Guinness

I have taken a few personality tests and the results are listed below. You can take the same tests by clicking on the links listed with my test results.

You Are Guinness

You know beer well, and you'll only drink the best beers in the world. Watered down beers disgust you, as do the people who drink them. When you drink, you tend to become a bit of a know it all - especially about subjects you don't know well. But your friends tolerate your drunken ways, because you introduce them to the best beers around.

What's Your Beer Personality?

So, I am a Starbucks Frappacino.

You Are a Frappacino

At your best, you are: fun loving, sweet, and modern At your worst, you are: childish and over indulgent You drink coffee when: you're craving something sweet Your caffeine addiction level: low

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

Your Inner European

Your Inner European is Spanish!

Energetic and lively. You bring the party with you!

Who's Your Inner European?

Dragon Fly

The dogs and I went into the back yard to play ball this morning. I noticed a dragon fly resting on the patio and carefully diverted the dogs away from it. When the dogs grew tired of the ball game we headed back towards the house and noticed that the dragon fly hadn't moved.

I put the dogs in a "sit, stay" and got down on my hands and knees to examine the dragon fly. As I put my face an inch from the dragon fly a breeze blew its body towards me. A surge of adrenaline pushed my body back about ten feet, causing me to fall on my bottom.

It was then that I realized the dragon fly was dead and my extravagant reaction to the quiet breeze in our back yard was embarrassing and unwarranted.

I hope my husband understands my sense of humor.

Now, come give me a hug

Earlier this morning I created a blog about my O.C.D. which I attribute to Jeremy's closet. When he read it, only moments after being created, he barked accusations at me of being disingenuous.

I removed the blog from my posts immediately as to not offend the spousal unit in my home. After careful consideration I decided to re-post the offensive blog. I did infact feel stress when seeing his closet and the picture was infact taken this morning. Disingenuous? I think not.

It was not, however, my intention to upset my husband. While posting this blog I was laughing about the occurance which had caused me stress earlier in the day. It actually allowed me to vent my frustration in an effective, non-verbal manner. I thought Jeremy would have appreciated my attempt to vent non-verbally.

Having explained this, Jeremy, I hope you understand why I've blogged about your disarray. I am pleased at myself for being able to deal with it in my own way, through obsessive cleaning in other areas of the house and through blogging. Please don't be upset! Now, come give me a hug!!

The Skeleton in My Closet

As a child I was never too concerned with orderliness. I appreciated a tidy room and a made bed, but I through a fit when my mom asked me to do Saturday chores, just like every other kid in America.

As an adult, a home owner, wife and mother I find myself becoming more and more concerned with perfection around the house. It makes me ill to see a dirty bathroom counter top. I have to keep my carpet vacuumed (with labradors I find sanity in vacuuming at least twice a week) and my tables dusted.

I have come to the realization that my husband created within me an obsessive compulsive disorder of orderliness. By looking in to his closet this morning my neck and shoulders got very tense, my upper lip began to quiver and I heard myself rambling in sentences I didn't understand.

I now know that I have to keep the rest of my house tidy because there is such an enormous amount of disarray in his closet that my O.C.D. creates an equilibrium in our home (or perhaps in my own mind).

Hives Update

I was pleasently surprised to see that Munchkin's rash was greatly reduced this morning. I think that we are well on our way to a happy, healthy recovery.

Thanks for your help everyone!

My sister told me that Munchkin's rash looked like one that her son developed from a prescription of amoxicillin. What a coincidence, Munchkin has just completed a dose of amox.

My sis-in-law had a youngster with the same rash due to food allergies. When her little girl had this rash the Dr. said that it was hives and to bring her in to the office immediately to prevent the air-way from collapsing. This also makes sense because Munchkin has been introduced to cow's milk and eggs in the past week.

I am on board with what I've heard so far. It must be an allergy! I have talked to a nurse at my Dr's. office and they recomended using childrens benadryl. I have him on that now and will call the nurse first thing tomorrow morning to give an update and get any new advice. I will monitor him closely over the night and make sure that he is doing well.

