Highlights from the 2nd Annual Pizz-mas!

Well, yes I know.  I haven't posted anything from this past Christmas, recounting our follies and frolicking.  In fact, I've been so lame in this regard, I got yelled at by the GC 2.0, for falling asleep at my duties.  I have become a victim of my own success.  I only have myself to blame.

So, anyway, this Pizz-mas was very low key and laid back.  La-la was our only visitor... (eh hem!  Mo?  I'm calling you out!!!) 

Anyway, we had a great weekend with the brewing new familia Yarnoz and Lala.  I had to work Pizz-mas day, and the GC 2.0 went back to work on Sunday, so it was very smooth.  The Pizz got to enjoy it all, with us and La-la.

Due to my working on Saturday, we did most of our Pizz-mas activities Pizz-mas Eve.  We went to church for the vigil mass, which the Pizz tolerated well.  Then we came back for a nice Pizz-mas dinner... of thick juicy filets!  (This is quickly becoming a Pizz-mas tradition!!! yum yum!!!)  Even the GC 2.0 dined on the red meat!!!  Seems that the 2 Yarnoz' in her belly/backseat dig the stuff!!!  Who would have though that one!

Then, it was time to open presents!!!! 

At first, the Pizz was apprehensive.  She didn't understand what was a-happening!  But then, she tore in to the goodness! 

And got gifts galore.  She got books, phones, clothes, more books, a buggie and so much more.  Even stuff that we had to save for later... (wink wink!)

She had so many new things in front of her, that she actually was taken aback.  She was paralyzed with the novelty and couldn't play with anything!!! 

Fortunately for us, this wore off quickly... very quickly.

What have we created!



Merry Pizz-mas!!!

To the Loyal BY Universe!

MERRY PIZZ-MAS

From the Pizz

The GC 2.0

and the Twizzles!!!!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Pizz-mas

Another example of Pizzeration

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BY's first artwork

Six months in Pictures: GC version 2.0

July 2010: The "Oh S*%#" moment

August 2010: I guess it's really happening!

September 2010: "What is the diagnosis and how do I treat this condition?"

October 2010: "It's a boy! And and girl!"

November 2010: "Sibling rivalry. A is kicking B in the head"

December 2010: 3D snapshot of B(Boy)Y, and "Two heads are better than one!"

BY's first school picture

More Desperate Acts of Pizzeration!!!

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Pizz Meets Another Member of the BY Family

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Jinx

After this past travel weekend, there are certain phrases that I, or the GC 2.0, can never utter when travelling again. 

The reason is that as soon as they were uttered, the Evil Jinx heard it and caused the exact opposite to happen!!!


Some examples of the Evil Jinx heard this past weekend:


1. "Look, Maine, the carseat is free. There is noooo way the airline can lose it!"


2. "Man, this flight has been a breeze!!!"


3. "I feel good. I think I'll have another Shipley Donut!"


4. "The Pizz usually doesn't make a mess in the tub"


5. "She can't hurt herself. It's just carpet" 

6. "The Pizz is a great sleeper. Never cries at night!"


7. "Woo hoo! I made it a whole trip without clogging Laura's toilet!!!!"


Never again, Jinx!  Never again!!!

In da hood!!

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Blood, Sweat, Tears. Eyes, Throat and Ears!

This title pretty much summarizes how the last BY Vacation (in a long time) went.  It can be basically be summed up in 6 little snippets from the first 6 hours of travel!!!


1.  "Throat"- Well, the GC 2.0 has been dealing with a URI for about a week now.  Turns out that she decided to "lose" her voice the day of travel.  Oh, gee Mike, you're going to have to say and do everything.  Great!  Some parts were sort of interesting, especially when she got out a good, husky sentence.  She pretty much figured that we'd be on auto pilot the whole trip.  Well, the first decision of the trip came at the Check In counter in Wilmington.  "Would you be checking your carseat?"  Well, I was already in my 'airport mode' (Editor's note: not sure if I mentioned my OCD with airports before.  Basically I am afraid of being late/getting stuck in security/missing my flight/getting abandoned...).  Sure I said, let's check it.  The GC 2.0 sent me a horrified look: "You know ", she husked, "they're going to lose the thing, and then we're screwed."  "Naw babe, trust me.  Easy breezy, Japonesey.  We don't want to be lugging this thing around ATL airport do we?  Plus, it's free"  I gave her the wink...  She harumpfed off with the Pizz...  So we're off!!!

2. "Blood" - Landed in ATL no problemo.  Got off without a hitch.  We then had a 2 hour layover, before our flight out.  So we had to eat...  Well, to our glorious surprise, we found a Moe's in the ATL terminal.  Ahhhh, nothing says flying then a large bean burrito, a gallon of cheese and the Pizz.  Too bad there was very little seating.  We wedged ourselves in between a family of 4.5 (their dog) and a business man.  "See, Maine, we couldn't do this with the carseat!"  I felt very proud of myself.  She harumpfed off to the gate.  We got their with 45min to spare.  We tried to get the Pizz to go sleepy time, since this was starting to be way past her bedtime.  She didn't want to.  Next thing I know, I'm chasing her around the terminal.  I follow her to a carpeted corner area.  She's happy, giggling, being chased/chasing her daddy.  I turn away for a second, and then I hear an "Uh!".  I look back and see the Pizz face down in the carpet.  Uh oh.  Maybe she'll just bounce up like she always does.  Well, she picked her head up and started screaming.  Top of the lungs in the middle of ATL!  Great.  I'm going to get arrested for parental abuse!  I pick her up and she lays her head in my shoulder.  "Ok Pizz... ssshhhh!"  Trying to sooth her.  She picks her head off my shoulder and blood is everywhere!  Dripping out of her mouth, on my shoulder, shirt.  Oh crappo!  I'm really heading to the pokey now.  But, cool and calm I was as I took out my daddy daycare handkerchief!  I tried to dab and hold pressure, thinking that this would be a simple cut.  Oh no!  I think she lost like a gallon of blood!  Now, I was internally starting to worry, as I made my way back to the GC 2.0.  We sit her down and try to get her calm.  Ice?  No!  Stick? No!  Pacy? Ok, but I'm still pissed!!!  Finally she started calming down.  The bleeding subsided for us to get a look at things.  Busted upper lip, that was now starting to swell pretty good.  Nice Pizz, now you've got Angelina Jolie lips!  She didn't laugh.  Man, are we there yet!

