last night, I was too tired. Will do tonight. Oh joy.

There IS a CPR course this weekend, hopefully they'll let me late register for it! I'm 2 weeks overdue. Crap.

These cookie things are good. Mom says they are "Pirouline" or something like that. I just call them yummy...when I can keep them away from the Boo.

"You have chocolate on your panties"

And that was the high point of the day.

Still no answers for Munchkin, and she lost again. We are referred to the pediatric GI specialist who also does in house nutrition. Someone wanna tell me why we weren't seeing him in the first place.

And I also found out today that my plastic surgeon deployed. So I am seeing a new one next week but I have no idea what his thoughts will be on doing the reconstruction. My original doc will not be back for possibly a year. Fabulous. Absolutely fabulous.

Mommy isn't letting these people with stethoscopes at me for just no reason anymore. I'm liking that. I might even eat for her today.

Random thoughts while driving

1. I have NO power over the "Hot Donuts now" sign. I don't think anyone in their right mind does.

2. It really irks the crap out of me when I am asked at a gas pump if I want a receipt, I hit yet, and THEN they tell me to go inside. Hey, jerk, if I wanted to come inside you think I'd have PAID YOU in there? So then boy wonder at the counter has my cc receipt. I hate that.

3. My life in dogs...Happy (though I don't remember him but in pictures), Skipper (wonder mutt!), Trooper (lab who thought he could walk on water if he moved fast enough), Buster (ate EVERYTHING...egg crates, drapes, coals popping out of the fireplace...), Raleigh (ADD doggie if ever there was one), and now Nelson (the Boo, my first baby).

4. If you have a Corvette, and you are being passed by 2 minivans, an SUV, and a tractor trailer truck, not only should you NOT be in the left lane...you do NOT deserve a cherry red Corvette. Please drop it, the keys, and the title off at my house.

5. I really want to host a gathering soon, I spent about an hour planning it out in my head.

6. Munchkin gets her champion sleeping skills from me. She slept 4.5 hours in the car!!! Then woke up singing to "Bankey".

7. Why did it just occur to me that the Ergo would save me when walking Nelson on car trips?

8. Zaxby's drink cups suck. They ALWAYS spill in the console. I keep a Chick Fil A cup handy to transfer. Annoying though, Zax should fix this.

9. It is really odd that for holidays you tell people what to get you. That is striking me as really odd lately. Registry for events is one thing...this seems to be another.

10. There should be more trick or treat for charity options.

11. I am 1300 miles overdue for an oil change. Oops.

15. I can drive more than 6 miles on "0 miles to empty". (No lectures from the peanut gallery, being behind the slowest car in the universe through a construction zone in a national park, just PRAYING to make it to an exit was punishment enough).

16. Why can I not avoid lottery signs when I dont' care, and why can I not find one when I'm curious if anyone won my money?

17. I am so thankful to be in driving distance of family again. REALLY thankful.

18. Elmo is either Swahili, Farsi, or pig latin for "lobotomy" it really must be.

19. People should be a LOT more careful about what they put on their vanity plates.

20. Whenever I see those "Loosest slots" signs for casinos, why is it always a crazy looking woman in the picture, never a man? I wonder if perhaps they are trying to convey another message?

Sometimes you don't realize how much you miss...

...those who have been important to you in the past. And you don't realize how much they are still close to your heart. Munchkin and I got to spend some time with Miss Liz today, it was their first meeting and I think both are in love. Phenomenal to be able to catch up, even the least little bit, and share the new paths that our lives have taken in the years since we last got a visit (which I believe was my wedding or shortly thereafter).

We hit the Pumpkin Festival today at Stone Mountain Park. Again, apologies Liz, I swear it used to be artsy crafty I really swear. I remember rows and rows of exhibit and sales stalls lined with hay bales in the field that is now a parking lot flanking what can only be called a mini amusement park. It did look like fun, really did, but just not the relaxed and bring-your-own-fun atmosphere I rememeber. Many changes for the park, first that discovery and then that the road for half the mountain drive is now one way so once you pass a certain point you ARE going all the way around to get back. That pissed me off a tad, but you swerve.

And we are very glad that MunchkinDad is home safe and getting some much needed rest this weekend while I still have the Munchkin and the Boo so he can have a quiet house. See you soon hon, love you.

Intoxicating and heavenly...and that was just the parking lot...

