Holding onto Great-Grandpa's hand
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Indianapolis - Take 2
Wow! Didn’t I say I was going to update more often? Our life has finally settled into a routine of sorts, so needless to say…I’ve been busy! The weekend after going to the lake, we headed up to Indiana to see Mapgeek’s extended family. This is the trip we attempted in November, but had to reschedule due to sick family. MLK weekend, so we didn’t have to take any precious time off. We left Friday afternoon and went to Nashville and spent the night in our favorite Holiday Inn Express (hello wifi!). Had our Krystal’s and Guinness date, though Babygirl wasn’t as accommodating this time. She gets distracted trying to sleep with Mommy and Daddy trying to watch TV or surfing the web. We got up early Saturday and drove the rest of the way to Indianapolis.
We got there in time for a late lunch with Mapgeek’s grandparents, which is who we were there primarily to see. Luckily, Mapgeek’s uncle and aunt were there to go to lunch with us at the very close-by Mexican place. It’s interesting that as our favorite relatives get elderly, the more nervous we are about transporting them. Especially with Babygirl. We are especially grateful that there are relatives there, used to the situation, that can make time for us too. We headed back to our next favorite Holiday Inn Express to let Babygirl nap. Then back to the grandparents for an evening hello. Needless to say, Saturday was busy. Sunday was even more so….
We got up and took breakfast to Mapgeek’s Grandparents. From there, we drove the hour+ out to Terre Haute to visit the family farm. Babygirl got to play with her older cousins and we got to visit the aunts and uncle. Babygirl LOVED playing with the girl cousins. Seems like she’s around boys much more often. From Terre Haute, we drove the hour and a half back through Indianapolis to Franklin to see the other aunt and uncle and cousins. Also a good time. Then back in the car yet again to drive the 45 minutes back to the hotel. Lots of car time. Babygirl was a trooper as always. We fed her at the appropriate times and she took her naps in the car in between stops. I think we might have the hang of this. We all slept great that night.
Monday, we ate breakfast again with Mapgeek’s Grandparents and the hit the road for the 9 hour trip home. We were worried that Babygirl was going to be hard to travel with for 9 hours straight. But, she was even better on the way home, then she was from Nashville to Indiana! We stopped periodically to walk around and she seemed to sleep a good portion of the way. Kudos to the Britax carseat! Did I mention before that Babygirl outgrew her infant seat? I wasn’t expecting to buy another carseat at 6 months, but after finally figuring out how to install it, it is working out great!
Well, we made our first of many long car trips and survived. Next up….an airplane ride to Vegas in March. Not sure how that’s going to work with all the baby gear…
We got there in time for a late lunch with Mapgeek’s grandparents, which is who we were there primarily to see. Luckily, Mapgeek’s uncle and aunt were there to go to lunch with us at the very close-by Mexican place. It’s interesting that as our favorite relatives get elderly, the more nervous we are about transporting them. Especially with Babygirl. We are especially grateful that there are relatives there, used to the situation, that can make time for us too. We headed back to our next favorite Holiday Inn Express to let Babygirl nap. Then back to the grandparents for an evening hello. Needless to say, Saturday was busy. Sunday was even more so….
We got up and took breakfast to Mapgeek’s Grandparents. From there, we drove the hour+ out to Terre Haute to visit the family farm. Babygirl got to play with her older cousins and we got to visit the aunts and uncle. Babygirl LOVED playing with the girl cousins. Seems like she’s around boys much more often. From Terre Haute, we drove the hour and a half back through Indianapolis to Franklin to see the other aunt and uncle and cousins. Also a good time. Then back in the car yet again to drive the 45 minutes back to the hotel. Lots of car time. Babygirl was a trooper as always. We fed her at the appropriate times and she took her naps in the car in between stops. I think we might have the hang of this. We all slept great that night.
Monday, we ate breakfast again with Mapgeek’s Grandparents and the hit the road for the 9 hour trip home. We were worried that Babygirl was going to be hard to travel with for 9 hours straight. But, she was even better on the way home, then she was from Nashville to Indiana! We stopped periodically to walk around and she seemed to sleep a good portion of the way. Kudos to the Britax carseat! Did I mention before that Babygirl outgrew her infant seat? I wasn’t expecting to buy another carseat at 6 months, but after finally figuring out how to install it, it is working out great!
