Up, up and away!

It's tough being 3 1/2, trying to fly, saving the world, running out of gas (because it's your bedtime, but you hadn't been outside yet because it rained all day and Mom thought it would be nice to let you ride your bike and play superhero awhile instead of getting ready for bed) and getting ticked at your Mom for taking your picture. Yeah, it's a hard life..... and Mom is kinda a fun ruiner...

Johnny Depp at the MTV movie awards

Once again, pop culture quiz. Did anyone catch the MTV movie awards??? I caught the end when Johnny Depp won an award (turns out he won 2) but I digress. He walked out and seriously, I stopped what I was doing, and jaw dropped. It looks like he's 20 years old! So, as much as I love the scruffy JD - I also really liked this look too:

LOST

So......did anyone watch the season finale last night...it was wicked!!!! (Jessica - I know you haven't watched it yet, so no spoilers here!!!!)

And a complete sidenote. I've decided to read the Harry Potter books again - start to finish. I'm not sure why, I'm just really enjoying them more this time around. I just started the Half Blood Prince, and am curious to see what part that guy who just got stabbed in London played. Grim, I know, but I have no idea what his part was in the movie. It's horrible that it happened. And no, I started reading all the books before that thing happened. Just summer reading!

Another thing I'm trying is whole wheat pasta. I tried it a few years ago and thought it was repulsive, it was like eating the box it came in! So I started on that whole wheat blend... the spiral pasta wasn't too bad. Last night I put the penne in this Italian Sausage soup (which is amazing, if I do say so myself) and it was a little cardboardy, but got better the longer it sat. I'm an al dente girl, but this stuff is better a bit overcooked - weird. Generally I eat all things whole grain, but man, I'm resistant to pasta.

OK - sidenotes over....I hope we can discuss the Lost finale soon!!!

Update

Just to let you know - that crazy venting blog really made me feel better. So, thanks blog world for clearing that up for me!

Let the peace, begin.....

I guess I need to get this off my chest

Let the venting........begin!

1. Dear 93 year old neighbor...please don't comment on the dandelions in my yard. I know they are there, and I know I could get my own knife out and dig them out, but I have other things to do.

2. Yes trash lady - when you dump our garbage in the garbage truck I do want everything in the can to go in, not all over my front lawn. That also goes for dumping my neighbors across my front lawn too. I guess it does cover the dandelions tho. Really though, I don't mind picking up after you too.

3. If you drive without insurance then you are a bad person. There, I said it.

4. If you are a feminist, or women's studies major I'm totally cool with you. But the arm pit hair peeking out of your shirt totally gives me the willies. And I'm not really grooving with your leg hair either - but I completely support you sister! (unlike your bra because you also are not wearing one of those either.)

5. Why is the local pool (ie about 50 yards from my house) open from May 31 - August 15th. I think that's bogus. It's hot for another month!

6. It boggles my mind I'm only 12 weeks pregnant and am "this" close to getting the maternity pants out. Seriously. Today I spent most of the day outside with my fly completely open and a shirt covering it. Yep, that's how I roll.

7. I hardly ever used the van during the day when my husband was at work - and now that I don't have it (his car is in the shop for another couple of weeks) I feel like I'm on house arrest.

8. It took me 5 days to get my garden and flowers planted. It usually takes me 2 TOPS. What's up with that?

9. I only watch 2 TV shows. Lost and The Office. They are both on the same night. What the heck else am I supposed to watch on TV? And since I'm not watching TV - why am I so lazy and can't get anything done at night after dinner??

10. My three least favorite chores are as follows (worst last): folding laundry, making the bed and washing dishes. I need to do all three tonite and here I am blogging.

Introspective comments by Rhys

1. (covers his ears) Your breath smells bad, Mom! Now, smell my breath!

2. Sometimes I like it when you do that, other times I don't. (in reference to everything)

3. (after he finishes a snack) I need a snack! My tummy hurts right now and I need to eat!

4. (on his tryke) Look at how fast I'm going right now. I'm a superhero!

5. Don't kiss me right now, I don't need it.

6. Ouch - you just hit me in the hoob!

7. Adoom dumb day, A doom dumb day. I am a knight - I will fight you.

8. When I eat from the garden I'll get real real big. Real real big like Dad.

9. (after pouring milk for his rice krispies) Come over here mom for a minute. Listen to this talking!

