Happy 3rd Birthday, Elliot James

Was 3 weeks early, 5 hours in the nursery.
And had 0 names at first, then 2, then just 1.

F: What should we name him?
A: I don't know. I can't decide.
A: Why don't you decide, little baby?
A: Benjamin Ryne?
(e): (nothing)
A: Elliot James?
(e): hmpphmmnn
A: Well, Elliot James it is.

While I do think he could pull off being a Ben, he's every bit an Elliot.

Our baby boy is 3 and so very far from a baby.
I was going to put something all mushy gushy here ... yech.

Instead I'll tell you that he's a rough-and-tumble daddy's boy that has a runny nose, dirty clothes and bumps and bruises covering his body. He has an attitude and some will-power that rivals only his mommy's. He's love and hugs one minute, cars and trains (wrecking each other) the next. Pancakes for breakfast and meat and potatoes for dinner. Super Hero obsessed: coloring and reading books, clothes and unnerwears, movies, figurines and even a potty seat (insert image of Fred beaming proudly from ear to ear).

He's every bit a boy.
He's every bit a three year old.
He's every bit Elliot James.

Want to be a Fly on our Wall?

A: Dude. So, I think I'm pregnant.
F: (Laughing) What?
A: I just felt the baby kick!
F: (Laughing, still)
A: No, really. It kicked me so I must be like 5 months pregnant.

- - - - - 30 Seconds Later - - - - -

A: Oh, wait. I had ice cream for lunch and that was just me trying to digest all that fatty goodness without my gall bladder. False alarm.
A: Get ready for toots!
F: You're disgusting.
A: Yeah. You love it.

Three Stupid Things

1. The Lincoln City Libraries don't keep any record - so they say - of what you have checked out over the years. They don't keep those records for the confidentiality of their patrons. What? Did I miss something? Confidentiality? You're in a public library, picking out public books with a mass of 'the public' all around you - what about any of this is confidential?

2. In baseball, if you're winning and are up to bat at the bottom of the 9th the game is over. I get the point of not making it any more miserable for the other team - but what about your stats? Everything in baseball is numbers... so you are cutting them off from another at bat, another potential home run, another--- you get my point.

3. Airline baggage fees really get my goat. Just add it to the cost of my freaking flight because at least that way I don't feel like I'm continually paying for the privilege of riding on your small seated, crowded, recycled air metal flying thing with crappy snacks.

From Helpless to Helpful

Hopefully, I have just taken the first step from feeling completely helpless regarding Haiti to being helpful. I just contacted CraftHope and am willing to donate an item or two from my Etsy shop for them to sale. ALL of their proceeds (read: ALL = 100%) go directly to Doctors Without Borders.

If you're crafty, join the party and donate something handmade.

If you're a handmade shopper, shop at their Etsy store first.

Update 01.21.10: My two donated items were posted last night around 9pm - and bought before midnight! I didn't raise much in the grand scheme of things, but I did something and it feels good.

Wee Wisdom

In the airport...
E: Look, a guy in a hat! Whass he do?
A: That guy? Oh, he's a pilot.
E: Pirate?
A: Pi-Lot. He flies the airplane.
E: Oh. Pirate. Yeah.
A: Are you trying to get us arrested?

Before bed last night...
A: Okay - time for bed, should we sing a song?
E: No, less talk a little bit.
A: You want to talk?
E: Yeah.
A: Okay, about what? What should we talk about?
E: Grandpas.
E: An pancakes. Grandpas an pancakes.

At Epcot, waiting for Illuminations...
F: Elliot, are you ready for the fireworks?
E: YEAH!
A: They're going to be really neat.
E: Less go! Less eat Fiewerks!
F & A: Oh no, honey, not the restaurant.
E: (Whining) I hungee, go Fiewerks!
E: (Lip out, pouting and fake crying.) Fiewerks.
A to F: I'm pretty sure this makes us bad parents.

Descending into Atlanta to change planes...
E: Where we going?
A: Atlanta. It's in Georgia.
E: An then anudder aihplane?
A: Yep.
E: To Brakska (Nebraska)?
A: Yep.
E: Goooo Biiiiiig Lanta!

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On another note, our picture pages have been updated.
Enjoy.

Time to Take a Break

Starting some time tonight, I am going on a self-induced Media Fast.

For the duration of our trip to Florida, I will not be reading / viewing emails, texts, blogs, facebook, interwebs, etc. I'll be kickin' it Stone Age Style and setting my phone to only accept phone calls - and even those will be answered on a limited basis.

I'm kind of excited.