I finally updated his bunny picture progression! Click to see it full-size (and you're gonna have to scroll...)

Need some really involved time-wasters? Check out this list of photo memes!

Hilary

"Never go to bed angry, stay up and plot your revenge."

'What is your personal life motto?' at QuizGalaxy.com

KYredhead

"Be nice to your enemies - it will drive them crazy"

'What is your personal life motto?' at QuizGalaxy.com

My "Dream Home," as determined by an online quiz:

Your home is a Magic Magnate's Castle Your kitchen is someplace you never go, because you "have people for that." There's a Chocolatessen, which is rapidly becoming your favorite room of the house. Having one is also becoming a trend among your wealthy neighbors. Your master bedroom is the size of a small barn, with carpet thick enough to reach your ankles. Your study has hardback editions of every classic ever written, plus a special edition of Rich Dad, Poor Dad with the parts you ghost-authored highlighted. One of your garages holds your collection of ferraris, and is measured in acreage. Your home also includes a guest wing and private quarters for your servants. Your guests enjoy your home theater with hi-def plasma screen TV, and the thrones you watch it from. Outside is your hedge maze and gardens, meticulously tended by a team of world-class botanists. And, you have a pet -- a doberman pincer named "Warren". Below is a snippet of the blueprints:

Find YOUR Dream Home!

This is the second one I got, which I like much better. Well, they could just be two different wings of the house...er, estate.

Your home is a Philanthropic Wizard's Mansion Your kitchen is manned by a team of Keebler Drow Elves. There's a Chocolatessen, which is rapidly becoming your favorite room of the house. Having one is also becoming a trend among your wealthy neighbors. Your master bedroom is decorated to look like the treetop village of the Galadhrim. Your study has every fantasy novel ever written, including multiple editions of the Silmarillion and advance copies of Dungeons and Dragons Fifth Edition. One of your garages holds your collection of ferraris, and is measured in acreage. Your home also includes a roost for griffons. You've never actually seen a griffon, but you keep the roost ready anyway. Your guests enjoy your home theater with hi-def plasma screen TV, and the thrones you watch it from. Outside is the moat that protects your home from goblin invaders and extended family. And, you have a pet -- a unicorn named "Shadowhooves". Below is a snippet of the blueprints:

Find YOUR Dream Home!

Caspian had a doctor's appointment yesterday because I found a pea-sized lump under the skin on his right leg. It feels like there's a little ball in there stuck to his muscle or something. The doctor said the lump could be one of two things. It's either a little bit of something that got under his skin (like glass or wood) when he was crawling around...or a tumor. Basically, if it gets smaller or goes away in the next couple of weeks, it's just some foreign matter that got in there (if it's natural, it may just get absorbed by his body; otherwise, we may have to get it cut out). He also sent us home with some info about this genetic nerve disorder that involves tumors, but made us promise not to freak out or anything, since it's just a possibility. It's not bothering Caspian, even when we touch it, which is a good sign. Please praypraypraypraypray until his appointment next month.

This afternoon Caspian found and brought me the thing I asked for from across the room!
He was playing with his Noah figure, carrying it around, when I realized I needed to make a phone call. He was the last one to have my phone, so I asked him where it was. He looked around and spotted it on the table. I said, "May I have it please? Go get Mommy's phone!" And he did! He walked over, picked it up, brought it back to me, and put it in my hand! I was astonished and sooo proud of him.

Incidentally, I also discovered a way to get him to drink water when he doesn't feel like it. We keep squirt bottles around the house for disciplining the cats, and Caspian likes to shake them and watch the water. Last night, he brought the living room bottle over to me and set it down, so I twisted open the nozzle and sprayed it into the air so he could see the water. Then I sprayed it in his mouth, and his face lit up. He'd swallow quickly and open his mouth for more! After a while, I got tired of it (I had been reading before the waterfest started), so I screwed the nozzle shut and put down the bottle. He picked it up and put it back in my lap, so I set it down again...so he picked it up and put it back in my lap! At least he's getting hydrated...