I can not thank you enough for your concern. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have other mom's to turn to in times of need. I appreciate all who helped me to better understand what is happening to my little boy!

If anyone else has another idea or comment please let me know!

HELP! Please Read

Munchkin woke up with a rash on his belly and neck yesterday. His back was lightly affected too, but not badly. This morning his rash is worse and has spread to his limbs, it is almost as though I can see it spreading before my eyes. Munchkin had a tough time sleeping last night, he woke a few times fussing. He was fighting me when I tried to pick him up, as though he was in discomfort. I helped him by giving him baby tylenol. He isn't displaying any other symptoms like fever or diarrhea, so I am confused.

My initial instinct was to take him to the Dr.'s office or insta-care, but my parents and husband insisted that it is nothing to worry about. My mom thinks that it might be a prickly heat rash. I couldn't put my anxiety to rest and proceeded to drive my husband crazy.

I called the nurse at my Dr's office yesterday and was told that a rash can be caused by an allergy or a virus. We have introduced him to whole cow's milk and eggs within the past week. He has been on an antibiotic of amoxicillin, just completing the doseage today. He had a bug bite on his cheek a couple of days ago. It makes sense that it might be an allergic reaction to something, but what?

I am asking anyone who is a parent, has parents or knows a parent to give me some advice. Has anyone ever seen anything like this? What action should I take. Please Help!

Watch Me Walk

Watch Me Walk

This is a video of Munchkin's first steps, no kidding this is it! What a treat to have caught this on camera to enjoy over and over again.

My Little Walker

Munchkin has taken a hiatus from walking ever since his first step. He decided that one step was good enough for him, until yesterday. We were visiting Daddy, Grandma, and Papa at work when his thirst for upright mobility returned. He put one foot in front of the other without any physical help, a little motivation, but no physical help.

Today when I made my mandatory stop at my parents house, to satisfy Grandpa's craving for Munchkin, I thought he might brave another unassisted step. Indeed he did! He stood in the center of the floor for a minute or two, gaining proper balance, then off he went. Grandpa and I were sitting in the room watching the awesomeness that exudes from Munchkin. He took a step then two steps. Grandpa counted out loud with each step that Munchkin took. "One, two, three, four, five!"

After Munchkin's fifth step he quietly collapsed to his bottom, then Grandpa and I stood and gave loud applause. We were so excited, we ran to get Grandma. "You have to see this, come quick" we said.

Grandma came to see what was causing all the commotion, even though she hadn't done her hair yet. Munchkin repeated the awe inspiring event and Grandma too gave loud applause as though we had just seen man kind's first step on the moon.

It was absolutely delicious to see him walking on his own. It cements in my mind that my baby is becoming a little boy. Yet, another milestone!

Happy Birthday Mom

Munchkin, Jeremy and I would like to take this chance to say that we love you very much. Munchkin will come and spend the morning with you to ensure total happiness on this special day. You are a wonderful mother and grandmother. We simply couldn't do all that we do without you. You mean the world to us! Happy Birthday!

Today's Hike

Our hike in Lamb's Canyon today was beautiful. I can't help but watch my back when hiking in that canyon, however, I keep expecting wildlife to sneak up on me.

Anybody need a Video Drop Box?

Video Verns was demolished. Why did they leave their video drop box in the parking lot?

Munchkin learned two new things today.
1: To sip through a straw.
2: A strange, previously undiscovered protuberance in the center of his face has holes.

 
 
 
My parents took Munchkin and I to the cabin today. We have access to the cabin between the months of June and September, a shortened season due to snow packed roads and no plumbing during winter. This was our first time up this year.

It is an unusually wet day. It started pouring last night and hasn't stopped yet. The cabin was a little bit chilly and drizzily, but Munchkin and I loved it none the less. It somehow feels so good just to be up there. Testing the maximum intake capicity of your lungs just because the air smells so good, you wish you didn't have to take a break between breaths.

