Bits and Pieces

1. A few people have asked where Ian's Halloween pics are this year, but we don't have any. My Grandmother's funeral actually fell on Halloween, and after travel, the funeral, lunch, and spending time with immediate and extended family, we were too tired to do the trick or treating thing. We went back to my parent's house to hand out candy to the kids in their neighborhood. Initially I was feeling pretty guilty about not getting Ian dressed up, but that guilt pretty much disappeared when I realized how much fun he was having handing out candy and playing with the kids that came to my parent's door. The blogger Momma in me almost whipped out the camera to take pictures, but I made a conscious decision not to. I think sometimes in an effort to document what's going on, I actually miss the opportunity to experience what is going on, so I decided not to take any pictures and just be. Hopefully, that makes sense.

2. In an effort to become an even bigger narcissist I joined facebook, and now my worlds are colliding. You do remember that Seinfeld episode, right? If not, let George Costanza refresh your memory.
I have friends from high school, college, the church I grew up in as a kid, and the church I attend now all "gathered" in the same "location". It's enough to give me a headache.
Oh, and what's the deal with people I don't know sending me a friend request just because we have mutual friends? Dude! I don't know you. Why do we need to be virtual friends? I don't get it. And even more importantly, what happens if someone remembers you and sends you a friend request, but you don't really remember them. What do you do then? Ugh, it's too much pressure. This can't be good for my health.


3. Last week (or the week before, I can't quite remember) I was in the kitchen and Ian was in the living room. The TV was playing a recording of a NBA basketball game. After a minute or two of watching the game, Ian picked up the remote, brought it to me so I could change the channel, and when I inquired about what he wanted to watch, he said "Football". I could hear Dan's smile all the way in the other room.

Remembering my Grandma

Some people have their wedding rehearsal dinners at big fancy restaurants. Dan and I had ours at my Grandma's house.

Lots of people have their child's first birthday celebration in their own home. Ian had (one of) his at my Grandma's house.

Christmas, Easter, New Years, Fish Frys, Barbecues, do you know where the family gathered? Yep, at Grandma's house.

And now, so suddenly, so unexpectedly, my Grandma is no longer at Grandma's house.

Instead, she is in a house far more grand, far more precious, and far more permanent than her earthly home.

Instead of being at Grandma's house, she is now in the Father's house, and that simple thought can make me smile even when I find myself misty-eyed.

She was one of a kind, was deeply loved, and will be greatly missed

Let the 15 minutes begin

Yesterday was the annual NICU Reunion at the hospital where Ian was born. While we were enjoying the festivities, we were interviewed by the local news. You can check it out here:

Video Link


P.S. Sorry for the external link. I didn't see the code on their site to embed the video on the page and I didn't feel like trying to figure it out.

Road Trip Pics

The week before last we took a week off from work, loaded up the kid and went out on the road for a vacation. We didn't venture outside of Texas, but we had a good time. Here are a few of my favorite pics (click to enlarge).


Dan and Ian on the beach in Galveston



Ian hiding from us outside The Aquarium restaurant in Kemah.
I can't look at this picture without laughing



Eating ice cream at the Blue Bell plant in Brenham


Funny story: We were visiting some friends in Houston when a very tired Ian decided he needed a nap. After a few minutes of effort, he pulled a cushion off of their couch, placed it on the floor, and passed out.



You see that face? That is Ian's irritated face.
He was having quite the time chasing his new found friends around the park in Georgetown. So when his pesky Momma finally caught up with him and asked him to pose for a picture, he was not happy :)

Why didn't I try this sooner?

I had a definite "Duh!" moment today.

I was preparing dinner (meatloaf was on the menu tonight) with my assistant chef, when I realized I hadn't grabbed the breadcrumbs from the pantry. As I turned to walk into the pantry, I glanced at the counter and saw an almost empty bread bag on the counter. There were two end pieces left in the bag.

I'll admit it. I'm a discriminating bread eater. As a general rule I don't eat the ends of bread. On occasion I'll eat an open faced sandwich using the end, but it's very rare. There you have it. Sometimes the truth is ugly.

Anyway, probably inspired by some show on the food network in my subconscious, I decided to use the leftover ends to make breadcrumbs.
I grabbed my cheap Hamilton Beach food chopper, tore the bread into pieces, put the lid on, and turned it on high for, oh I don't know, 30 seconds or so. And then an amazing thing happened.

Right before my very eyes I had breadcrumbs.

Whole wheat breadcrumbs.

Breadcrumbs that probably cost all of .25 cents

So can anyone tell me why I've been spending 3 bucks a pop on store bought breadcrumbs? Anyone? No I didn't think so.

Oh, and you know what else I did? I added some Italian seasoning, a pinch of sea salt, and voilà, seasoned breadcrumbs.

It's the little things in life I tell ya. The little things

Things that make you say "Aww"

Yesterday morning after washing Ian's face, I began the not too terrible task of brushing his teeth. Oddly enough he loves to brush and have his teeth brushed, he's weird that way. About halfway through I noticed that he was trying to say something I couldn't quite make out. "What are you trying to say Pooh?", I inquired as I removed the toothbrush from his mouth. He looked at me, and with a very serious expression, yelled out "HUG!", and then quickly threw his arms around my neck and gave me a tight squeeze. As I returned the embrace of my little one I was overcome with the warm mushy feeling, as I call it.

"Thank you Ian. That was so sweet." I said, as I gave him a kiss on the cheek. He smiled his cheesy little smile, and as I went to finish brushing his teeth, he decided to bless me with 3 additional hugs, each time yelling out "HUG!" right before.

So there you have it folks. Another story that may not mean a whole lot to you, but means the world to me.



photo from hien_it

When Mom is away...

The boys will play

Hey Mom, did you know I could climb a 6ft ladder all by myself?

Hey Mom, you know how you won't let me stand in the swing? Dad will, and it's fun.

I mean REALLY REALLY fun!