10. Did you see this big big worm??? And the (insert baby voice) teeny tiny one? They are friends!

Introducing.......

In case you can't read inkspots - or ultrasounds, that's our new baby shrimp, aka Zeus (thanks Aaron for the name) who will be born around December 5th of this year.

Oh - and it's my uterus too. You're welcome!

Happy Mother's Day

I look at this every year and every year I laugh...enjoy!

Counting our blessings...

Aaron got into an accident on his way home from work yesterday. He was waiting at a red light and when it turned green, he went straight ahead. Unfortunately someone else crossing the intersection was trying to unlock her cellphone when she ran the red light and BAM. Aaron T-boned her. After police, reports, etc.... they didn't write her a ticket because NO ONE stopped as a witness. Thankfully she did admit to the police it was her fault. Hopefully that will be good enough for the insurance company. We find out Monday if the car is a complete loss or if it can be fixed. Bottom line - it's just a car and Aaron's just a bit sore last night and today - that's it. So we're counting our blessings - it could have been so much worse....

Sweet

I just got done practicing my music for Sunday and Rhys heard me singing. I just finished and he's in the living room belting out a made up song of his own and it goes a little something like this:

Daddy! Get off work!
Daddy! Get off work!
I wanna play a ballgame!
I'm a pirate!
In the garbage can - har har!

I never knew it would feel so good to come back for a bit

So - I am a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, a women's music fraternity. And now that I'm gradumacated I've been a member of the Alum chapter for the past 7 years. We thought (ok, I thought) it would be fun to put together a musicale for our end of the year meeting. No stress, just fun. So today I went to the home of one of the lovely SAI's to rehearse and pick out a couple of songs.

Side note - this SAI was my group piano teacher at Iowa and I'm sure the only way I passed Group II after my horrendous in my head keychange of the Star Spangled Banner was because I was an SAI and she was our advisor...

Anyway....

So I picked out a few songs to try out from college. Then she started playing and I started singing. And it was awesome amazing and better than I could have ever expected! It felt so good. Kind of like pulling out an old dusty toy you haven't played with since you were a kid and playing with it again for the first time and realizing it was just as fun as it ever was. There were no grades, no professors bringing me down or stress - just the piano, the music and my voice. All for fun - nothing else, purely for the joy of singing and making music.

It's taken nearly a decade, but I sang for the pure love of singing and music. Man, it felt great! And the cool part is that I wasn't half bad! Sure a few of those high A's didn't pop out like they used to, and my phrasing was lacking majorly....but you know, it's awesome what a few years growing up can do to your voice.

Aaron asked me when the last time was I actually sang. Like, sang for real. I've done a few weddings here and there - but that's not when I pull out the opera/classical voice, that's for sure. So I thought about it, and the sad thing is, I don't remember when. My guess was for that senior recital picture below.

So - what is it you haven't done in a long time that you should dust off and try again??

Dave’s Story

Univ. of Nebraska Medical Center Weekly Newsletter

April 14, 2008

My family and I entered the complex world of
transplantation in January 1989 when the physicians
at an Air Force hospital told my wife and me that what
they first thought was a deadly cancer in my liver
really was a disease that adversely affects the bile ducts
called primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).

We were elated with the news until Byers Shaw, MD,
and his team at The Nebraska Medical Center told us that
without a liver transplant I would most certainly die.
"Die?" I said, "How could that be?" I obviously knew
very little about transplantation, so in my ignorance
and motivation to keep current as a B-1B, B-52 and
potential B-2 instructor pilot in the Air Force, I said,
"Fine, then get me a new liver and I should be good to
go, right?" Not hardly. Dr. Shaw explained to us all the
varied aspects of transplantation, like how people get
placed on the waiting list, receive a new liver if they’re
lucky, and about the post-operative challenges my
family and I would face.

What really got our attention was that because of the
shortage of organ donors and the slow progression of
my disease, I probably wouldn’t be listed for another
eight to 10 years. We were a very scared family for the
nine years following my PSC diagnosis. I didn’t know
anyone who had had an organ transplant, so
everything that happened to me before my
transplant was very upsetting. Once we got
more transplant facts, like how few people
actually donate their organs; how many people
were already on the waiting list; and how sick
patients must be before actually transplanting; it was
clear that my future was tenuous at best.