I cannot believe I grew up here and had never been to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Pictures will have to wait until next week...my dad's computer doesn't accept my 16G SD card but oh MAN are they awesome.

So I park the car, get out, and am instantly transported somewhere sweet, beautiful, and peaceful just from the aroma wafting away from the gardens. I don't know what it was, but I totally get why hummingbirds are so buzzed all the time. We go in, and I am in heaven. Munchkin was asleep for the first hour so that was fine by me I got to take my time looking. They have their Scarecrow exhibit on now and there are so many different ones all over the garden. Always something new to look at. I wandered the children's garden just to get an idea of what was there and where I should really get a grip on the Munchkin while she played.

We walked into the "Garden under Glass" exhibit...all rainforest/humidity type plants leading into the orchid house. I truly ADORE orchids. They are just so fragile and so perfectly crafted by the most loving hand ever. And so many kinds!! I took so many pictures that Munchkin woke up and her first thought was an excited "Ooooooooooh, wow!". I took about 350 pictures today. My shutterbuggin' self is tired!

She loved the children's garden. I am so glad I prechecked it because any water feature sings a special Siren's song to my little sweetie. She gets closer and closer and closer and she'd be in it up to her neck if I turned my back just once. Water, especially moving water, has a power that the girl just cannot ignore or resist. Like her mommy, I guess, but the self control of the overwhelming urge to pitch yourself in I guess comes later in life. Until then I will be shopping around for a pocket life jacket. Just in case.

We enjoyed ourselves so much, I joined the garden as a member. And I don't even live here (there are reciprocal benefits all over the nation, but I joined for ATL mostly, in 4 visits it pays for itself). And Munchkin enjoyed her romp so much I know we'll do this again.

OK PICTURES HERE WE ARE!!!!!!

Some of the scarecrows they had on exhibit (the one in the highchair reminds me of Munchkin when she eats, or doesn't as the case may be).

Some of the water features and artwork around the gardens...

In other news, Mommy has solved the "Uncle Gus" dilemma. I could never figure out why Munchkin seemed so standoffish and afraid ofmy borther at first. Now, admittedly she doesn't get to see him quite as often as I'd like, but she just seemed to have some extra oomph to her wailing where he was concerned. As of today, that is no more. I figured out that she was seriously confused and scared for one reason. She has ANOTHER Uncle Gus, one she sees almost weekly, who is also her very much loved Godfather. So poor girl is thinking, "What the heck is WRONG with you people? Can't you see that's not Uncle Gus??????" She's thinking we're all deluded and leading her down the primrose path. For now, my brother has been relegated "Uncle Goose" until Munchkin learns that more than one person is allowed to have the same name.

So many flowers, so little time! Mommy was proud of me, I managed to remember the "if you pull the leaves off, you can't put them back on" rule of all flora and fauna. I didn't pull off a single thing. Those scarecrows sure were neat, but they had an ENTIRE garden just for little ones like me and that is most amazing. LOTS of fountains nearby too, and a fishpond, Mommy seemed quite worried I might take a dip. Today was so much fun.

First ponytails and rainy weather

Not much going on down here, Munchkin is just being forced to shop a lot. She shouldn't mind, never fails I spend the money on her. I do tend to shop a lot when I'm home, and my dad makes fun of me for it...I am the family shopaholic. But the stores I love here they don't have where we are so it's the only time I can go. Not to mention we typically hit up the play areas so Munchkin can have some fun. We had planned to go to Stone Mountain, the Botanical Gardens and possibly the aquarium...but weather isn't cooperating and I really wanted to do outside things. We'll have to hit Wren's Nest next time we come for storytime we won't have time this Saturday. Just a couple of pics of her first ponytails from a few days ago.

I'm NOT feeding her razors!

Kiddo is killing me today. She's screaming bloody murder because I'm trying to get her to eat like 6 bites of her dinner before she can watch "Punket" (Halloween pumpkin movie, that's what she calls it). I mean literally, hyperventilating, hysterical. And I'm thinking, how many calories is she burning putting on this show so I can get some darn calories into her??? This is so counter productive. I'm either going to be miserable at 400 pounds from stress eating or be 95 pounds from an all alcoholic liquid diet from stress when this is over, seriously.

There are not enough hours in the day between mealtimes for me to fully recuperate from the stress of feeding this child. I really hope she turns a corner soon. On a high note, the Ballard outlets were fun today with Gigi.

