A Nobly Majestic Good Time

We went to the Royals* game tonight (Jack's first). It was touch and go for a while as it was really humid this evening with no breeze in sight. If it was hot for us, imagine what it was like for The Jackal. Jack did not take too well to the "cheering" for the home town team. But given the fact the Royals are in the midst of an 11 game losing streak**, there wasn't much to cheer for, so he didn't have too many chances to get scared at the loud roars. So at least we had that going for us?

*Get the title now? Noble. Majestic.... Royal(s). Work with me people...

**Despite 12 hits tonight, the Royals couldn't manage enough runs to outlast those pesky Indians. Make that losing streak 12 games.

And just because he is as cute as bug, snug, in a rug...

Fayette Family Fun

Jack's giggles cracked me up tonight. Thanks so much for stopping by!

We hope to see you again SOON!

As Seen On TV!

I have to admit a weakness to write this next post. I love infomercials and usually become very interested in the products. I don't buy much, but I sure do think about the products and get really excited when I see the products on the shelves at Target or WalMart (i.e. the Magic Bullet).

The following item was on an infomercial, but I discovered it at the next best place -- Restoration Hardware. You may be thinking - Lindsey, Restoration Hardware sells bed linens and dresser knobs, not gadgets and games. But, if you frequent the store as much as I do, you would also know about the middle section near the check-out that I call the As-Seen-On-TV-Section :) It's full of interesting items such as: an harmonica and kazoo set, the Oracle Fortune Teller, an old fashioned bike horn, MP3 Sunglasses, Golf Ball Personalizer (John asked for this for his birthday) and my favorite last week - an Everlast Double-Handled Medicine Ball with Boxing DVD set. Who buys this stuff? ME! My last purchase was a set of battery operated Rudolph the Reindeer red noses that blinked. Hilarious!

This past weekend, I purchased a truly amazing item -- The Dryer Balls



I will leave it up to you, the reader, to discover what these little dog chew looking items can offer you, but I will say THEY REALLY WORK* Our dryer takes FOREVER -- we have to restart the machine at least once, if not twice, to get everything dry. But, tonight I threw in my new purchase with a larger-than-normal load and after ONE round on delicate, the clothes were COMPLETELY dry** And, because I did a little research on these dryer balls, I am happy to report that the dryer balls for sale at Restoration Hardware are made of an eco-friendly PVC and not the toxic kind of PVC. Remember, I'm trying to go more green, so this was important :)


*See Mom, I told you so :)

**I used a lot of ALL CAPS to emphasize my amazement and to continue MY running tally of asterisks used in posts. I have to beat John :)

6 years - A Retrospective

I graduated college 6 years ago. Back then, my days generally consisted of waking up around noon, avoiding class and anything else school related like the plague, playing cards and/or video games with friends, finding toxic foods to pour into my body, and not really having to worry about anything other than whether or not I had a clean pair of boxers in my dresser.

I am not sure who originally came up with the following concept (it wasn't me), but it is so right on: We tend to overestimate the changes we will make in the short-term (think 1-3 years), but underestimate the changes that will occur in the long term (think 10 years).

RE: Short-term: I am certainly anxious for short-term progress to happen (like I should be able to make my retirement savings happen in 2 years time -- definitely not patient with respect to things like that). So I think that means that I overestimate the progress I will make in the short term? A lot of my short-term expectations (generally financial) are not overly plausible.

RE: Long-term: Going from year to year in the 6 years that have followed my days at the good ole U of I, it doesn't seem like a lot has changed. I don't really feel like I look or act any different than 6 years ago. Bad and fattening food still quenches my palate more than healthier choices. I still like (love?) fantasy sports and video games*. If you ask Elijah and Matt, I have even been holding the same 12 conversations over and over again for the past 10 years.

But when you look back at the life events I have gone through in the last 6 years, its crazy:
- Met, got engaged and married to Lindsey
- Started and graduated from law school
- Got a cell phone**
- Moved to Kansas City (we have been here 3 years!)
- Bought a house
- Had a baby! (you may have guessed that reading this blog)

Point is, there is no telling what the next 6 years may bring. I can't imagine that they will bring about as many life changing events as the past 6 years, but thats the thing about thing trying to predict long-term - we often underestimate the changes we will see. Here's to the next 6 years being even better than the last!