Well, we made our first of many long car trips and survived. Next up….an airplane ride to Vegas in March. Not sure how that’s going to work with all the baby gear…
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Be jealous all ye city slickers
So I’m writing this from the comfort of the lake house. We loaded up the family (2 parents, 1 kid, 1 dog) in the car on Friday and drove the 3 hours up to Tennessee. It’s so quiet up here. I got all bundled up this morning to take the dog out. It was almost dawn, so it was just barely light. It was so quiet that I thought I my hat was on down over my ears blocking out the sound. When I took off my hat, I realized that there wasn’t ANY sounds. No birds, crickets, the waves on the shore. Nothing. And then the next door neighbor coughed and scared the bejeezus out of me. He was on his back porch, sipping on his coffee, looking at the lake. A true Maxwell House moment. What a life.
The house itself is awesome. It’s on Watts Bar Lake just outside of Kingston. Since Granddaddy P lives here during the week, the house never gets that vacant, dusty, dead bugs in the sink kind of feel. It’s a 3-bedroom, 2-bath log cabin that’s only a few years old. The kitchen is huge and has tons of counter space and nice appliances. Plus, my parents have stocked it with all the comforts of home. Coffee maker, satellite, wireless network. You know, all the typical things you think of when you think “log cabin”.
TVA controls the lake and dams, so the lake is low for the winter. Where the house is, the yard and lake bed gently slopes down. When the lake level is low, the water recedes a pretty good distance and the docks are all out of water. So no fishing. And I was so looking forward sitting out on the dock in 30-degree weather waiting for a fish to nibble.
Mapgeek and I brought our computers (obviously, since I’m writing from here), and got some good gaming time. And we cooked and ate and grilled and ate some more. Babygirl had fun in the wide open floors with the toys we brought and also got to chase the dog. The dog is the only one that didn’t seem to have fun. He gets so picky about eating in a strange place. I think that we’ll be back up here soon. I hope. I’m looking forward to the spring when we can enjoy the outdoors.
The house itself is awesome. It’s on Watts Bar Lake just outside of Kingston. Since Granddaddy P lives here during the week, the house never gets that vacant, dusty, dead bugs in the sink kind of feel. It’s a 3-bedroom, 2-bath log cabin that’s only a few years old. The kitchen is huge and has tons of counter space and nice appliances. Plus, my parents have stocked it with all the comforts of home. Coffee maker, satellite, wireless network. You know, all the typical things you think of when you think “log cabin”.
TVA controls the lake and dams, so the lake is low for the winter. Where the house is, the yard and lake bed gently slopes down. When the lake level is low, the water recedes a pretty good distance and the docks are all out of water. So no fishing. And I was so looking forward sitting out on the dock in 30-degree weather waiting for a fish to nibble.
Mapgeek and I brought our computers (obviously, since I’m writing from here), and got some good gaming time. And we cooked and ate and grilled and ate some more. Babygirl had fun in the wide open floors with the toys we brought and also got to chase the dog. The dog is the only one that didn’t seem to have fun. He gets so picky about eating in a strange place. I think that we’ll be back up here soon. I hope. I’m looking forward to the spring when we can enjoy the outdoors.
Friday, December 30, 2005
Ah, where to begin...
I hope everyone had a great Christmas! We certainly did. Best one ever! Busy, busy, busy though. Babygirl was a trooper through it all, though she was completely worn out every night.
Babygirl had her 6 month checkup a couple weeks ago. Still long and lean, but healthy and a very happy little baby. She entertained the doctor with her toe sucking trick, all while the doctor was trying to talk to me. Slurrrrrp! The big item that came out of the checkup is that Babygirl has outgrown her infant seat (she’s too tall for it). Huge shock for Mapgeek and I who were not expecting to invest in a new car seat for a few more months. So, I bought a new seat that was recommended by many and now we can’t figure out how to install it to our satisfaction. And no, fire departments don’t install car seats anymore. Liability of course.