My wife kept a very detailed diary of our experiences
with my transplant. She, along with our kids were the
ones who kept me motivated and as active as I could be
before transplant. Our kids at the time of my transplant
had only seen me well about half of their lives and
barely remembered me as a healthy person. I appreciated
their optimism and support even though my health
kept me from participating much in their lives at the
times when I was really needed. I thank my wife for
holding things together for all of us at home. We also
thank our church family who continuously helped out
and offered prayers for us.

As it turned out, Dr. Shaw’s predictions were about
right. I was grounded from flying in 1992 when my
liver disease made me a Type II diabetic. I finally retired
medically from the Air Force in June 1997. I immediately
underwent a very extensive transplant evaluation
at The Nebraska Medical Center. I was placed on their
waiting list right after the evaluation. The arduous task
of waiting began.

By the grace of God, I received my "gift of life" April
17, 1998. I was fortunate to only have to wait 10
months on that list. I was released from the hospital in
nine days and I was back to work full-time only three
months after surgery.

Thanks to my very generous donor along with a transplant
team second to none, I was present for our kids’
college graduations. I experienced the thrill and honor
of walking our daughter down the aisle at her wedding
in 2001. I was present for the birth of our grandson,
Rhys, in 2005. And, it was my honor to be the best man
for my son’s wedding in 2006. In July, my wife and I
will celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary. Obviously,
none of this would have been possible without the generous
gift from someone I never met! But, my story
does not stop there.

In November 1998, The Nebraska Medical Center opened
the Lied Transplant Center. I feel that God himself was giving
me a call when I was asked if I would consider joining
the staff to work with patients and families going through
what we had just gone through. I accepted this opportunity
remembering very clearly how it was for me and my
family and what I might be able to contribute to the care
of these people. I could not think of a better way to honor
the gift that I was given.

I have been working in this capacity for nine years. I
know I have touched many people’s lives through my
work. I take particular satisfaction in helping patients
who are frustrated, scared, and ready to give up. When
I tell them that I am a recipient and can validate their
concerns, they feel better about continuing their
transplant journey. They really appreciate talking to a
recipient and seeing for themselves that transplants not
only work but that life is definitely good after transplant.
It is very rewarding to have the opportunity to
participate in the "transplant miracle" at The Nebraska
Medical Center almost every day.

April is National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness
Month. I ask everyone to take advantage of this observance
and get the facts about organ and tissue donation,
sign a donor card, and verify that their driver’s
license indicates that they want to be an organ donor.
Most importantly, they must discuss organ donation
and their decision with their family. They need to be
assured that their family knows that they want to be an
organ donor and also know what their family’s desires
are as well.

I am about to complete my 10th year as a recipient and
will ever remain thankful to my donor for giving me
the "gift of life."

To learn more about organ donation in Nebraska and
how to register as a donor, visit www.nedonation.org. If
you live in Iowa, visit www.iowadonorregistry.org.

One year post transplant

April 17, 1999

My Senior Recital at the University of Iowa. I was so blessed to have my whole family there to celebrate that milestone, but more importantly the health of my Dad. It was awesome!

Did you know that this month is also Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness month?

The PSA's just keep on coming!! Who knew you could come to this blog for some good ole fashioned information.


Some of you know that my Dad had a liver transplant nearly Ten Years (yes, I'm capitalizing it!) ago. He is in amazing health and doing really well. I'm going to post a little bit each day of his story, through my eyes, on his road to a new liver, and ending with a great article he just wrote.


This Thursday, April 17th, marks his transplant date. And with an amazing amount of humble gratitude and thanks, we also remember that day as the day a family lost their dad, husband and grandpa.



Tonite I'm going to talk about where I was and how I heard about his transplant.

The Eggers - December 1996 (about 16 months pre transplant - people would comment on Dad's "great tan")

The Spring of 1998 (and second semester of my Junior year of college) I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad. For various reasons I decided on Swansea, Wales. My Dad had been pretty sick, on and off for years. He was still working, although jaundice and a bit mental, but was doing ok. My Mom (who had really been keeping our family afloat for the last few years) told me inexplicably that once I was there I would only be allowed to come home for a funeral.



