Fluff update!

switching hats with Grandpa Kirk at Wilmore Old-Fashioned Christmas


He loves getting drinks from our kitty-discipline squirt bottles. Charlie took this picture when Caspian figured out how to squirt himself (which he did in his own face, on purpose, several times).


We love our family bed!


right after Charlie's work Christmas dinner (us) & right after a big drink of water (Caspian)


my sick boy, cuddling with Grandma Bonnie last week


...not too sick to notice the forbidden glasses, though.


Charlie left his too-big sweatshirt in the living room yesterday, and when it was spread out it looked like a Caspian-sized bearskin rug. The fact that Caspian willingly laid on it the way I wanted is an indication of how tired he was.

Yeah, yeah — I know. I have a good excuse, though. Last week I was sick...then Caspian and I were both sick...then I was still sick but Caspian's fever broke...in time for two new teeth to come in. He was sooooo cranky and off-schedule, it was awful — he woke up from every nap crying, poor baby.

Sunday was really crazy, and that didn't help either. Charlie got a GPS for a Christmas bonus, so we returned it to Best Buy for store credit, hoping to get a Wii. We found out they were releasing their Wii stock on Sunday morning, so we went super-early, but the claim tickets were all gone. Somebody mentioned that Toys 'R Us next door had some, so we went over and got the last one! We decided to check back at Best Buy when they released the unclaimed Wiis at noon and scored another one to sell on eBay! Between our two Wii-ventures, we went to the Urgent Treatment Center (because the automatic sliding door on our minivan closed on my arm Saturday night ) and church. On Sunday afternoon, I went to a cookie-baking party at a customer/friend's house (she provides the staples and the equipment, you bring your recipe and any specialty ingredients), and it was such a fun getaway! I'd forgotten how nice it was to hang out with adult women. I left home as soon as Caspian fell asleep at 3:30, then Charlie laid down with him and they slept until 7:30! Not surprising considering what an early and long day he'd had. He definitely had a growth spurt this week, too. Charlie thinks he's an inch or two taller!

I just made these flourless cookies last night. We were pouring over recipes as possibilies for a potluck on Thursday, and Charlie was going crazy...so I made some as a practice run.
Easy Peanut Butter Presses
(Pampered Chef, plus a little Hilary)
1 c. sugar
1 c. peanut butter
1 egg
* ½ c. or 1 c. mini chocolate chips *
* 2 T peanuts, chopped *
Combine egg and sugar, then mix in peanut butter until completely blended. If you're Hilary, add ½ c. mini chocolate chips. Use a cookie press to form the cookies (or if you're Hilary, level scoops with a melon baller sprayed with Pam). Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes until set and light golden brown. After cookies have cooled, melt ½ c. chocolate chips in the microwave and drizzle chocolate over them. Top with chopped peanuts, if desired.

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Caspian and I both have icky colds/sinus infections. I'm constantly wiping both our noses. The cool thing that came out of this, though, is that he's started blowing his nose when I put a tissue up to it. I can usually only get one blow per go, but it's helping a little. Yesterday, though, he was leaning up against the couch when I tried to get him to do it...and instead of blowing into the tissue, he pushed into his pants! It was hard not to laugh and break his concentration, but there he was, bent over the couch with a tissue to his face, pushing and grunting!

The night before last, Caspian was in one of his "I'm too wired to sleep" moods. We were starting to get a little fed up with his stalling tactics, as it was after midnight and we were all in bed already. First he wanted "boo," then 80 drinks of water...but then he kept asking to pray, over and over. How do you say "no" to that? He doesn't know the sign for "pray" (we hadn't taught it), but he knows it involves "holding hands and closing eyes and bowing heads" (which is what we say after "It's time to pray!"), so he signs "read" then flips and flops his hands and fingers around each other when he wants to pray. Whenever we get to the "Amen," he grunts "unh unh" just after. That night, he just kept signing "more, more!" when we'd finish. It really makes you think, "Umm, do we realize what we're being asked to do here?" What a blessing! After about 7 or 8, though, we were falling asleep. At that point, I told Caspian it was his turn to lead the prayer!

He is getting so tall! Things that were safe just last week are now getting pulled down left and right! It's hard to get frustrated because I'm so proud of him. Speaking of proud, he finally started signing "please" on his own last week! He's combining it with the signs for whatever he wants, which is also exciting.

Lately he's been saying "nah nah nah nah" at seemingly-random times, and it's been driving us crazy trying to figure out what he's saying. It sounds the same as "banana" ("nah NAH nah"), except the inflection is totally different. Last night, we think we figured out it means "no no no" (great). Charlie took him into the bedroom, and Caspian didn't want to go. He said "nah nah nah nah" and shook his head "no".

I didn't write this, but I did tweak it a little:

An atheist was walking through the woods. "What majestic trees!" "What powerful rivers!" "What beautiful animals!" he said to himself. As he walked alongside the river, he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. He turned and saw a 7-foot grizzly bear charge towards him!

He ran as fast as he could up the path. He looked over his shoulder & saw that the bear was closing in on him. He looked over his shoulder again, & the bear was even closer. He tripped & fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up, but the bear was right on top of him, reaching for him with his left paw & raising his right paw to strike him.

At that instant the Atheist cried out, "Oh my God!"

Time Stopped. The bear froze. The forest was silent.

As a bright light shone upon the man, a Voice came out of the sky, "You deny my existence for all these years, teach others I don't exist and even credit creation to cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?"

The atheist looked directly into the light. "It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as a believer now." He continued in desperation, "...but perhaps you could make the BEAR a Christian?"

"Very Well," said the voice. The light went out. The sounds of the forest resumed. Hopefully, the atheist looked up at the bear.