*Though my skills have thoroughly diminished - Josh Luther couldn't carry my video jock back then, and now I can't even stay within 2 tds of him in a game of NCAA)

**Do you remember the days before cell phones? It wasn't that long ago. Now, even 3rd graders have them. Unbelievable change. Heck, the internet is only about 10 years old for the mainstream world. What did we do before the internet and cell phones?

The Bald and the Beautiful*

*Better than "As the Bald Turns," right?


So Jack has not been blessed with traits that some people may believe necessary for classic good looks... he doesn't really have any hair.** But given the choice between being bald, and hair like this....





Then I say, "Bald is Beautiful!" Classic good looks are so 2006 anyway...


** Well, he kind of has a comb over going on right now, but I think I have talked him into shaving it off. He's got to look his best at the pool, and comb-overs and getting hair wet do not go together like peanut butter and jelly.


If hair is not in the cards for Jack. My only hope is that he can join the illustrious crew below, and become the George Washington to their Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt on Mount Baldmore. Good luck to you son!







***





*** We did watch Star Wars, Episode IV**** - A New Hope this weekend. Still holds up. Jack wasn't quite as excited as I was and fell asleep before Han Solo could tell us he made the Kessell Run in 12 parsecs. Weak sauce.


****Old Espisode I (the original).

Jack Speak

Jack's First Rice Cereal

He did great and made some pretty hilarious faces during the whole process.

The Boys

New Toy

Well...as you can see below (about 3 posts ago), we did some professional 3 month pictures a week or so ago. As with everything in baby-world,* I am consistently amazed at how consistently I am befallen with "sticker-shock." Anyway, after coming out my temporary coma,** I quickly formulated a plan of attack against the baby-picture industry. So, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. It will only take 2 "settings" with this baby to recoup the costs I would otherwise be forced to shell out. You gotta maximize your investment people!!!

We still need somebody to show us how to use it btw...

*Baby-world is a distant 2nd cousin to Surprise-Wedding-Expense-world. You think it is cute, soft, and cuddly, but it can be just a dangerous to your checkbook - its where moms "just want the best for their child."*** Its a no-win proposition entering these two worlds; you just gotta face the facts and mitigate your damages.

**I believe my body did this to itself in one of the self-preservation moves that you see when people are in bad accidents; this was just like that...

***Stolen right out of the "I have been dreaming of this day since I was a little girl" wedding offensive coordinator's playbook.

Wicked Good Night

Mom and JT were in town yesterday, and we attended the national touring production of Wicked. Lindsey and I had previously seen it in Chicago a couple years ago, but that didn't suppress our desire to see it again (you know me and musicals...)* Anyway, it was awesome - full of gooey oz-ian goodness.

Last night also doubled as a "first" for us... we left the Jackal with somebody other than our family, or daycare provider. Lindsey's co-worker/friend Robin was kind enough to watch the little man for the evening, and I am happy to report that both Robin and Jack came out unscathed looking no worse for the wear after the experience! Thanks again Robin - we totally appreciate it! The show didn't get over until around 10PM, which is an hour after Jack's normal bedtime. I thought that we would be in for a long night - considering you don't wake a sleeping baby (its like feeding a bear) if it all possible, but the little guy gave mommy and daddy a nice relaxing night of sleep. Sadly, I think part of the reason Jack is sleeping through the night fairly well right now is because he is self-medicating (read: he is sucking on the back of his hand all night). I am glad he doesn't "need" his pacifier all the time, but I just hope that this hand on mouth thing doesn't become a precursor to "thumb sucking kid."**

*Sadly, it is true. I do so love my musicals. But its cool...I like sports too!

**It's hard to be a world class left-handed pitcher when the thumb of your throwing hand is stuck in your mouth. Just sayin... Not that I have his life planned out at all or anything...just a little guidance.

Mommy and Daddy's Big Adventure

Spirits were both bonded (in Holy Matrimony) and consumed this past weekend. Our good friends Josh and Amanda were married on Saturday in the lovely town of Galena, IL. It also provided the first occasion that Lindsey and I had a weekend together sans the Jackal.