I've been busy on the MK front. Had my third $1,000 week last week and just got my latest inventory order in with all the new holiday goodies...ooohh, yummy.

My parents got back a couple of weeks ago from their trip to California to visit my older brother. He works at Disney in the Consumer Products Division, and he sent back with my parents some of the baby-geared products that "didn't make it," including some Baby Einstein software. Mom just brought it over, so we haven't tried it yet.

Last thing. Here's my mom's makeover that I promised to post:

follow-up to Applebee's story
Plus, my letter to the editor got printed!

I was trying to give Caspian some practice walking in shoes instead of barefoot, but he cried bloody murder! He just sat in the hallway tugging at the Velcro, grunt-screaming in frustration. You know that noise, like when you're trying to push or pull something with all your might and it's not moving and you're really ticked-off? Kind of like labor? I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that he desperately needs a nap...

Lunch was an adventure today, too. He ate green beans, grapes, bites of my sandwich, and some water. Even if his mouth was full, he started grunting and whining when he saw me eat my sandwich without him. He made this weird chuckle sound while chewed, too, like "If I can finish soon, Mommy will put more in my mouth!" I took lots of pics and video, since I'm trying to record his everyday doings (for posterity).

a fun driveway experiment

Here are the pictures from the mall play area.

I don't know whose ball this was, but he carried it around for about 20 minutes.


Charlie took this picture, but the lighting from the skylight makes it look like a studio shot, IMO. The other kid's arm? Not so much.


Some of the climbing features look like a giant ring stacking set. Caspian was very interested in the red and yellow ones.


He tried climbing into the red one, but it didn't work out so well...so he laid there for a while.


Once he conquered the challenge of getting in, he ruled the roost.

I'm afraid I can't deny it any longer...I have a toddler. He thinks he's the bee's knees, walking around like that. He loves raising both arms above his head, one hand open, pointer finger raised on the other hand. He also conducts music all the time, especially if someone is singing.

We got to try on an Ergo this weekend at Mother Nurture, and it was really nice. Very supportive! I probably shouldn't wear Caspian on my back without my hair up, though. Oooh, I also got two new nursing bras! I walked past the rack when I was testing the back carry and saw them. OMGosh, it feels so great to be supported again. Since they were only $25, Charlie let me get two to rotate. I look like I lost 10 pounds, my silhouette has changed so drastically!

Caspian talks a lot, it's just not comprehensible to anyone else. Charlie thinks he'll learn how to talk but not tell us, then bust out with full sentences.

I got to meet Brooke Ryan at the nurse-in on Saturday. All you have to do is spend 5 minutes with her to realize she doesn't have "an agenda" -- she was ready to throw up at the thought of having to talk to a reporter. Incidentally, they're having nurse-outs at Applebee's locations around the country next Saturday at noon! Go here to find or schedule one near you. I wish I could go so badly, but I have three appointments that day. I do get to contribute now, though! Brooke Ryan saw my MK name tag and asked if I would help her with her face for Saturday, since there'll be news crews there. I'm so glad I get to help out, somehow.

While we waited for Charlie to give blood on Friday, Caspian played with a 2yo in the waiting room. He followed him everywhere and even carried around one of the 2yo's toy cars...without putting it in his mouth! I seriously think that hour was what jump-started him walking full-time. He had a blast. He also got to play in our mall's toddler play area for the first time on Saturday. Oh my gosh, it was better than Disneyland in his eyes! I'll post pics later. He didn't sit down for 45 minutes!

Well, we made it past a Saturday without a new injury. Last night in the bath, however, Caspian stood up and leaned over the slippery tub rim and fell out face-first. Charlie and I both caught him at the same time as the underside of his chin hit the floor. He was super-startled at first, then cried, but he was okay. We were completely freaked out because of his neck. He's okay today, though.

The last two days have been the first time Caspian has spent all day in "big boy" clothes: shirt and shorts, not a onesie or romper. He's so grown up. One perk, though, is getting to rub his bare tummy whenever I want.