It's Curtains for Us

Yep, Big Boy finally bought that drill and hung curtain rods! Today he is working on the pictures and shelves. Piglet's room finally looks complete. It is great to finally get the curtains off the kitchen table (I left them there as a reminder that they needed to be hung!). I know, I am a liberated girl and I could have purchased the drill and hung the dang rods myself. However, I have a little problem - I don't do straight, level lines very well. I also have issues with centering. Apparently it is due to the astigmatism in my eyes. At least that is the excuse I like to use. Everything I hang ends up, well, um, cockeyed! Seriously, even the dogs can tell it is crooked. Big Boy is much more precise with these things. Plus, since I did most of the painting and all of the unpacking (400 tagged items!) I think the least of his household contributions should be curtain rod hanging. I usually help out by standing behind him and telling him how *studly* he looks with the drill. Ah, it is a great way to end the year!

Here is Piglet's 1-month photo. He has changed so much since birth. Seriously, I didn't think he would change this much. We *weighed* him on our scale at home by first weighing ourselves (a number I never wanted to see!) and then weighing holding him - Big Boy came up with 12 pounds and I came up with 11. We figure he is actually around 10. Yep, he's a porker. Most of his weight is in his belly and cheeks. I keep telling him that he looks like Marlon Brando. I tried combing his hair into a little mohawk but it is too fine yet. Maybe if I used some gel...

This will be the last post of 2006. What a wild and crazy year it has been! Happy New Year to all and to all a GOODNIGHT!

Men - Can't Live With Them, Can't Kill Them.

It never fails, just as I am contemplating where to bury his body, Big Boy does something nice. I haven’t been able to sleep since we got home. The other night I was awake until 4:00 a.m., contemplating the complexities of the adult child/parent relationships, and whether or not Avant-Garde Molecular Gastronomy is the cause of this hairstyle . Anyway, I was exhausted Tuesday and only got in about a 20-minute nap. That night Big Boy not only watched Piglet so I could take a bubble bath but he took both the 1:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. feedings so I could sleep. Actually, I didn’t even hear him cry! That night I mentioned that I can’t wait for Piglet to turn six weeks so I can put him in hourly care at the Child Development Center and get back to the gym. So, after our appointment on base yesterday Big Boy brought Piglet home so I could go to the gym. And, today he is going to watch him in the afternoon so I can go shopping before knitting. Now I can’t kill him!

I got in a little knitting yesterday. I only have two weeks to finish up sock No. 2. I guess having a deadline will motivate me to actually work on it. My yarn for Piglet’s Christmas stocking arrived yesterday. Thankfully, I have a whole year to finish it! I have decided that my Lady Eleanor will have to be in two colors since I can’t find a variegated that I really like. I think it will be done in the Baby Cashmere or Baby Silk from Elann. Both are so soft and yummy. I can’t decide if I want to do a black/white combo or a brown/white combo. I think I want it to be neutral so I can wear it with just about anything. I wanted to use the new silk/cashmere offering but all the colors sold out before I could make up my mind.

Playing 'Possum

For me the hardest part of the middle of the night feedings is trying to get back to sleep after. I often lay awake for an hour or so. Last night I was exhausted so I headed to bed about 9:30 (Egads! That's old people time!) and took Baxter with me. I couldn't get to sleep - Big Boy making formula echoed through the house, Piglet was fussing and the dogs were restless. Baxter kept asking to go outside. At around 10:30 the bedroom door flew open and Big Boy came rushing in. He told me that Baxter could not go outside yet because this guywas in the backyard. He saw Calvin getting antsy in the living room and then heard a scratching on the back door. He knew it wasn't any of the dogs so he went over to check it out. Mr. Opossum was tapping on the glass asking to come in. I guess he figured out that Calvin was not an ally and scampered off. Welcome to the Suburban Jungle. We've seen Over the Hedge, we know he was just looking for a little Christmas snack. Calvin has a habit of *burying* food in the back yard. I put it this way because what he really does is scratch a 1" hole, drop in about 3 kibbles of food and then attempt to cover it with his snout. He does this in case the day comes when we neglect to feed him. Last night I caught him hiding his treasure in some leaves so I have no doubt his little friend came in search of the cache.

Playing 'Possum

For me the hardest part of the middle of the night feedings is trying to get back to sleep after. I often lay awake for an hour or so. Last night I was exhausted so I headed to bed about 9:30 (Egads! That's old people time!) and took Baxter with me. I couldn't get to sleep - Big Boy making formula echoed through the house, Piglet was fussing and the dogs were restless. Baxter kept asking to go outside. At around 10:30 the bedroom door flew open and Big Boy came rushing in. He told me that Baxter could not go outside yet because this guywas in the backyard. He saw Calvin getting antsy in the living room and then heard a scratching on the back door. He knew it wasn't any of the dogs so he went over to check it out. Mr. Opossum was tapping on the glass asking to come in. I guess he figured out that Calvin was not an ally and scampered off. Welcome to the Suburban Jungle. We've seen Over the Hedge, we know he was just looking for a little Christmas snack. Calvin has a habit of *burying* food in the back yard. I put it this way because what he really does is scratch a 1" hole, drop in about 3 kibbles of food and then attempt to cover it with his snout. He does this in case the day comes when we neglect to feed him. Last night I caught him hiding his treasure in some leaves so I have no doubt his little friend came in search of the cache.

An Update

We are finally home! Actually, we got home on Saturday night but I haven’t really had a chance to blog. We spent a week in San Antonio and leaving was as hard the second time as the first. We spent the time seeing friends and giving everyone their baby fix. Piglet was a trouper and happily let everyone hold him. He was also fantastic on his plane rides and everyone commented on the well-behaved, quiet baby. He still has his claim tags on his stroller so that everyone will know he is a world traveler. Since our house had sold Big Boy spent time making some small repairs and filling in Annabelle’s big hole where she would lay during the heat. The house is officially no longer ours and I have to face the reality of living in Virginia.