Babygirl is also crawling! Full on, pedal to the metal, get out of my way, CRAWLING. Not only that, she also pulls herself up. So we’ve also had the big investment of a gate for the top of the stairs and the Superyard XT, which is a bunch of gates linked together that you can form a circle with (like a playpen). In our case, I stretched it from one wall, across the fireplace and TV (including cords) to the other wall. Makes a nice Babygirl barrier and she loves to pull up on it and watch the fire or the TV. I love this thing!
So that’s our biggest news for the moment, though I have tons more to write about. It will have to wait until another time.
Happy New Year’s!!
Babygirl had her 6 month checkup a couple weeks ago. Still long and lean, but healthy and a very happy little baby. She entertained the doctor with her toe sucking trick, all while the doctor was trying to talk to me. Slurrrrrp! The big item that came out of the checkup is that Babygirl has outgrown her infant seat (she’s too tall for it). Huge shock for Mapgeek and I who were not expecting to invest in a new car seat for a few more months. So, I bought a new seat that was recommended by many and now we can’t figure out how to install it to our satisfaction. And no, fire departments don’t install car seats anymore. Liability of course.
Babygirl is also crawling! Full on, pedal to the metal, get out of my way, CRAWLING. Not only that, she also pulls herself up. So we’ve also had the big investment of a gate for the top of the stairs and the Superyard XT, which is a bunch of gates linked together that you can form a circle with (like a playpen). In our case, I stretched it from one wall, across the fireplace and TV (including cords) to the other wall. Makes a nice Babygirl barrier and she loves to pull up on it and watch the fire or the TV. I love this thing!
So that’s our biggest news for the moment, though I have tons more to write about. It will have to wait until another time.
Happy New Year’s!!
Monday, December 19, 2005
I'm ethnic!!
My ethnically enhanced global village name is Aneko Chiyo.
Take The Global Village Multi Culti Name Generator today!
Created with Rum and Monkey's Name Generator Generator.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Remembering Pearl Harbor
As we're on the anniversary of this significant event in our history, I just wanted to remind you all to remember those at Pearl Harbor. Please look through the link above to refresh your memory about all the men and women that fought so hard to keep the world free. Thank you!!
Never forget...
Never forget...
Monday, December 05, 2005
What exactly is a "Holiday Tree"?
A great op-ed piece from Mike Adams (UNCW professor) appeared in Townhall today. It seems that my beloved Auburn had a "Holiday Tree" lighting this past weekend. *sigh* I'm VERY disappointed in our current SGA (student government association) for allowing this nonsense.
HOWEVER...
Several members of the SGA at Auburn spearheaded a movement to counter this by putting a resolution out. And, rather than me attempting to vent my disappointment and then getting more and more ticked over political correctness (don't EVEN get me going), I thought I'd share the resolution since it says it all (and in a nice manner). I'm inserting this below for those that don't want to follow the link.
RESOLUTION
Whereas, a decorated tree is the traditional, historical symbol of Christmas; and
Whereas, the Christmas tree is a decorated tree celebrating and symbolizing the historical Christmas season; and
Whereas, a tree has historically been known as a Christmas Tree in the State of Alabama, the United States of America and around the world; and
Whereas, the tree has historically been known as a Christmas Tree on Auburn’s campus; and
Whereas, calling the tree a Christmas Tree preserves historical correctness and embraces religious diversity; and
Whereas, in pursuit of Auburn’s spirit of diversity and tolerance of differing ideals, the Student Government Association Student Senate maintains that traditional symbols, religious and otherwise should not be suppressed; and
Whereas, labeling a Christmas Tree as a “Holiday Tree” appears to be religiously intolerant toward those who celebrate Christmas; and
Whereas, the University Administration and the Student Government Association have promoted a spirit of diversity and religious tolerance on campus; and
Whereas, the name of the tree is not a legal issue rather an issue of preference and historicity; and
Whereas, even the display of a manger scene by a government body has been held to be constitutional to celebrate Christmas and its origins;
Therefore be it Resolved, that the Auburn University Student Government Association Student Senate recognizes the decorated tree on campus during the Christmas holiday season by its historical name of “Christmas Tree”; and
Therefore, Be it Further Resolved, that the decorated tree re-labeled a “Holiday Tree” be properly reinstated with its original, historical, traditional, intended, and common title and identified for what it actually is, a “Christmas Tree.”