On our way down the canyon, about a block below our cabin, we saw a cow moose walking at a leisurly pace up the road. We turned off the car and watched her every move. Munchkin was drunk with delight to see the moose so closely. She wandered super close to the car and then turned around and walked down by the pond.

What an amazing first trip up to the cabin! 

A Shitty Morning

Nap time is no easy task, but it isn't usually this difficult. Munchkin has a routine for nap time that involves a blanket, a bottle, a ceiling fan and a light show of stars and moons. With these few, simple factors after about 15 minutes of light fussing he is asleep. Today, however, 15 minutes had gone by and his fussing was escalating. I went into the nursery to hold him and possibly rock him to sleep.

When I walked into the nursery I was hit in the face with the most wretched stench of human excretory waste. I looked at Munchkin who had just gotten out of the tub not ten minutes before I put him in his crib. It was obvious that he was going right back into the tub and PRONTO!

There he was, teary eyed and shitty! He had taken off his diaper and relieved himself in his crib. Then he proceded to play with this odd smelling goo that he had just created. He had smeared it all over the sheets and the railings of his crib. His hands, feet, arms and legs were all covered in shit.

I picked him up, but was not about to snuggle him or rock him to sleep as I had originally planned. I held him from my body as far as my arms would reach. I disassembled his crib while he layed on his changing table and created a big, smelly basket of laundry. I disinfected the entire crib with rubbing alcohol because he rubbed poo all over the biting bar that runs along the top of the railings. Good God! What a mess.

Needless to say, bath number two for the morning came soon after the crib disinfection.

I know that he doesn't like the thought of taking naps, but it never occured to me that he would out-smart me at my own game. If I say "take a nap" sooner or later he will take his nap. I guess today he thought "if I cover my crib in shit, there is no way she will make me sleep in it". As it turns out, he was right.

Happy Birthday Dad

Happy Birthday Dad. It is a very special time of year. We have three very special birthday's to celebrate within a couple of weeks of eachother. It is awesome that Munchkin was born so close to your birthday! Maybe that is a sign of good things to come. I've heard you say this many times, but it is true, this has been the greatest year ever. Now we can turn our attention to the upcoming year, which I know will be just as spectacular.

I hope you enjoy your special day! Munchkin and I love you dearly.

The First Year

A photo show of Munchkin's First Year. Make sure to turn your sound on, music accompanies the show. Enjoy!

Flickr Photos

View additional photos taken by me at this address.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/munchkin-inc/

I've Just Seen a Face

 
 

This is the charcoal drawing of Munchkin that I have written about in other blog spots. You can see the original portrait that the face was taken from.

The first time I saw the drawing I was blown away. I am amazed at the artistic ability of Miles, our friend. This drawing is absolutely priceless to me. I will treasure it always!

Thank you, Miles. 

Proof that the Birthday Party did exist

 
 
 
 

I have had trouble recently posting pictures to my blog. Well, not to worry, problem solved! I can not, however, post pictures to blogs that are already published. Here are the pictures which should have accompanied the Birthday Party blog titled "Fantastic". 

LOVE

 
 
 

Munchkin loves my mom so completely! It seems obvious to me that she feels the same. 

Mom's Garden

 
 
 
 

These are the newest blooms in my mom's garden. There is so much color in her yard, it is beautiful. 

Just do what I say and nobody gets hurt!

 
 
 

This boy absolutely loves to play in the water. He is totally happy until it is time to leave, then you would have thought that someone stole his dog. He is asserting himself and trying to prove his independence by throwing temper tantrums anytime I don't seem to be obeying his orders. "I said don't take me out of the water, Mom!" 

Good Samaritan

 
 
 

There were two highway barrels in the river today at the park. Excessive run-off due to melting snow in the canyons is washing all sorts of junk down stream, uglifying our rivers.

Jeremy decided to take it upon himself to better the world today. He braved the rushing current and removed both barrels from the water. Way to go J! 

My Doggies

 
 

Munchkin at the dog park. What fun!