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It appears that at around 7:00PM EST in the state of Virginia one Chase Isaac rolled over of his own accord. This much celebrated event was repeated once to the right and once to the left for a grand total of three rollovers. Following each occurence, his parents cheered with glee from their perch above him. Ever the humble one, Chase did not seem to register the magnitude of this physical act as he seemed a bit confused as to why his mom and dad were standing over him yelling "Yeeaaa" and "Good job". He was, however, very thankful that the camera was nowhere close because he is getting a little tired of the constant flash of the paparrazi's cameras.

It seems that just this very evening Chase's dad had mentioned that more tummy time would be needed in order to reach this holy grail of baby milestones. Upon hearing this decree by the father, the mother suggested that they engage in a little belly action that evening before bed. Neither expected the blessed event to occur on this very first, mandated tummy time since young Master Chase has been under the weather since Thanksgiving. When asked what they attributed their son's masterful feat to, Chase's mother replied, "A mixture of baby Motrin, green beans, and baby slobber--the fuel of champions."

We'll continue covering this story as it unfolds, so stay tuned for further updates. Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

I don't need no stinkin nap

My son is not a nap taker. No matter how tired he may be, he will fight the nap till the bitter end. Usually after 20 minutes of fit taking, the nap gives in and Chase proclaims victory. On those rare occasions when the nap wins, the victory is short lived. 20 minutes of battle followed by a brief 20 minutes of sleep, and my son is up to face the enemy again. I am not to complain though because usually Chase sleeps well through the night. Of course, his dad is on duty during these peaceful nights whereas I get the luck of being clocked in during our child's crusade for a nap-free existence. As they say...what doesn't kill me, only makes me crankier. I'm not so cranky yet that I can't see the humor in the situation though. Behold my child's nap diversion techniques.

Mobile studying.

Blanket wrestling.



Mommy Staring.

This one usually breaks me. You'd give too if he you were faced with those pouty lips and sad eyes. Trust me, their power is beyond anything known to man.

I survived Thanksgiving 2006

As many of you know, we hosted Thanksgiving at our house this year. 18 adults and 2 kids. At my house. Yes, Laura--who only recently took on the whole cooking thing--hosted Thanksgiving dinner for 20 people. Talk about pressure. I enjoy spending the holiday with family and friends, and I personally had a great evening. Judging from the lack of reported food poisonings, I am going to assume that the dinner was a success. As a bonus, my family refused to listen when I told them not to worry about cleaning up the kitchen, so I had very little to do the next day to return my home to its normal state of mild chaos. Unfortunately, I was too busy to remember to take pictures, so the only ones that I have are the ones that Drew took. He tries, but he just doesn't have the patience to get the best shots. Or the desire to annoy people by making them smile and look at the camera. That's ok, I usually annoy people enough for the both of us.

Food Glorious Food!

Chase got his first taste of rice cereal today. At first, he wasn't too keen on the idea as communicated by his constant screaming. Soon though, he began to suck the goo off of his spoon. Once he realized that a new flavor had been found, he began to attack the spoon by enveloping the entire thing within his mouth. Messes were made. Good times were had.

Lakehouse pictures

We went to the lake this past weekend. It is the first time that we have been there since it has undergone it's cosmetic makeover. When we arrived, the power was out, and it was pitch black. Luckily, the designer had put some decorative candles in the living room so we had some light. No water though because it is well water and without electricity the pump can't pump. Despite Andy's very best effort and the sacrifice of 10 matches, we couldn't light a fire because all the wood was wet from the rain they had that week. These inconveniences might have broken normal folks, but not my husband. He was determined to get pictures of the house, so he took pictures in candlelight. He was very excited, standing on stools to get a better angle and everything. The power came on an hour or so later, and he got to see all of the changes and take pictures in the rooms that had no candles. There are still things that need to be done--like get smaller stools because when we bought these, I must have forgotten that people have legs-- but overall we are quite pleased with the transformation. Extreme makeover has nothing on us!

Cool dude

Looks like someone thinks he's too cool for school now that he's 4 months old. What kind of attitude will we see when he hits a year??

