And I let it get to me!

Tonight we watched a movie called Freed0m Writers. I was kind of excited because I am all about movies that show teachers making a difference. I was all ready to sit back on the couch and shout my support for the fellow teacher at the TV. I am shocked by my reaction. Besides the to work/not to work conflict surrounding teaching, I totally disagreed with this teacher. Very little positive shouting was heard. The "bad guy" in the movie was totally right in my opinion. The "hero" had it ALL wrong. Wrong and wronger I tell you. I'm not to liking the bad guy and strongly disliking the hero. But, she was SO wrong! And I'm letting it get to me. I'm hoping I can get it down here and then move on to sleeping tonight. I've already tried spouting off at John (he took it well) and it doesn't seem to have been enough...

Sweet Potato Pie

I think we have established that I hate peas. Although it is on the early side to add another vegetable, I am tired of the swively head and trying to sneak the peas in there one way or another with crying in between. So, today we started a vegetable I KNEW he would probably like (P.S. I was right. Not that you doubted me). Sweet potatoes were a hit. He probably would have ate the entire container if I would have kept feeding him. I am relieved because I was beginning to wonder if we were pushing the solids to early. If he had turned down the sweet potatoes this afternoon or squash tomorrow, we would have had to slow down or stop entirely. I am completely okay with blaming the peas entirely. Have I mentioned I hate peas? I do. No worries though, he gobbled them up with a smile on his face.

Sweet Potatoes

The scooting on William's belly is getting quicker all the time we're noticing. He's also doing this thing when he sits up. He kind of gets going bouncing up and down until it looks like he might launch himself forward onto his face. The face plant has only happened once that I know of...I think this is all going towards that funny little butt scoot thing some kids do. We'll have to wait and see.


The other highlight of the day was our trip to the vet. I know, our first kitties are often neglected in the blog. But, their day is nowhere near as exciting as William's. Napping, eating, napping, napping in different spot, sniffing the carpet, drinking water, staring out the window, visiting the cat box, and napping don't add up to a whole lot of excitement. Even with the occasional hair ball, it doesn't add up to much. Just to reassure you, they are still our first kitties and we still love them lots. Even if they don't get much time up on the blog. The cats both had their physicals and shots - we're good for another year. both cats were very well behaved without any attitude (hissing, growling, scratching, etc.) The fatty spots on Mudd appear to have gone away or shrunk and both cats have lost weight. The vet was very pleased and my only complaint is that she didn't compliment us on how pretty their eyes are. This is the first year in history the vet has not gushed over the beautifulness of our cats' eyes. The only saving fact is she thought William was cute. We probably won't be switching vets after all. Although if another visit goes by without the eyes being noticed, I may reconsider.

Mmmmm...sweet potatoes. I think he may like the sweet potatoes more than the cereal or squash.


Opps! I don't think we quite have the hang of it yet.


The end: Mess

The end Mess Part II

Old McDonald should have had corn

Why all the animals Old McDonald? I just don't get it. Is that something like having a diverse portfolio for your retirement? Because I'm getting tired of singing about your animals...ALL your animals to William while I am trying to feed him stinky peas. May I make a suggestion? Keep the cows OR the sheep. The mooing and baaaaaing here and there and EVERYwhere usually makes him smile. But, get rid of everything else. Plant some corn. Or wheat. Do something different.

Swirled Peas, Again

I hate peas. I hate peas. I was quite ready to move on to other, yummier smelling vegetables when John asked me what I was going to do with the 1/2 full container still left in the fridge. Unable to throw it out, we will soldier on with the darn peas. Although he doesn't appear to actually like them (that's my boy!), he will now tolerate them if they are swirled into his rice cereal and I sing 'Old McDonald' the entire time I am feeding him. The Entire Time I am Feeding Him.

We have had a busy weekend despite the poopy peas problem (not an actual poop problem at this point for those of you who care). In prepareation for the drywall delivery, John cleaned out the garage on Saturday. I confess to coming out for short periods of time and moving things around without actually helping. Then, I would suddenly remember something I needed to do or hear the baby, etc. If you talk to my dad, he will clearly remember such tactics from when I was thirteen and supposed to be helping him with yard work. Anyhow, John worked and worked all day and found all kinds of interesting treasures. Our garage sale/donate pile has grown to be quite monstrous again.