Two days before I left for Wales, a friend invited me to sing at her church. In the middle of my solo I literally burst into tears because I looked at my Dad and felt so strongly that that would be the situation. Thankfully I recovered enough to finish and by the grace of God also met a family after the service who had just gone through the same thing. All the woman had to do was look at Dad and see that we were in the same boat her family was in before her son had a liver transplant a year or so before. My mom and I talked to her for a long time.... It was amazing the amount of hope and insight she gave us and I felt ready to go on my trip. And of course, Dad wanted me to go - if he had asked me to stay I would have.

New Years Eve 1997 - about 2 weeks before I left for Wales

Fast forward through amazing friends and memories of my study abroad experience to Easter. Swansea had a whole month break, which I took traveling solo to all my roomie's homes across Wales and England. I also checked out Scotland and Ireland. On my way through Birmingham I had Easter with the Duffy family, one of my roommates, and had an amazing time. After dinner I got a call from my Mom that Dad was hospitalized. I'll leave out the ugly details, but basically his intestines were done working and things were....ahem...backing up and he was in an incredible amount of pain. Luckily he got to the hospital in time for them to fix that problem and they decided to keep him a few more days for observation. This was a good thing because he then moved up the "list" since he was getting so much sicker.

Whiskey Tasting in Dublin - yes, this was right before I got toasted and fell on the bus on the way home!!! Look at all those cups!!

View from my B&B Window

Optimistically I headed to Dublin and then on to Galway hoping for the best. Once I got to Galway I booked into an amazing B&B overlooking the ocean and woke up refreshed and happy, but with a nagging urge to call home. I had just talked to my Mom the night before to check on Dad and all was well. However, I felt the need to call again. It was 8am Ireland time, and only 2am USA time, so that wouldn't have gone over very well. So I ate breakfast, took a walk along the beach, wrote in my journal and hit the town to shop/sight see. At 11:30am I couldn't wait any longer and decided that 5:30am was somewhat acceptable since Mom would be up to get ready for school soon anyway.

On the beach, killing some time before the shops opened

I used the annoying phone card at an open phone box right smack in the middle of town and the taxi queue. It rang several times and my Nana picked up. I was a little surprised at that, since I didn't know they were in town. The conversation went a little like this:


Me - Hi Nana, I didn't know you were home?


Nana - Oh, well..who is this? (she had early stages of dementia at this point)


Me- Um, it's me, Kristen, I'm calling from Ireland!


Nana - Wow!


Me- Is Mom there?


Nana - No, of course not!


Me - What??


Nana - Don't you know? Your Dad is getting his new liver!


Me - (bursting into tears) WHAT?


Nana - He's getting his new liver, didn't you know?


Me - Of course not, I'm in Ireland!



And then the details followed. Dad was woke up by a nurse at 2am (that's 8am Ireland time) and was told there was a match - it was TIME! Calls were made, my brother round up from the bars in Lincoln by his roomies, family and pastors on the move!


I was a wreck. When I hung up the phone, the cabbies were looking at me like I was crazy. I went into a pub (what else could I do??) to get a drink and meal and regain my composure. Once again, people were staring at me. I went to the bathroom to freshen up and realized that I had been walking around with mascara running down my face - I look like I had been beat up! After my meal I walked around Galway, found the nearest church and sat down in a pew and cried some more. The evening rolled around and I was back on the beach - praying again, hoping all was well and a nervous wreck.


I stayed up well past midnight Ireland time to get ahold of my Mom - he did great in surgery and all was well. By the time I headed back to Dublin the next day, I was able to talk to Dad on the phone at the Ferry Station back to Holyhead. He sounded great!

Three weeks post-op at at wedding. My friend met me in London and brought it with him so I could see how great he looked. Remember life without digital pictures?

And now here we are - 10 years later - It's just amazing.......

Today is Raise Your Voice for Type 1 Awareness Day

One of my friends wrote a great blog about her daughter who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes 2 years ago. Please check it out here.

A little story

One year my Mom thought it would be HIGH-LARIOUS to buy Clap on-Clap off lights for my Dad for Christmas. Little did she know that he also thought it would be a laugh a minute to buy Clap on-Clap off lights for her. So come Christmas morning they both opened each other's gifts and thought they were the absolute funniest people on earth. They found they could only use one light at a time in a room because they would both go on or off if you clapped (or in my Mom's case - snapped because she has the loudest snap of all time). So Mom now has the clapper on her bedside lamp and I have no idea where my Dad's went.