Thanks for the memories

My Pop passed away today. He wasn't my Pop by blood, but he was my Pop in love. My own grandfathers died when I was very young, so I never had the chance to get to know them. I did have two grandmothers, but I never had the kind of relationship with them where I was their pride and joy. I am sure they loved me, but visits with them were not centered around me and there wasn't any spoiling of any kind involved. I've always been kind of sad that I didn't get to have that storybook relationship. Lucky for me, I married into a family that had the dream--four living, loving, involved grandparents. Even luckier, they were willing to share it with me.

From the beginning, Gran and Pop welcomed me into their home and hearts. They had a framed family tree with my name on it. Hanging proudly in their front room was a large bridal portrait of me. I was family and that was that. It was a good feeling having these adopted grandparents who treated you as one of their own.

Pop was a character. I don't have a specific favorite memory of Pop--more like a montage of the way I felt around him: at ease, happy, appreciated. Nothing seemed to bother him--he was happy to be who he was, where he was. He was a kid at heart as demonstrated by his love of the Pink Panther and his train set in the basement. It is every kid's dream to have a Pop that plays as enthusiastically as you play.

Ever the entertainer, he regaled the family with stories at dinner that would have us rolling. His sense of humor wasn't sarcastic and not exactly what you would call dry humor, but he could find comedy in the most mundane things. He looked at life like I imagine the stand up comedians of his time did. Often, after he would insert his wit into a conversation, I felt like there should be that "badumbum" sound they play after comics say the punchline of their jokes. I think he would have fit right in on Johnny Carson's show. His humor was something that stuck with him to the very end. It was what made Pop, Pop.

Pop was a creative soul. He worked hard on his bushes, shaping them into a zoo full of animals. He built bird houses and shadow boxes. Always keeping busy, creating and sharing. So in honor of Pop, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite tidbits about his life.

My mom's favorite memory of Pop involves a hot dog. Apparently, when Pop came to WV for Andy's graduation, he was on a restricted diet and wasn't allowed to eat hot dogs under normal circumstances. This day was special though, and he got to have a hot dog. Mom remembers his eyes lighting up as she handed him the plate. He made her feel like the best hostess, and all he got was a simple hot dog. That's the thing about Pop...he made everyone feel good about themselves. That's why everyone loved him so much.

Andy's favorite memories involve going off in the canoe together and going to Phillies games. He also remembers how Pop would make up silly stories and sing them at dinner. He would have the family laughing so hard that they couldn't breathe. I think Andy is a lot like Pop. He has his easy going nature and more than a bit of his humor.

I remember the fish tank with the diver half in the tank and half out. It was so playful, so Pop. I'm sorry that Chase won't get the chance to get to know him. I know he would have loved him just as we do.

Though I never personally heard him say it--I will always think "cheap skin" when I am peeling after a sun burn.

It was a standard joke at holiday dinners for Pop to ask Danielle to pass everything from the salt to the main course. It's become a ritual in our family that Danielle is the official passer at dinners. It is in these memories and traditions that Pop will continue to live on.

Though I only knew Pop for 6 short years, he touched my life in many ways. I am truly thankful for having had the chance to know such a wonderful human being. So, thanks for the memories, Pop. May you forever rest in peace.

Sooo Sad

The dream is over...no national championship for the Mountainers this year. Chase is very
upset as you can see. To ease your pain over this recent devastation, I am including some cute pictures of the noodle. Just my way of reaching out to the long suffering Mountaineer contingent.

Reason #123 why Chase is definitely my son

When I go to training, Jeanne makes me do these back exercises called supermen. Basically, you lay on your belly with your arms straight out over your head and lift up from your waist and your thighs. Looks kinda like you're flying. Get it? Supermen? Flying? Hee hee. You hold this flying position for however long Jeanne feels like torturing you that particular day. Usually for a count of 20 or so. It may not sound like it hurts, but go ahead and try it. Right now, I'll wait.


Kinda hurt huh? Anyway...back to how this relates to Chase. The little bugger is growing and growing and growing. I've tried bricks on his head, but they don't seem to be working. Our tummy time now is spent with him trying to sit up, roll over, or crawl away instead of just laying there like a slug. Now, he looks just like mommy when she is trying to do her supermen. He gets frustrated like mommy too, and then he cries uncle and collapses from the exertion. Just like mommy.

Cute, I am

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.