Funny Face

Some of Rylee's goofier photos (the ones I tend to give names to for some reason).

This is her "Grandpa Rinde" photo. I always joke that I (and it looks like Rylee will too) went through a Grandpa Rinde phase as a child. It's something about the Gene Kranz flat top partnered with the toothless grin. (FYI: my Grandpa had teeth so I don't know why that factors in.) I guess it's something in the overall look that says am I a baby girl or an 80 year old man?


This is her (you must say it in a John Wayne drawl) "Howdy Partner" photo. Her hands even look poised to grab her six-shooters if necessary. Nobody messes with Baby Duke!


This one is her (this time say it in a Three Stooges brogue) "Why, I oughta" photo.


Lastly we have her (please sing in your best Grease falsetto) "Tell me more, tell me more!" photo.


That's all for now. No worries though. Since Rylee seems to take more goofy shots than glamor shots, I'm sure I'll have more for you soon enough.

Also FYI: new slideshow (sing it Beyonce style!) to the left. :)

Happy New Year!

Twister

Now putting Rylee down for a nap in the pack-n-play is even more challenging. We've already lowered the mattress so it's only a couple of inches off the floor. Try bending over at the waist and reaching your arms down to practically touch your toes while still holding her cheek to cheek (I'm sure some of you out there know or remember this maneuver well!). Thank goodness I'm tallish and still flexible as it's a pose that would make even the most accomplished yogini proud.

As I was in the middle of this wide stance today with one extricated arm outstretched and placed on the mattress for support and the other trapped under Rylee's bum, my mind's voice said "left arm red." I almost burst out laughing and ruined all my efforts. Then as I was slowly inching the bum trapped arm out whilst trying not to move or startle her, it started to seem more like Operation - don't touch the side or *Buzz* she'll wake up! Again, biting my tongue not to laugh.

Good thing I can have a sense of humor about this. Also good thing that I was an only child and can be so easily amused by myself. :)

Tangled

You know that scene in a movie where a girl wakes up in the arms of a guy she barely knows and then proceeds to very carefully and quietly disentangle herself without waking him up? Earlier tonight, while putting Rylee to sleep, I was living a version of that scene.

As you know Rylee's going to sleep issues continue (once she's asleep, she's a great baby!), thus the transition from arms to crib is becoming very complex. Since she doesn't seem to enjoy the sudden loss of your body heat, I try to keep myself wrapped around her when I place her down. Awkward!

This means both my hands end up trapped underneath her. Then I have to wait, hold my breath while counting to 10, and slowly attempt to slide out one hand. If there is no stirring on her part then I'm a go to repeat the process for removal of hand number two.

If you add the tip toe pattern across the squeaky floor or the sneaky crawl out on hands and knees (I've done this before too), then it really does feel like that movie scene. Except for the fact that I'm fully clothed when making these maneuvers... :)

Excuses, Excuses

Reasons why I haven't blogged...

1) The holiday: enough said.

2) The surprise: one of my best friends since Kindergarten (author of Travelista, Dachshunds Rock, & It's a Dry Heat blogs) and her husband were stopping over in Ft Lauderdale before boarding a week's long cruise, so they decided to surprise me. They sneakily coordinated their trip with my Mom and showed up at my doorstep on Friday. I spent all of Friday and the better part of Saturday talking a mile a minute and laughing hysterically (this is what happens when the two of us get together) while catching up. Better yet, we may get to see them on the return side of their trip as well.

3) Rylee: Two days after her 2 month appointment Rylee turned into an angel and practically stopped exhibiting any signs of discomfort. It was bliss! Two days after her three month appointment and the symptoms (and her crabbiness) started to return. She's been increasingly fussy ever since. It's torture for her, I'm sure, and for us too. She was a HANDFUL today. Don't want to talk about it - I'm trying to de-stress! :)

Too tired to rattle off the rest. Besides I have plans to finish a wicked funny book I'm reading and then get some zzzs.

Zat You, Santa Claus?

Guess I do have time for a cut and paste. :)


Gifts I'm preparin'
For some Christmas sharin'
But I pause because
Hangin' my stockin'
I can hear a knockin'
'Zat you, Santa Claus?

