Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Cute, I am

Trick-or-Treating, I went.
Yoda, I was.
Fun, I had.
Tired, I am.
Sleep now, I will.







Sunday, October 29, 2006

Any case anyone out there wants to know...

I fixed the comments section so that anyone can post. So if the reason you weren't leaving me love notes was because you weren't a member--your problem is fixed and I expect to begin receiving mass adoration. Now, if the reason you weren't leaving me love notes was because you just didn't want to...well you'll have to find a new excuse to use when I ask you why you didn't leave a comment. :-P

A window to the future?



Does my baby have a wandering eye?? Notice that he has a firm grasp on the parrot. The parrot belongs to him and is happy in the pairing. He yanks on the parrot, attempts to eat the parrot and whispers sweet nothings to the parrot. When, suddenly, out of nowhere comes The Monkey. Who is this monkey? Why is the monkey suddenly taking all of Chase's attention? What can the parrot do to once again be the apple of Chase's eye? I have no answer. But it seems that my child is destined to be a ladies man. Watch out girls.









Saturday, October 28, 2006

Halloweeny pictures

We're preparing for the festivities that are set to occur on Tuesday. Here is Chase in his Halloween shirt.







Can't you just see how much he loves getting kisses from mommy? ;-)



Watching cartoons with Daddy.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

I cooked!


For those of you who know me, I have a very special treat for you. I cooked. Dinner. From scratch. Well, I cheated a little--I bought the roasted chicken from Harris Teeter instead of roasting my own, but who wouldn't for $3.99? Yea, a whole roasted chicken for the price of trimmed chicken breasts...Without the work of actually roasting them. Other than that, I did the whole thing. I chopped the peppers, onions and spinach. I sauteed. I mixed. I baked. I am a living goddess. Autographs available upon request. Just don't mention the three bowls that I broke in the process. :-)

Snuggly Puppy Robe



To further my efforts to conform Chase to my personal habits, I have introduced him to The Robe. I live in my robe. I put it on right after my shower and keep it on for extended lengths of time. I have even been known to sleep in my robe. I love how warm and safe it feels. So, now, I am indoctrinating Chase into the robe mind set. He will be a mini-me. He will, I say.

Chase--our little genius

I am sure that all moms think that their children are brilliant. I, however, have proof. Behold the genius that is my son. See him grasp his brightly colored toy as you imagine him shaking it all over--nearly hitting himself upside his brain filled head. All this at the ripe age of 3 months. See, my son IS brilliant.






Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Just make the mouths match

Recently, our town was in an uproar over the arrival of Verizon FIOS--it was hailed as ranking right up there with the second coming. Now, I'm not technologically savvy, so the best I can tell you about FIOS is that it makes the picture super clear and sharp. Like I can reach out and touch McDreamy sharp, if I wanted to do such things which--why not?--I do.

Everyone had something to say about FIOS--either you were thrilled and so excited that you rushed your newborn son home so as not to miss installation day (no not Drew believe it or not), or they were so ticked off at the Verizon monopoly that they complained about every little step of the process including having to press the "ON" button to make it work.

Now, if you know me, you know that I was oblivious to all of this. Just give me TV. I could never really see the difference between HD and the regular stations on satellite even with Drew switching between the two stations going "HD, No HD, HD, No HD". Of course, I ooohhed and ahhhed because I am a good wifey, but really it all looked the same to me.

FIOS however is VERY different. You can clearly see the difference between the HD version and the regular version. It makes the regular version look all washed out like those
late sixties/ early seventies shows on nick at nite. I was lovin me some FIOS, UNTIL....

It became abundantly clear that something is way wonky with the sound. It never matches the lips moving. And, I don't mean slightly off, but way off. The character will be audibly halfway through her second sentence before visually finishing her first. Like right now, my mouth would be forming the word "FINISHING". How flippin annoying. I believe the CW network is the main culprit in this conspiracy to deny me the clear, sharp picture to which I've become accustomed. And wouldn't you just know that I am a CW addict? It couldn't have been something I never watch--like say Bloomberg or Food TV?? Are those in HD yet---oh wait, I don't care.

If there are any CW big wigs reading this blog as I am sure there are...For the love of all things Gilmore, Veronica Mars and Smallvilleish, please make it so the mouths match. Your loyal fans who have stood by you through horrible reviews, dropping ratings and a whole new network will draw the line at schizophrenic character diatribes.

This concludes public service announcement #324234

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Pumpkin Patch Pictures

Today, we made the pilgrimage to the mecca that is Cox's farm. I have no data to back this claim up, but I believe there were more cars than pumpkins. It was a madhouse. Kids were running around like they'd never been outside before. Chase was asleep when we first got there and did not appear too thrilled at the idea of waking up to sit amongst pumpkins and hay. We made him do it anyway. Here is the pictorial record for your viewing pleasure.