But Abby (the black lab that I wanted so bad and got my Jr. year of high school and who I told my parents would "be a comfort in their old age") got the last laugh. When Mom and Dad would go to bed, she used to sleep at the bottom of the stairs and if she started barking, the lights would go on and off poltergeis style and scare the bejezubus about of them in the middle of the night.

Abby - you were awesome....we miss you, girl.....

Random Thoughts

1. Rhys loves to shout, "I LOVE YOU, MOM" when we're out and about. I love it and I'm not embarrassed at all.

2. I hate doing a bunch of laundry and when the last load is in the dryer, find a lone sock on the stairway. Man........

3. Even depressing movies are good sometimes....you gotta get the cry out.

4. Not much tops a home grilled marinated bloody steak.

5. Or getting a bit sunburned on the 5th of April while picnicking with your kiddo.

6. I think there is a hair color called greasy. Or maybe it's just dirty blonde. I can shower at 9pm at night, wake up at 7am and be greasy. WTF is right.

7. I love to barter. This week I'm cashing in some good times with a massage and haircut on Thursday from past doula gigs. But not at the same time. Just the same day. I can't wait to feel good and bring out the funk - my hair hasn't been cut since I talked about it in January!

8. I love to sew when my sewing machine works. I also love to wear my glasses when I sew and the needle shatters and "pings" off my lenses. Thank God for glasses.

9. Despite all the dieting and exercise I'm doing, it's ok to go for a Culver's double deluxe burger with everything and cheese curds on the side when you have been craving it for 4 days straight. I enjoyed every single bite.

10. Once is still the only CD I have listened to in my van for about a month straight. I finally broke down and got the movie from half.com and I'm watching it tonite. It was my 10 pound loss prize to myself! Whoop whoop!

I like my booty(s)

I have 7 friends/family due during the months of March-June. So I wanted to come up with a fun and easy to ship gift. One of the items are these booties:

Under the Sea

John Deere Lovin' Uneven prototypes, but I like the fabric - the cabbage patch kids won't mind them.
hella cool

I have a bunch more to make and may even sell extras at BabyMatters for $10 or so....

My hero.....the "Blue Knight"

Dude

Happy Easter

So excited!

New Mineral Eye colors: Navy, Chocolate Kiss, Honey Spice, Sweet Cream, Sienna, and Granite Two new mineral Cheek colors, Shy Blush and golden Copper
New Mineral Bronzers and highlighters in shimmer and matte: Desert Sun (shimmer) Canyon Gold (shimmer), Sandstone (matte), Bronze Diva (matte) and Pink Stardust (shimmer), Pink porcelain (matte) highlighters
Mix and match all of these in the new magnetic compacts!!! All of the highlighters, bronzers and cheek colors can also be used on the EYES!!!

New Mineral Pressed Powders too - also fit right in the compacts!

Most of you know that one of my part-time jobs is selling Mary Kay Cosmetics. I'm not a big salesperson type of person, but believe in the simplicity and awesomeness of the skincare AND love to play with color. Basically these things sell themselves.

We are in the middle of a HUGE new line...as in completely revamping all of our color products.

The good news is that they are more beautiful, more modern, sleeker and competitive and I'm very excited about it!

Here are a few sneak peaks.... And if you need a consultant, let me know, and if you have one, give her a call, because you just have to try these out!

Woah, Baby!

Let's put this whole thing into perspective. Okay? I think there are definite worse things to be obsessed with than a movie, soundtrack and group. Right? Like cheese, I think a cheese obsession would be much worse. Shopping and spending money you don't have also isn't very healthy for you, or your family. Stalking Orlando Bloom, also unhealthy...Then there are the really bad ones, like sex with anonymous people, scoring drugs or just beating the crap out of someone...those are dangerous.... Are we on the same page here? Good.

I was really upset when I realized the Swell Season tour (ie, the musicians and stars from ONCE) venues were completely sold out in a 4 hour driving radius of my home. I felt the hollow pit in my stomach, going from website to website and seeing SOLD OUT. But there was hope in Madison, except instead of just saying sold out, I kept getting a Can Not Process screen. My hopes were dashed.

Then out of nowhere two days ago, I got a myspace bulletin from ONCE that they had booked another show in Chicago and the fan code word was ONCE and they go on sale THIS FRIDAY at 10am! A shining glimmer of hope!! My poor stomach leaped with joy!!! Last night I figured out what my ticketmaster login/password was (only took 2 tries, that was amazing!) since it's been 3 1/2 years since we have been to a real concert (Australian Pink Floyd Show - highly recommend, and babies in the womb also love it, or maybe it was the fact I was inhaling second hand MJ from the 50s+ crowd- who knows?)