Mom is trying to kill me, I swear. Maybe if I cry harder she will stop trying to do such horrid things, like feed me. What a monster.

Victory lap around the ward

Well, as of Friday, Miss Munchkin was released from the hospital. Not before they ordered one more round of bloodwork and an xray to make sure her bones are the right age. Some random hormonal thing that could be the problem.

Here's where we are, we have no solid answers on what is causing her weight loss. She has had a basic, metabolic, and chromosomal bloodwork panel done, she has had an upper GI study done, she's had other labs taken and returned normal, now that xray, and 5 days of observation. So far all they've come up with is that mostly it is behavioral. She fights eating like a madwoman. She much prefers to drink her calories, which is fine with me but they seem irritated about. Also, they seem to think this is nothing, but her stomach is slow to empty. She gets that from her Buffy but it makes me understand why she has preferred grazing all this time and tells me she needs more frequent and smaller meals despite what the docs say. She lost weight every single day in the hospital. So we have a follow up next week and I have no idea what the plan is if she loses again. They said possibly a sweat test for cystic fibrosis but nothing else has come up. One of the docs mentioned a feeding tube and I am at this point completely against that. She does gain eventually, she just loses and then gains again and loses. Overall she ends up higher weight than before it's just a process. And her development is going strong so she's not having any adverse effects.

It's amazing how much study you can give an issue and then learn absolutely nothing that you didn't already know.

Doctors are mean

Another day, still on the ward

Supposedly, they let us sleep in...so they came to do her vitals at 5 am instead of 4:30. Oh you benevolent people. Munchkin lost weight again, second day in a row. We're talking like an ounce or less each day but she's losing and that's the problem. Part of it, I'm sure is being here. Part is that she normally gets "supermilk" with extra calories at home and that's not happening here. Having a roommate isn't helping either, it's just a lot of extra stress. I know the babies aren't intentionally fussy when the other is sleeping, but it's irksome nonetheless. For added fun, Munchkin made a break for the doors and activated her baby lojack. I had to laugh at her.

Bribery works. It is a beautiful thing, a wondrous thing. Munchkin loves watching Elmo (baby crack , I swear). So he disappears every couple of minutes and she has to have a couple of bites of yogurt to bring him back. We got through an entire container that way. I also unfortunately learned you don't have to actually exit the doors to set off the baby lojack alarms. I have the carpet burn on my knee from a grabbing dive to prove it.

It IS possible to go past the corner in the hallway. You should have seen Mom running after me! When I got close to the doors, all these people showed up and funny lights went off. Mom seemed kind of embarassed about the whole thing really. And you know, those stethoscopes aren't so bad when Mom holds it instead of the scrub people.

Daddy reading to me before he had to head back to work, and this is the result of refusing to nap. I don't know why she doesn't seem to remember that she falls asleep in her food but the result is the same every time!

We've had our 6am Elmo

Why must they wake us at 4am for vitals? Do we really deserve that? And who designed these baby Lojacks that you can't get wet and therefore can't bathe the baby? Munchkin has vanilla ice cream in her hair from last night.

I should have appreciated not having a roommate here on the ward more. Not that the one we have is bad, or(I don't think) staying very long, but when you're in this type of situation you just don't want any more drama coming in your door. And God, bless Steph for unintentionally teaching me that "help" was by far THE best sign to teach Munchkin! It's actually the only one we taught her and now she says the word so it's even better. But making that particular communication saves a meltdown so I love you Steph!

Wow, I CAN go a whole day and actually eat food. Who knew? Starting not to trust anyone in uniform but Daddy...and if he comes in with a stethoscope tomorrow he's on the list too.

In case anyone forgot. I HATE hospitals

Even though it's not so bad here. I HATE hospitals, with a passion. God love the people working in them but it just sucks. We're all checked in and she's not hooked up to any monitors or anything and I am coming to you live from the parent lounge on ward...I could kiss whoever thought this up!

She's eating as she normally would, which is to say pretty crappily but hopefully that will help them get a clear picture of what's going on. Kid barely eats so I think we are quickly figuring out that, duh, she just isn't a big eater. We had a roomie earlier, but he was discharged (RIGHT at naptime, freaking perfect) so it's just us in there.