One of the treasures we found were the torches we bought for our deck 100 years ago (or 3 years ago) as the "finishing touch" for the deck. Although we walk by them every day, they seem to just sit there, unfinishing our garage. As a result, Sunday we spent part of the day installing our lovely torches. And the deck is now "finished". We also spent some time in the basement hammering things around and moving ladders while William played in his "office". We are getting closer and closer to being ready to install drywall.

Tired baby boy on Saturday. Yes, we still have the bumpers in...I keep meaning to take them out. But then he does silly things like trying to crawl into the railings of the crib, bonking his precious little head every time.


Our newly cleaned out garage. No, this is not the before shot. This is the after and I think it looks GREAT! Lots of space to hold the drywall...just not cars right now. Just not the car I guess I should say since the most we've ever got in there is my car.


Biter buscuit test drive on Saturday. Verdict:too soon for William/ mom is a paranoid freak. He definitely enjoyed it. I did not enjoy the gagging/coughing noises he made. We'll try again in awhile.


What a good helper! Rule #17: NEVER leave the ladder up where a cat could climb it into your ceiling.


William conducting business in his "office" on Sunday


The finished deck with torches

Making Whirled Peas

After three days of struggling with peas (have I ever mentioned I HATE PEAS?), I am leaning towards William disliking them. The only way I have found to get them in his mouth is to whirl them up into the rice cereal and pretend they aren't there. I am seriously considering making John finish out this last few days of the "peas week". I'm starting to wonder if my gagging while feeding William the peas is having anything to do with him not wanting to open his mouth for them. Hmmm....all I know is we are going to try something easier next time. Sweet potatoes I think. Or carrots.

In other excitement, we have finally ordered a whole flock (pride? herd? gaggle?) of drywall to be delivered next Friday. We decided that although the delivery charge is actually more, it is going to be a huge saving in the end to not have to haul it off of the truck. Now, we'll just have to figure out how to haul it from the garage to the basement. Progress at least.


We're going to be busy the next couple of weeks. We have a 6 month doctor appointment, 6 months pictures to be taken, vet appointments for the cats, a termite inspection, drywall delivery, TA and Gerry going to be in nearby Taylorville, Cousin Chrissie making a stop and possibly and visit from the Grandparents McGarry. And we still have to decide about the reunion thing since they have extended the deadline for ticket purchase. We had decided we just weren't going to go - and then they extended the deadline, opening up the option again. Makes me tired thinking about it.

Peas, Revisited

Turns out when peas are spit up again hours later, they still smell like peas. The first, second and third spit up all carried the essence o' peas. I smell like pea. I hate peas. Who picked peas anyhow?

...and I believed you...

Now that William has been eating solids for about a month, we have noticed the change in the poo. You all told me it was coming and I believed you 100%. You said it was going to change colors and it was going to smell. Smell horribly. Even so, I was not prepared. Changing diapers hasn't ever been my favorite job, but it isn't the worst thing ever. Now, it is a whole new game. The other day, I handed him to John and asked him to change his diaper. John, none the wiser, took William towards the bedroom to change the diaper. As an afterthought, I mentioned "he might be poopy". Now, this was not fair. I knew very well that he was poopy - I just didn't want to change him myself. William has changed over from the yellow milk poo to the full on brown poo (or sometimes yellow due to the squash). The occasional slightly smelly diaper once opened has become a sewer gas emitting stench. All the time. It would be an understatement to say that the cereal has given William gas. The kid is a fart machine. If you were lucky enough to spend any time with us in the last week, William has something he would like to say to you "EXCUSE ME". I think that will cover it. At least we are now creating poo everyday with regularity. When we first started the rice cereal, everything kind of stopped. No poo for 3 days makes one scary diaper.

Moving along to other topics: Peas.

Yesterday the peas weren't exactly a hit. I thought maybe William was not a good mood, too tired, or something. So, this morning, I decided to add a second cereal feed to William's schedule and try out those peas again. The verdict is : I think he doesn't like the peas. He stopped opening his mouth and turned his head away. It was a struggle to feed him the tablespoon I had scooped out for him. Oh well. More later.