The bear brought his paws together, bowed his head, and spoke: "Lord bless this food, which I am about to receive from thy bounty through Christ our Lord. Amen."

That ranks right up there with the old lady and the groceries story. :D
Here's another one I didn't write:

"ONE LESS: My DD will be one less girl to be injected w/ a substance of questionable value and unknown safety w/o her informed consent!"

Non-Crappy Starring You! eCards on JibJab

Enter to win a $250 shopping spree from Along For the Ride, your source for baby-wearing fashion finds!

You have until midnight December 31 to tell them which baby carrier is on your wish list this year. Maybe it's the Moby Wrap that Caspian enjoyed so much...?

Boy, I'm glad the Diaper Hunt is only twice a year! I did order some yummy stuff from Blue House Soaps, though. It all looks delicious...and I'm not even a bath & body type girl! If you want to order, put my name in the comments as a referral, pleeeeeease!

Caspian is signing "thank you" now whenever I say it to him, so I guess that's a start. Of course, he doesn't quite have the one finger down; it's the same guesture as when he blows kisses (open palm to mouth). I've said "thank you" to him the most, recently, whenever he doesn't bite me as he de-latches. Ouch. Praise God, it got through to him that I didn't like it!

On Thanksgiving, Caspian got his first whipped cream "shot" from mommy (and you can really see his little red curly baby 'fro).


Belated Halloween Photos! We dressed him as "Prince Caspian" — aka putting him in a cape and homemade crown (craft foam stapled to a baby beanie, then duct-taped). He actually won second place in the Wilmore costume contest for the hotly-contested 3-and-under age group! Did his winning smile and shameless waving sway the judges? We'll never know. The highlights of his night were the balloon he got from a local political candidate and the glow stick from the Free Methodist youth group, but he also really enjoyed striding around with a cape flowing out behind.




Bonus Photos!

Getting water out of his ear after a bath. Think he's tired?


The day after mommy tried some of her defrizzer on his hair. Flat? Weird! Bring back the curls!


Fun in the park next door!

When Caspian tries to sign "please" (with prompting), he goes through "more," "book," "all done," and then random hand flailing. I'm looking for a good DVD signing series for this age, maybe to get with Christmas money.

When listing his verbal vocabulary, I forgot to mention the ever-present "banana" and post-prayer "amen" (which sounds kind of like a fake sneeze, to be honest). Charlie was teaching him to bray like a horse last night, too. Instead of "neigh" they were shaking their heads and going "brrrr" with their lips. It was pretty funny.

When we went next door to the park today, Caspian kept going "blech!" whenever he walked by pieces of trash. (I know, I know -- we should've picked them up.) There's also a bench in the park that is made up of a bunch of little holes, and he enjoyed picking up handfuls of mulch and leaves and poking them through the holes.

I've read this a million times, but I always laugh at one particular line:

Excerpts from a Dog's Diary
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Excerpts from a Cat's Diary
Day 983 of my captivity.
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.
Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards!
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.
Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow --but at the top of the stairs.
I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now...

By the time I get to the line about the dog being "obviously retarded," I lose it!

Oooh...guiltyguiltyguilty feelings! My last post was in September!?! I have got to get back into a routine that involves online time, seriously. I felt bad taking so much time up online instead of working or being with Caspian that I haven't really let myself do anything! I'm sorry, OL friends!!

Babies/toddlers grow so fast, it's hard to wrap my brain around the sheer volume of stuff they learn each week. Mine turns 16 months today! On Friday I just cut Caspian's nails for the first time while he was awake -- he actually sat there and let me do it! He does "gimme five," gives kisses (open-mouthed only), and waves on command. He also loves to climb, make animal noises, and look at his flash cards. When music plays that he likes, he conducts it; he also does a bouncy dance which just recently started involving stomping his feet on the floor. He is very confident about getting down from high places, like the couch and the bed (by laying on his belly and sliding off).
He uses signs for more/gimme/please (all of which look like the sign for "again"), nurse, food, drink, down, book/read, and all done. We're trying to teach him the initial consonant sounds for some things, but he only does paci and pig (puh-puh-puh) and duck and dog (deh-deh-deh) consistently. Caspian's everyday vocabulary consists of mama and dada, Grandma ("MAmama") and Grandpa ("Daaaaa"), "ah ah ah" (like the Count from Sesame Street), "that"/"what," and "up." He's also started saying "Bleccch!" and sticking his tongue out when we see/do something gross (which is a line from one of his books).
He has 9 teeth and loves vegetables best. Today he ate an insane amount of beans, rice, and ground beef, plus almost half a piece of pumpkin pie! His most recent (but short-lived) obsession was with getting his nose salined and aspirated, which is probably because he's always congested nowadays. He loved it for about 2 days, but now he still asks for it but won't actually let me near his nose. He nurses about 4 or 5 times during the day, plus 2 or 3 times at night (grumble, grumble). We still co-sleep, and it is sooo funny to see him sitting up in the middle of the night, swaying and weakly signing "more" and "nurse" in his half-stupor (after pulling or smacking my shirt front for attention). Most of his (red) hair is growing in a curly strip down the middle of his head, like a faux-hawk.
He's now been to the church nursery 4 times by himself (the 2 weeks prior, we were in with him, then watching through the window), and he adores it. He's a humongous flirt and laughs whenever he hears anyone laughing (and claps when he sees or hears clapping). It is so exciting to see him bringing joy to strangers everywhere we go. I hope he retains that quality when he gets older.

We went to a movie (Enchanted) with my parents on Thanksgiving Day and took this picture. It's pretty good, except for Charlie's crappy-lighting-induced undereye circles. :p

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.