Reminded of how stupid the Navy is with their rules for the new uniform. Um, if you are going to issue people firearms or put them in the vicinity of things that go boom...PLEASE make sure FIRST that they are intelligent enough to just put on the uniform. If not, please show them the door. These rules about when you can stop at the store wearing what are for pre-teens.

I am quickly learning. It's not just the white coats, but ALL scrubs in general that must be screamed at upon entering the room. And why is Mom letting them do this stuff to me?

**picture pending my getting home***

And later on now, giving Munchkin some private time to get all the way asleep before I settle in. I need to remind myself not to let my impressions and stressors get her, I need to take a page out of her book and just feel what I feel right then. Case in point, the Munchkin chooses today to learn how to say "happy" and clap her hands. She's picked up a lot today. And I've noticed that you can usually tell how much abuse has been taken by the vending machine when you can manage to get 2 quarters stuck in it in such a way that the third rolls right by and is counted. Weird.

Hospitals can be such funny little fun houses of "where the heck am I going". Walking back from the elevators, of which I swear I've come out a different door in a different direction each time, I pass a woman who is obviously walking the halls in labor. She's on a cell phone giving directions to, I assume, daddy-to-be and getting exasperated that he can't find her. Now, I'm sure normally this would be exasperating but in labor I'm sure it reached epic proportions. As I round the corner, I see a guy on a cell phone looking about as lost as you could and he asks me where L&D is. I brushed off the "oh what, just because I'm a woman, I should know where the baby factory is?" and helped him locate the subtly obvious signs right above your head at each intersection. Then we find previously mentioned woman-in-labor and he proceeds to tell her what a pain in his ass locating her was. I entered the pedi ward before the shit hit the proverbial fan and he got a nice come-to-Jesus meeting about pain. Lucky guy. Hope their night went better after that.

Ahhh, kids and their understanding of things...

I got a call from my nephew E this morning. He wanted to talk to Munchkin. So after a few minutes of barely intelligible conversation from him and her saying "Hellow, Hellow".



I got to talk to my sister a bit, which is nice we seem to miss each other a lot lately. She is due with their first daughter soon, I'm excited to have a niece and not just as a place to loan Munchkin's VAST wardrobe! E apparently thinks all the work on the nursery is for Munchkin, he thinks she is the sister he's getting and that the new room is for her! They are thick as theives when they play together; he wants to teach her everything. He has been calling the chair in the nursery "Munchkin's" chair and bringing in the toys he knows she has played with. Absolutely adorable.



Here they are last year at Christmas...just too cute together. This was after he tried to teach her to use a straw. In hindsight, perhaps grape juice wasn't the best choice.

Every princess needs

...someone to help her pick out her tiara
...someone to pick up and carry her train lest she stumble.

God, please let me always be there, lest she stumble.

This sucks. Today sucks. Medical crap sucks.

*Keep repeating to yourself it's for her own good, it's for her own good...*
So the showdown with the pediatrician was today. We've agreed to admit Munchkin to the pediatric ward for observation and further testing. Not only did she not meet her weight gain goal AGAIN, she lost 3.5 ounces in a week and a half. All her labs are normal, from the amount she is taking in they've determined she's absorbing it appropriately. They just have to figure out why she isn't taking in much.

But this is it. They don't get answers from this round of evaluation and testing, and they are leaving her alone. She's dainty and small, it's hereditary. But after her injury earlier this year, I just can't let it go until they really evaluate her calorie intake and such.

When your baby's growth is at stake, you'll eat your words pretty quick.

Mom seems bummed out and really exhausted, I'm not sure why but I'm pretty sure I don't like it.

How much Elmo?

I have figured out, in less than 4 straight hours of Elmo, you will be legally insane. After 7, you may consider having someone off the monster. Then, when sanity returns...you realize how far you went imagining offing a muppet. Ahh, kiddie TV.

Mom seems kinda stressed out...I don't know why. How could she be stressed??? Elmo's been keeping us company all day. Figured out today that "Pease" gets me whatever I want...even when what I want is about 30 chocolate covered raisins. Great-grandparents are so easy!

Of rain and Bounce-and-Spin ponies

Children really force you to live in the moment. As a stay at home mom, unfortunately, those moments can tend to get mundane or monotonous with the screams and the non-surgical lobotomies that happen daily from screaming and too much kiddie TV. But it is really nice when without even doing anything other than being totally grounded in their own innocence and fascination, your kids can take you along for the ride and remind you how interesting EVERYTHING is.