Piglet is adjusting to sleeping in his new big bed. We had to buy him a Snuggle Nest so the bed would feel snugger but at least he is out of his car seat. He is starting to fill out and every day I find a new roll. I think he is going through a growth spurt because he is sucking down food faster than the dogs! At 4:00 a.m. it feels like we have been doing this for two years! We are going for pictures on Saturday – I hope our box with his Santa Suit gets here today! The suit was a gift from a friend and it is sooooo cute! It comes with a little hat and even little black feet that look like boots.

The dogs are trying to adjust to their new housemate. Annabelle liked him right away and she loves to give him kisses. Calvin is starting to like him but he isn’t crazy about the crying. Yesterday he started barking when Piglet cried. He also likes to help out with the diaper changes. I have my thoughts on why, and they are disgusting! Baxter is not as enthused. He loves his status of Baby Baxter. Last night Big Boy sat on the floor holding Piglet and had Baxter sniff him. Baxter promptly turned around and laid his head on me. He has cornered the market on pouting. He is doing a little better today and even ran over to give Piglet a kiss this afternoon. I think we will take Baxter and Piglet to see the lights on the VA Beach boardwalk some night this week.

Christmas at Casa Knotty is going to be low key this year. No tree, no stockings, no mistletoe. Next year we will go all out! I have just ordered the yarn to make Piglet’s stocking. The pattern is from Vogue Knitting Holiday and it will be done in Baby Silk from Elann, in Parchment. Big Boy says the pattern is just fine for a boy and not at all girly. I have finished one sock and have to start on the other. Big Boy is feeling a little obligated to give gifts to his family when them arrive in a few weeks so I have to get them finished. I also have some warshrags, soap, hand towel and scarf for MIL. The scarf that was for my *niece* may go to SIL instead. Next up is a blanket for our former neighbors. They have been so good to keep an eye on the house and even feed us when we were in town. I think I will use a basketweave pattern and the Swish from Knitpicks – it’s washable!

The Sixth Wonder of Memes

Ever wonder if I have six weird things in my life? Well, Janna tagged me for this meme so apparently I do!

“THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the '6 weird things about you.' People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says ‘you are tagged’ in their comments and tell them to read your blog.”

1. This sort of goes with my quirky meme but... I alphabetize my spices. It just makes sense! When I need Paprika, I know to look under "P".

2. I use two toothbrushes; one for day and one for night. I hate sticking a wet toothbrush into my mouth so one gets to dry out while I use the other.

3. I like crime fighting shows - COPS, Dog The Bounty Hunter, Dallas SWAT... you get the drift. I have no idea why I like these shows. I guess because the good guy usually wins and that so rarely happens in life.

4. I will finish a crappy book. I feel guilty for having purchased it so I feel like I am obligated to finish. Plus, I keep hoping it will get better - it never does.

5. When I meet someone the first thing I notice is their teeth. If they have bad teeth I have a hard time talking to them. You can call me vain, I don't care!

6. I wear high heels all the time. I only own one pair of flat shoes and I have a hard time walking in them. Big Boy laughs at how I can run in 3" heels but can't cross the driveway in flats without tripping.

I'm not going to tag anyone in particular because it is such a busy time. If you want to play, have at it.

He's Here!

I know you have all been waiting on pins and needles and I apologize for the delay. Here is M.B.A. I am still trying to figure out what I will call him in blog world. I haven’t posted photos because I was waiting until all of the legalities were taken care of and I was sure he was sticking around. We are still waiting on approval to travel to Texas and we expect it to come on Friday. We would love to be able to fly out of Nebraska on Saturday but it really will depend on the cost of our plane tickets. It is so freaking cold here! We have been here for two weeks now.

We arrived in Omaha on Thanksgiving Day. We had a turkey sandwich in the airport and had our starches and dessert at Mickey D’s with French Fries and Apple Pies, once we arrived in Omaha. We headed to Lincoln on Saturday and met with our birthmother (A), her daughter (A2) and a friend. It was nice to get to know them and A2 is the cutest three year old! She quickly warmed up to Big Boy and went over the moon when he taught her how to thumb wrestle.

On Monday A was induced and we waited. And we waited. And we waited. By the time Tuesday morning rolled around and there was still no action the Dr. broke her water. M.B.A. was born at 2:02. He weighed 8 pounds 3 ounces and had the fattest cheeks! A held him first while the rest of us passed the tissue box around. Her mom had been there with us for the two days and it was so nice to get to know everyone. I think it secured their decision that we were the right family. The hospital staff was fantastic! They treated us all as equal parents and consulted all of us with every decision. But, mostly, they put personal feelings aside and put A’s health and that of the baby’s first. They even gave her one of the hospital’s baby blankets so A2 could wrap her “babies” in it.

M.B.A. came home on Thursday and our first night was quite the experience. We set his car seat on the floor and then said “now what”. I’ve had experience with babies but Big Boy has not. It has been some learning and I am trying not to control or nag but it is really hard for us Type A’s! We headed back to Omaha on Friday so we could stay on base. We are really ready to go to Texas for the company of friends and a little warm weather (not to mention a hair cut and color :-) )

I promise not to talk about M.B.A. too much. I know that none of you really care how often he eats or where it comes from or how often he poops (a minimum of 8 times a day BTW!) or how or where he sleeps.

I have managed to nearly finish a sock in the past two weeks. It is from Sensational Knitted Socks and it is the Ribbed Lace pattern with the Eye of Partridge heel. The yarn is Baby Silk from Elann in a navy blue. I think they will go to SIL. Whether or not it will be for Christmas is still to be determined.