War Eagle! and Merry Christmas!
HOWEVER...
Several members of the SGA at Auburn spearheaded a movement to counter this by putting a resolution out. And, rather than me attempting to vent my disappointment and then getting more and more ticked over political correctness (don't EVEN get me going), I thought I'd share the resolution since it says it all (and in a nice manner). I'm inserting this below for those that don't want to follow the link.
RESOLUTION
Whereas, a decorated tree is the traditional, historical symbol of Christmas; and
Whereas, the Christmas tree is a decorated tree celebrating and symbolizing the historical Christmas season; and
Whereas, a tree has historically been known as a Christmas Tree in the State of Alabama, the United States of America and around the world; and
Whereas, the tree has historically been known as a Christmas Tree on Auburn’s campus; and
Whereas, calling the tree a Christmas Tree preserves historical correctness and embraces religious diversity; and
Whereas, in pursuit of Auburn’s spirit of diversity and tolerance of differing ideals, the Student Government Association Student Senate maintains that traditional symbols, religious and otherwise should not be suppressed; and
Whereas, labeling a Christmas Tree as a “Holiday Tree” appears to be religiously intolerant toward those who celebrate Christmas; and
Whereas, the University Administration and the Student Government Association have promoted a spirit of diversity and religious tolerance on campus; and
Whereas, the name of the tree is not a legal issue rather an issue of preference and historicity; and
Whereas, even the display of a manger scene by a government body has been held to be constitutional to celebrate Christmas and its origins;
Therefore be it Resolved, that the Auburn University Student Government Association Student Senate recognizes the decorated tree on campus during the Christmas holiday season by its historical name of “Christmas Tree”; and
Therefore, Be it Further Resolved, that the decorated tree re-labeled a “Holiday Tree” be properly reinstated with its original, historical, traditional, intended, and common title and identified for what it actually is, a “Christmas Tree.”
War Eagle! and Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Turkeys and stuff
Well, we tried to go to Indianapolis to visit Mapgeek’s extended family (two grandparents, three uncles, two aunts from both sides of the family). We left the Friday night before Turkey Day to make it to Nashville (half way) for the night. Four hours later, we pulled into a hotel north of Nashville and got a phone call informing us that part of the family was sick. Seriously enough to not want to get Babygirl involved. Sooooooooo, we had a cozy night in a Holiday Inn Express, complete with wi-fi, a six-pack of Guinness, and a six-pack of Krystals. And we came home on Saturday. Long way for a much needed pseudo-date. We’re rescheduling for January and greatly looking forward to introducing Babygirl to her family.
Turkey Day was yummy, of course. Lunch was at my parents house. The whole gang including my siblings, Mapgeek’s parents and siblings, and all the spouses came. It’s fun having everyone there. It’s like a big traditional pilgrim-fest rather than just a few people, though it’s a lot of work. Luckily, my brother shopped with Mom P and convinced her to get a 20-lb bird. It was HUGE! I should have taken a picture.
The rest of our much needed long weekend was spent painting the 2-story foyer in our house. Borrowed an extension ladder and another folding-type ladder thing AND a power roller from my I-own-every-power-tool-and-anything-else-you-can-think-of dad. Power rollers rule. Especially if you’re two stories up and trying to paint a large expanse of drywall. Still took us two whole days. I think we’re going to take a break from painting for a while.
Whew. I need a beer just talking about it.
Turkey Day was yummy, of course. Lunch was at my parents house. The whole gang including my siblings, Mapgeek’s parents and siblings, and all the spouses came. It’s fun having everyone there. It’s like a big traditional pilgrim-fest rather than just a few people, though it’s a lot of work. Luckily, my brother shopped with Mom P and convinced her to get a 20-lb bird. It was HUGE! I should have taken a picture.
The rest of our much needed long weekend was spent painting the 2-story foyer in our house. Borrowed an extension ladder and another folding-type ladder thing AND a power roller from my I-own-every-power-tool-and-anything-else-you-can-think-of dad. Power rollers rule. Especially if you’re two stories up and trying to paint a large expanse of drywall. Still took us two whole days. I think we’re going to take a break from painting for a while.
Whew. I need a beer just talking about it.
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