So this morning, I sat, eagerly awaiting the online sale at 10am. And at 10:02 I had my tickets, virtually, in hand. Yes, I moaned about the "convenience" charge of $10 PER TICKET and another "venue" fee of $3 per ticket, and again another $2.50 just for the right to print out my own stupid tickets. But we have them, we're on the main floor and it's going to be a glorious father's day! GLORIOUS!

Maybe this will be the cure to my ONCE obsession.... but I hope not, the music is too good to get sick of....

A look back at last week....

1. Bedazzled baseball hats with a hole for your fake hair weave ponytail will never be cool. I don't care who you are, or what your one hit wonder was.

2. I felt like a douchbag when I cussed out this driver in a slow moving pick up truck who then turned into a packed parking lot at a funeral home. Man......

3. I am amazingly jealous of pregnant women right now, it's hard when my job is to be around them! I used to think, "Sucker!" when I saw them. Funny what a few years can do to get your mind wrapped around babytime again.

4. You know that statement, "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels." Well, that was true when I fit into a smaller pair of jeans this week. Now I just have to hold onto that feeling instead of digging into seconds!

5. I need a girl date. The other night I stayed out til 11pm talking with a friend after I observed her Lamaze class. Obviously I need to vent out stuff to another XX more often than not.

6. Nap times for children should be mandatory until they turn 18 and leave the nest.

7. If you want to enroll your 3 year old into preschool and get a morning time slot, it needs to be done 10 months in advance. Apparently 6 months isn't good enough, but luckily it is for an afternoon spot. But I'm 3rd on the waiting list, so we'll see what goes down.

8. Homemade blueberry muffins taste 1000 times better than anything in a box.

9. I still hate shopping at Walmart.

10. I can't help it, but I still have a crush on Michael Jackson circa 1982. I have this on vinyl - yeah, and I was 6 when it came out, but I remember it like it was only yesterday.

Might need a straight jacket

So - maybe I just need to share the joy with the world. As in the 5 people that read this blog.

Get to the Blockbuster (or online, or whatever) watch Once...then get the soundtrack, which also includes a behind the scenes documentary of the movie (very satisfying) and then check out Glen Hansard's solo stuff which then leads to you The Frames (amazing band and next purchase) which THEN takes you to the fact that Glen (yeah, we're on a first name basis now) and Marketa Irglova are on tour for their album The Swell Season which unfortunately is sold out in the 4 hour radius I would be willing (ie. able to afford) to travel to see them.

Phew....the obsession continues.... But it's ok, the same thing happened with me a few years ago with Nickel Creek and I lived through it - to tell the tale of being in the front 'row' of their concert with a whopping 104 fever. It's still a dream to me....

Obsessing....

We finally had the time to rent a few movies over the weekend:

Elizabeth - The Golden Age

Not too bad - but my history stinks, so was more than a little confused. However, it was beautiful shot, amazing costumes/hair/makeup that made up for the weird storytelling. And it's also hard when the first movie is one of my all time favorites - so this would have had to blow me away.

Eastern Promises

OK - you got me at naked Viggo Mortenson in a sauna room brawl. That's right ladies, he lets it all hang out. However, instead of the "Woah, Baby" I was expecting, I was more interested in the fight and kinda worried he was going to hurt, well, himself, if you know what I'm saying. But besides the awesome fight scene, this movie had enough twists and turns to keep me interested.

Once

Oh God, I'm completely obsessing over this movie right now (thus the title of the blog). I heard the "Falling Slowing" song quite awhile ago and was astounded by the loveliness.....then heard it again on the Oscars and realized I need to see this movie now! I've watched it twice today. Thankfully the Irish accents are strong enough that I don't think Rhys heard the F-bombs. What a great love story and the music just kills me... I think I got my crying quota in. Not because it's sad, more because really good chords and progressions make me cry. It's been that way since I was a kid and probably why I majored in music. He turns a phrase and I burst into tears. It's crazy.

And so today I sat down at my keyboard and finally sang again - I forget that I'm a musician sometimes. Maybe tonite I'll break out the guitar.