Thursday, October 12, 2006

You are now entering the Northern Virginia Zone

Do do do do do do do do...

Northern Virginia is a very odd place. Nothing at all like where I grew up in good old West by Golly Virginia. People here have their own outlook on life--and it usually just involves them. Very self centered culture. Wealthy. Impatient. No use for the niceties of please, thank you and bless you. Not all Northern Virginians mind you, but enough of them to give the are a reputation that no mother would want for her child.

For your reading pleasure, I offer you two examples of how life in Northern Virginia varies greatly from that of Sweet Home West Virginia.

Exhibit A: The unfazed bystander

So, I went to Target today with the baby. Now anyone with a baby knows one thing: you never have as many hands as you need.

Luckily, our car has a button that you push to open the trunk. Giving you the feeling of having a third arm without looking like an alien. So I'm walking along, pushing my cart full of new found treasures and carrying one baby in a car seat when I push that magical button to open the trunk. At this same time, there is a guy walking toward me about 2 cars down from my own. Well, the trunk starts to open...gets halfway there--when suddenly there is this unnaturally loud "thud thud BANG" I kid you not I jumped 4 inches off the ground it was so loud. Upon my return to earth, I realized that the cacophony was caused by the massiveness that is Chase's stroller flying out of the car and rolling across the parking lot. Seriously his stroller is huge and it flew--flew from the back of the SUV. Anyway...To the point of this post. Amid all of this utter chaos, this man walking toward the flying baby mover never flinches, jumps or even glances in the direction of the assault. As if one sees flying strollers daily. Never stops to ask if a mother with a young child and lots of bags needs help picking up the gigantic stroller now in the middle of the parking lot. Just keeps walking on his path toward the heaven of Target--must not stray from the mission of acquiring toilet paper and a copy of The Little Mermaid on DVD. Now in WV, I'd have had three people offering to help, one grandma giving me advice on the proper placement of strollers in cars and Uncle Sid offering to take a look at the undercarriage of my car to be sure that nothing had broken during flight. Oh how I miss thee mountain momma.

Exhibit B: How else can we spend all of our money

It has become a common sight to see paid workers standing by signs along intersections. I assume they are not allowed to sit as I have rarely seen anyone on his tookus. Usually immigrants, they stand next to the advertisement for a store closing or going out of business sale for hours and hours. Doesn't matter if it's hot, cold, snowing, raining or hailing: if someone's willing to stand there then there is a business willing to pay him to do it. I myself never really understood how this actually convinced people to attend the close out sale, but no one asked me for my opinion. If they did, I'd charge way more for it than what they pay these sign cozies.

Today on the way home from Target, I noticed that a certain politician running for congress has taken it upon himself to employ this somewhat sketchy marketing practice. Yes, there were about 6 completely bored teenagers standing next to his signage along Rt. 50. All in a nice big clump so that you couldn't miss them. Now, had they been enthusiastically shaking the signs, I'd have thought they were the idealistic teenagers that people write TV shows about. But, no these kids were slouched over, playing with their cell phones, listening to MP3 players...looking like they were just basically just there for the pay day. Who is financing his campaign--cause if it were me, I'd have a thing or two to say about this particular usage of funds. Or maybe they weren't being paid--maybe it's the new form of punishment for staying out too late. No matter the reason they were there, for this registered voter, it's definitely a mark in the CONS column.

There you have it--just two of the examples that help to prove the fact that I'm not in Almost Heaven anymore.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

He liked it, he really did--I swear




So, Chase and I have gone on a few playdates with other babies and mommies. On these trips, I have noticed that Chase is somewhat deprived in the toy area. The other babies all had the coolest little swings, bouncy things, and activity gyms. Now, by deprived I mean that Chase has the papasan swing, vibrating chair, another swing that a mom from school gave me, TWO activity gyms from cousin Nate, and a Bebe pod but it just wasn't enough. The other kid's toys were much more enticing! Grass is greener and all. So I gave Andy the mission of upping our coolness quotient by procuring some neato new gizmos for the 3 month old. (spoil my child? who me?)What he found was the Fisher Price Jumperoo--no wait the DELUXE jumperoo--we spare no expense when it comes to creating a mini-version of our gadget collecting selves.

When I finally got the thing together and put Chase in it, he laughed and giggled and shook. He did not jump, just shook. I guess jumping comes later. Anyway, he was so cute that about 10 minutes into it, I decided it would make a great picture, so I went to get the camera. That is when the crying started. Apparently, the jumperoo is only fun if mommy is there making silly faces while Chase is in it. So, I have no evidence of Chase enjoying the jumperoo, but I do have evidence of the fit he took in the jumperoo. That last picture may look like he was all happy and giddy, but in reality he was just taking a breath before his next 2 minute long scream.