Sure is dark out
Not the slightest spark out
Pardon my clackin' jaws
Uh, who there
Who is it
Uh, stoppin' for a visit
'Zat you, Santa Claus?

Are you bringin' a present for me
Something pleasantly pleasant for me
That's what I've been waitin' for
Would you mind slippin' it under the door?

Four winds are howlin'
Or maybe that be growlin'
My legs feel like straws
Oh my, my, me, my
Kindly would you reply
'Zat you, Santa Claus
Yeah!

Oh hangin' my stockin'
I can hear a knockin'
'Zat you, Santa Claus?

Yeah, say now
Hey there, who is it
Stoppin' for a visit
'Zat you, Santa Claus?

Whoa there Santa you gave me a scare
Now stop teasin' 'cause I know you're there
We don't believe in no goblins today
But I can't explain why I'm shakin' this way.

Well I see old Santa in the keyhole
I'll give to the cause
One peek and I'll try there
Uh-oh there's an eye there
'Zat you, Santa Claus?

Please, please
I pity my knees
Say that's you Santa Claus
That's him alright!


Hope Santa Claus is coming your way tonight. (And that he doesn't scare the bejeezus out of you!)

Merry Christmas "Eve" Eve

I'm sure I'll be too busy to blog these next couple of days so I wanted to wish you all a wonderful holiday early.

Even though my Mom and I decided to have a lean Christmas this year, there are still mountains of gifts to be unwrapped. We both didn't want it to look like a lean Christmas so we wrapped everything separately and with flourish! Plus we have gifts for Rylee so that adds a pile of presents from us, her grandparents, and her cousins that were never there before.

This doesn't even include gifts from Santa which I assume will be numerous since both Rylee and I have been good girls all year. (I might be exaggerating a bit for Rylee. She had better hope Santa takes into consideration her time "in womb" otherwise she could end up on the Naughty List.) Jon will be getting coal. Just kidding!

The point is we can only open gifts when Rylee is either happy or sleeping, so I'm guessing it could take well into the New Year to accomplish! :)

Merry Christmas everyone!
I hope you have an enjoyable holiday with the ones you love, get everything on your Christmas list, and take some time to remember the reason for the season.

Blogger Backup

Baby in da Hood
I've been wanting to post this picture for a while, but I just haven't had time. I love it so much! She looks like a little rapper or a mini Yoda - I can't decide...



50 Cent
I also keep forgetting to post Rylee's 3 month stats: 12 lbs 10 oz and 23.5 inches long per her appointment on the 12th. (She was in the 50th percentile for both.)

"Chew"baca
Rylee is finally starting to chew on her toys and books. I think her tastes must finally be branching out as previously she made an ick face for anything other than her fists. Her fists are still her favorite though. She especially likes to double fist it!

Poop Juice
I had my first poop in the bath experience the other day. Let me clarify: Rylee did the pooping, I just had the unpleasant job of trying to get it out of the water. Needless to say, we had to throw out the bath water (kept the baby though- ha ha) and start over.

Miller High Life
When agreeing to babysit a friend's child make sure he/she is not more well behaved than your own child. Otherwise you will be depressed when they leave. Especially if your attempt to swap the children failed.
(Yes, we babysat Miller. If you can call watching him sleep babysitting. Yes, he was an angel as always. No, we were not able to make the switch. His parents were not liquored up enough to fall for than maneuver. Maybe next time...)

D'oh! Funny
I recently saw a silly Simpson's episode about babies. Maggie loves this Roofi (ie Raffi) guy and Marge takes her to his outdoor concert. It starts to pour and then it turns into a baby Woodstock. There were a couple of quotes that just cracked me up:

Roofi: How's the crowd, Steve?
Steve: Awful fussy…
Roofi: You're kidding me, did you make funny faces? (Steve nods) You did? Did you jiggle your keys?
Steve: I did it all man!
**********

Lou: I don’t feel right clubbing women and children, Chief.
Chief Wiggum: I hear ya. Some days are tougher than others. Just close your eyes and club.
(The babies swarm over the cops, knocking them to the ground)
Chief Wiggum: This is it boys, we’ll have to tummy kiss our way out!