So - out of all these movies, ONCE has to be on your list. Go out now, get it, order it on On Demand - just watch it and love the music.

And if you really like it - get the soundtrack - and check out The Frames, Glen's band which is also going on my list of downloads/use Aaron's Best Buy gift certificate for....heh....

The other day....

Yes, those are his ribs, this kid is skinny and he's in the 97% percentile in weight - woah.

Cheeeeeeeese!
Seriously - are you done with the pictures yet?

Looka me! I have an airway now! And a uvula!

Rhys loves to talk....which is funny because we have to take him to a speech therapist so that other people, besides myself, can understand him. I thought I'd put in a little snippit of a journal I keep for him (and myself) a la Doogie Howser on a nice little word document. I started it after I quit my job in July 2005, he was 5 months old. Todays entry I had to sum up about 4 months of stuff and I try to put in things he says since i'm sure 4 more months from now I will forget all of it. Just to warn you - we're still big into potty talk, anatomy and constantly repeating things. Anyway, here is my running stream of consciousness from conversations from today:

Some of the favorite things you say are: Hoobs (Um yeah, that's Boobs), appropriate, thank you, pleeeeeese, I love you mommy, and I love daddy too. I did it the other day. I watched this with you, but it was too scary for you. Hey hey look at me do this! I’m peeing all by myself then I’ll wash my hands with soap – see????? No, I not in trouble, you in trouble. Where’s your penis mommy? I have a penis in my pants and so does daddy. You have a bagina? See, I wipe my butt like this, with this paper, see it? See it? See me do it by myself like a big boy? Food goes in my mouth, to my hoobs, and then my tummy and then out my butt. I like this cookie, but it is too spicy for you, Mom. Say whaaaaaaaat? When I get bigger, I will get to turn on the stove, like you Mommy. When I get bigger I get to do that, right? I get to turn on the stove? Like you? I get to turn the stove on like you when I get bigger, right Mommy? Touching the heater is only for big kids like me, ok. Big kids like you mommy, but when I get bigger, I get to touch it, right mommy? I get to touch it like this, the heater, when I get bigger like you? Right? Right Mommy? Oh no, I’m falling off the couch….Mom….mom…..mmoooooooommm. Help me, help me, I’m falling off the couch. No no! Don’t help me, I want to fall off like that. DON’T TOUCH ME MOM!!!!!!!!!

In case you've been living under a tub....

These are not worksafe - enjoy!!!

Say WHAT??

Where are my LOST peeps? Are you completely freaking out like I am??? Holy crap!



And anyone watching American Idol? Dude, some of those people are FREAKS. And not in a good way - and I'm talking about the top 24 here - not just the freaks they put on to entertain us in the auditions. And it all seems to go around the hair again. You've got:

Fake poneytail to look asymetrical girl

Rooster comb 2 toned color trying to hide male pattern baldness rocker dude

Whacked out dreds guy

Totally long widows peak, try to cover it up with a surfer flop guy

Kid from the 70s leif garret do guy

Elvira rocker and not in a good way chick

and finally - guy who would be much better if he could just sing it in drag



Thankfully they sent most of them home last night. However, the Moon River Vanilla Ice Hair Guy should have also packed his bags, along with Super Boring Long Scraggly Mermaid Hair Girl who sings with her mouth in a perpetual joker grin who would have been tazered if she had my vocal coach. Both need to get the heck outta there. Good thing I'm so perfect, right?





Yesterday Rhys had his 3 year old well child check up. He is off the charts on height and 97th percentile in weight. Basically if he was in a room with 99 other 3 year olds, he'd be the tallest one and only 3 kids would weigh more. Cr-azy! he's 41.5 inches tall and 38.3 pounds. Tall and skinny!



We also got a referral to a speech therapist - our first meeting it March 17th. Basically he's have trouble forming words, they are there, just not very clear. With his ear and throat problems, this is not a surprise. Other than a little anemia due to his lack of liking meat other than an occasional chicken nugget and hotdog, we will just need to add a multivitamin to the mix. And he is good to go!



Aaron has the day off today, so hopefully we can get outside a bit - plus I'm looking forward to a little quiet time of my own - Rhys is also not mastering the "inside voice" thing and it's driving me nuts.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wishing you and yours a happy day today, squeeze that someone special!
"Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more, say no more!"
(I hope someone gets that reference, or it looks pretty dumb!)