Guess my mother of the year award has now been revoked.

My Grandpa, my Grandpa--My Grandpa and Me!


A picture from the Buckwheat trip of Chase and his Grandpa.

Saturday, October 07, 2006

But my hair is so ska

A convo recap

Drew: I am going to go start my ska band now

Mellon: You're not the ska type...you're more easy listening

Everyone walk the dinosaur...

I can't sing. I have no rhythm, no pitch control, I can't transfer a common tune to new words, and sometimes my voice gets this gargly quality to it. I enjoy attempting to sing, but there isn't a soul out there who would enjoy being exposed to my special serenade. Well that is until now. It seems that Chase is soothed by my singing. Or wait, maybe that's assuming to much. Maybe I should say, Chase stops screaming when I sing. Now, this may be because his ears are in agony, and he has put himself into some kind of hypnotic trance--but whatever, as long as he's quiet, I'll keep singing. Self preservation and all.

Now there is a slight problem when it comes to singing for my sanity. I don't know a lot of songs. I know PIECES of songs, but there are few songs that I know all of the words to and can maintain the musical composition with some degree of success. Aside from the traditional children's songs like Twinkle, Mary, Eensy, and that farmer with all of the animals, I've been exposing Chase to the following lyrical masterpieces:
Almost Heaven--love me some John Denver
Circle in the Sand--I've seen the leggings coming back so
why not Belinda??
My Country Tis of Thee--first grade drilled this one into my head
The Little Mermaid soundtrack--especially the treasure song


As previously mentioned, I know pieces to lots of songs, so my child gets to hear the chorus to a variety of songs. His two current favorites:

"Shake, shake, shake; Shake, Shake, Shake--Shake your Cha-ase!
Woooooooooooo, Shake your Cha-ase Wooooooooo!"

&

"Open the door, get on the floor, Everyone walk the
dinosaur, Boom boom ackalacklacka boom!
Boom boom ackalacklacka boom boom!

You may send my Mother of the Year award anytime now.

Thursday, October 05, 2006

The list

Alrighty. In an effort to keep myself on track tomorrow, I am posting this list of chores that I wish to accomplish. Keep myself honest and all. ;-)

1) Decorate for Halloween/Fall
2) Bring in Fern from the porch before it frosts and she dies
3) Water indoor plants--their sad, drooping leaves are making me feel guilty
4) Sweep up hay that has fallen from bunny cage in bunny room
5) Training
6) Mommy play group
7) Pack for Atlantic City
8) Send free Arbonne gifts from website

Things to do in the near (NOT distant) future

1) Get mums for porch planters
2) Buy Halloween pumpkin with feet from Target--love that thing!!
3) Find shadow boxes for Jeanne's project
4) Clean out closet--cycle out maternity wear--I am so sick of maternity clothes
5) Bathroom project
a. pick paint color
b. order materials
c. find handyman
d. towels/accessories
6) Work on Chase's baby album


I guess that should keep me busy for awhile. One thing I did finally get crossed off of my list was getting Iverson's teeth cleaned. He went to the vet today, and his teeth look so much better. I am not sure he was thrilled with the experience, but we are very pleased that his breath doesn't smell like a trash can anymore.

Does my birthday hold the secret to my personality?

Your Birthdate: May 31

You're a pretty traditional person. If it's lasted, it's probably good.
You seek stability - both in your career and your romantic relationship.
In return, you're very loyal and predictable. Which is usually a good thing.
Without a partner, you feel lost. Being with someone is very important to you.

Your strength: Your dependability

Your weakness: You hate being alone

Your power color: Midnight blue

Your power symbol: Shell

Your power month: April



Well, I do like stability and it is nice to have Drew around. However, I don't hate being alone. Sometimes, I need to be alone in order to maintain my sanity. So does this birthday personality theory hold any water? Maybe.

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Buckwheat Festival


We traveled to my hometown of Kingwood this past weekend for the annual Buckwheat Festival. My favorite part of the Festival has always been the Fireman's parade on Thursday night. It is the official start of the Festival and has such a great feeling being at night in early fall. Sadly, the weather was NASTY, and we didn't even go to Kingwood until Friday because of it. It was such a cold and icky weekend that the only day we made it the grounds was Saturday for an hour. We got pop what we thought was a buckwheat pillow, but was really a corn pillow, saw some of the exhibits, played the birthday game and ran into a few old friends and family. Chase slept through most of this hour, but did wake up toward the end. He can be very alert raising his head up and looking around. I think he's sad that he didn't get to have any buckwheat cakes. We got to spend time with Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Rob though, so that was nice. Aunt Sisser was also there. Chase was spoiled by all of the attention.