I'd forgotten how much I used to love playing in the rain. Were it not for the glasses (an eye infection has temporarily stolen my contacts) I would have gladly played with Munchkin in the "sprinkles" that the Heavens were offering readily. Just now, her ability to entertain herself awes me. She has the plastic bag from her Bounce and Spin pony I just put together and she's running laps around it. Singing happily to herself...when was the last time I was so absorbed in something?

Mommy got me a new toy (Not really, this was a Christmas present from Gigi and Grandpa...but she's just now big enough that her feet reach) and it is absolutely awesome! I can sit on it and it bounces all around. Mom said it will be even more fun when she puts in something called "batteries" and hooks the smart function up to the TV. Whatever, I'm just excited to be able to sit on one of my toys to play!!!

Coming in from the car today Mom kept asking me if I wanted to play in the sprinkles. I kept getting hit with these nice cooling drops of water that seem to just fall from the sky. I wish we could have stayed out to play but Mom had assured me that I'd enjoy my new toy even more.

More video!

We've just been reorganizing the last couple of days (well, ok, Mom has been reorganizing) and just finally getting settled in from the vacation. JUST in time to get on the road again to head home for a bit. Isn't that always the way?

I have to say, though, I am completely LOVING being within driving distance of all the family again. There are some things about Rhode Island I miss (believe it or not!) but the distance will never be one of them.

Mom learned: (yesterday) If you are shopping and you love something...BUY IT. You can always take it back but you can never buy it after it's sold out. Never. And if you hear that a store is going out of business, go the first few days of the sale and take what discount you can get. Waiting even less than a week can mean you are greeted by a fixture sale and miss out on what you really wanted.

(today) With all this cleaning, I realize I really do hang on to a LOT LOT LOT of crud I really don't need. Life would be much more serene around here if we just fessed up to truth and got rid of crap we don't need. Oh, and I learned yet again that Munchkin is flat out adorable. She was playing with a carousel at Cracker Barrel and when I turned around there were about 6 people just watching her dance with smiles plastered on their faces.

Munchkin learned: (yesterday) If Mom stops at ChickFilA and gets a large drink, go to sleep. You are going to be in the car for a WHILE. And, Mom warned me, but I apparently have gotten her "shoe gene". I now own the CUTEST pair of pink patent leather penny loafers you ever saw in a size 3!

(today) We learned a bit about something called "shade". We walked out to get the paper and stepped out of the sun behind the car's "shadow". I stopped and pulled my hand out of Mom's to bend down and touch the driveway and tell her I'd noticed it was cold. The world is so weird.

Oh, and musical carousels are mesmerizing!

Yesterday and today

Kind of a stall in time for us, we have finally settled in from getting back from vacation and then soon we head out to my sister's baby shower in GA. Always the traveller, we'll make sure to get some "Tutu travels" shots while in GA. I can take Munchkin to some of my favorite places, well, at least the ones I didn't promise MunchkinDad I'd wait until he can go. His work schedule just went all to hell again. What are ya gonna do?

Mom learned:(yesterday) There ARE some doctors out there who still believe AND function as if their patients' best interests are what matters! Who knew? God Bless and a big thank-you-hug to Dr. Alexander...my new opthalmologist and quickly climbing the charts of favorite doctor ever (Dr. Wilson and Dr. Steuer are still battling for first place, hard to top the two who've saved my life, twice). And today I learned how to make a pretty darn kick ass Beef Wellington...even if not quite the traditional way (I HATE pate)...and it was a LOT easier than expected.

And, I got reminded how much I miss my Annie when we finally got to catch up a little today. MunchkinDad said he knew that must have been who I was talking to because she's the ONLY person alive who can out-talk me. Miss ya sweetie!

Munchkin learned: (yesterday) I learned that all slides are not the same and that if I don't put my feet down I can go a LOT faster! Now that I think of it, Mom's been trying to tell me that (shhh, don't tell her I think she's right, it will totally go to her head!). Today, I figured out how to say 'Gatorade' (well, it comes out gate-aid but you get the idea) and I figured out that when mom covers my ears...don't fight it...she's probably just protecting me from the jet noise. Again, shhhhhh, don't tell her I think she's right. Deal?

The scratch on her cheek she did herself sometime during the night. Child grows talons in a matter of minutes, I swear.

A little extra "Baby Hulk" action when I tried to get her off the swings. She means it.