Does anybody else think my arm/hand looks really long and enormous in the picture above?

It was really difficult to leave Jack for the weekend*. Suffice it to say, we have grown attached to our little man.** Further, even though we were leaving Jack with family, it was still taking him out of his element, and we weren't sure how he would respond (which was great btw).

Friday night we turned in from the Rehearsal Dinner at the super late time of 8:50PM (yes, PM) and had some of the most glorious sleep in the history of sleep. Like 8 or 9*** straight hours! Saturday night, our consciences must have felt guilty that Jack wasn't with us, as neither of us slept very well at all. Oh well, 1 for 2. We will take it!

Anyway, it was awesome to catch up with some old friends that we haven't got see for years (literally in a lot of cases). It is amazing to see how some things change (ie. hair going gray, having kids, getting married) and how some things never change (1st picture above). And that is how things should be... and will hopefully stay. Good times. Good times indeed. Congrats and Best Wishes to Josh and Amanda; wonderful wedding.

PS - Happy (belated) Mother's Day Lindsey!****

*Even though Dennis and Sue did an admirable job filling our extremely large shoes.

**How could you not? Did you see those pictures below? Hello modeling agency, Daddy has a new meal-ticket idea...

***Coincidentally, 8 or 9 straight hours is a mid-afternoon nap for Uncle Kyle*****.

****I know what you are thinking - "How could he not wish her a happy Mother's Day on the correct day?" Well, to that I say this: "Back off! We were traveling!" At least the congratulations came before her gift.******

*****Incidentally, Kyle may be the perfect compliment to our parenting. He is graduating next Saturday (congrats by the way!), and is probably in need of a job. He doesn't get up until 2 or 3 in the afternoon, and he doesn't go to bed until about 6AM. He could definitely handle the early morning shift with Jack******* since he is usually just hitting his stride at that time. Hmmmm....

******Which will (hopefully) be here by Friday. Sadly this is true. I guess they mean it when they say "2-3 weeks for shipping."

*******Hopefully, Jack likes Kyle more than Buddy does; Buddy hates Kyle and his clown-sized******** feet. No joke.

********Actually, I have the same sized feet as Kyle; I just needed a good descriptive word and I am really gunning for the most asterisks********* in a post award. Win Win. Vote for ME!!!

*********Admittedly, this is getting obscene, but its so fun once you start...

Happy 3 Months, Jack!

Sad State of Affairs...

I may have reached a new low. While I've never been coined a culinary sensation, I have always prided myself on a tasty chocolate chip cookie or a filling egg casserole every now and again. This evening I realized I have so much to learn.* As I was searching through the appliance cabinet in search of our food processor,** I discovered the following item:





I have NO idea what this item may be. It looks like it may blend or chop something, but I really fear the sharp blades until I know what its true purpose is.....I'm sure my mom (a.k.a. Nana) will be the first to call with an answer. I believe I received this item as a wedding gift and thought at the time how handy it would make my kitchen adventures. Laughingly, I probably wrote in a thank you something to the effect "thank you for the wonderful _____, I'm sure John and I will put it to good use making some yummy ______." I'm sure I have some other unused items sitting in the kitchen, but I'm pretty sure this is the only one I don't know how to use :)***






*Becoming a mother to a boy makes me want to be better at a lot of things -- throwing a football, not squirming at creatures in the yard, riding bikes, scoring a baseball game, and cooking yummy foods for all the men in my life. I may have set my expectations a little high but I really think I can be a hip soccer mom :)


**I have become obsessed with going "green" Maybe this too is because I've become a mom and want the very best for my little sweet pea, but I also it would make us better people. We've started recycling a lot more and I've even made some homemade cleaners using vinegar and baking soda. But, my biggest goal is to make as much homemade baby food as possible. Thus, the need for my food processor --- which sparked this entire project of cleaning out the appliance cabinet and coming across the white plastic blender type thingy above....


***I just had to use astericks like my husband. We are too gosh darn competitive. And for all of those who really know my husband, you can only imagine what his question was for me when I said I wanted to go more "green." How much is this going to cost?

Bumbo Baby (and Daddy)

Bathtime