3.  "Eyes"-  We finally make it on the plane and take off.  Man, my left eye is starting to water.  Hmmm...  that's strange.  Why would it do that?  I've never had that happen.  I look over at the GC 2.0.  "Hey, is there something wrong with my eye?"  She squints over in my direction... "uh oh"  "What?  WHAT!?!?!  Is it falling out?"  "I think you're getting Pink Eye!!!"  For real?!?!?  I mean the Pizz had it like last week and I'm getting this now!?!?!?  I instantly began feeling my eye itch!  Crap!  Now this is going to go real well on vacation!  "Did we bring Pizz' eye drops?"  "No, we left them at home, remember."  Yes.. yes yes... long story about how her eyes got better and then worse and then better, and how the Ped thinks that she might have had a chemical conjunctivitis too...  (this after dropping llike $80 on 2 sets of eyedrops!!!).  Seems that was money well spent!!!

4.  "Tears"- So we finally get the Pizz down and asleep on this last flight.  Whew!  We're home free!!!  "GC 2.0, this baby is a flying machine!!!"  Then we land.  As soon as we hit the ground and the cabin lights turn on, the Pizz wakes up.  And she is not a happy camper!  Oh boy.  She started screaming bloody murder.  Nothing we could do would make her happy.  We just had to ride this out.  Unfortunately, we were at the back of the plane.  So, there we were... "those people" who couldn't get their baby to be quiet.  We were stuck.  That cabin door seemed to take hours to open.  Everybody took there sweet time getting their crappy bags, while we were stuck with an exhausted, screaming baby.  As we finally deplaned, we slunked out of the plane, eyes and heads down... not making any eye contact with anyone!  Once we finally we got out of the plane, the Pizz stopped!  Thanks!!!

5.  "Sweat" - We all deplaned and headed down to baggage claim.  I had the Pizz attached to me, and the GC 2.0, well, she had the Twizzles in tow.  We get to the conveyor belt and wait.  We were pretty frazzled and exhaused by now.  Daddy needed a drink.  There were about 30 other people.  Finally the belt starts....  The gosh damned thing was the slowest moving conveyor ever.  I think a snail could move faster then this God-forsaken thing.  I give the Pizz to the GC 2.0, and walk over to the belt.  (I didn't want to miss the bags!).  Our suitcase comes off without a hitch.  Yay!!!  I wait...  and wait...  Other people are grabbing their bags, and walking off...  Uh oh!!!!  The brow becomes a little moist!  Crap!  Surely this cannot be happening.  Then the belt stops.  I look around, there is only the GC, the Pizz and I.  Neither females looked very happy.  I'm dead!  Now the sweat starts pouring!

6.  "Ears" - So now we're in full fledged panic mode.  We look around for the info desk.  Well, you see, in small town America, these little po-dunk airports don't keep people past 10pm.  Oh crap!!!  The GC 2.0 takes over.  We split up.  She's to track down the airline people, and I'm to see if we can rent a carseat!  Really!  She goes off and I got to the rental agent.  Seriously!!!  This cannot be happening!!!  Oh, but it is!!!  I find the only one open of the 3, and she was getting ready to go.  "Hey, I was wondering if I could rent a carseat?"  "Really?  Why?"  "Um, well, um... I'm dumb!"  I explain the situation, and she seems to understand.  She goes, "Well, I can't rent you a car seat, without the car?"  "Really?!?"  "Maybe you should see if it's not in the back somewhere?"   "Ok"  I go off to find the GC 2.0.  I find her coming down the escalators... steaming.  "Nobody up there"  she husks...  "Did you get a seat?"  "Um... uh... babe... well I have to rent a car to get one.  The lady said to try the back rooms first."

...  Then clear as a bell come the words " YOU BETTER GO BACK THERE AND GET A F&(^()@$!!! CAR SO WE CAN GET HOME!!!  IF THAT LADY LEAVES WITHOUT US GETTING A SEAT, I AM GOING TO F&(!)(@)!!! KILL YOU!!!"  There was no doubting what my ears just heard.  Nope.  Clear as a bell.  Point taken.  I'm dead!

So I go back to the lady... "Um... well... um... we can't find anyone... so um... I'm going to need to rent a car."  "Ok"  So we go through the machinations.  After some bogus discount, but that got inflated with "insurance premiums" I had to fork over $100 bucks.  That sure better be one pristine car seat.  She gives me the keys, and then drudges back to pick up the Platinum Edition BY Thanksgiving Carseat, and comes back!  The damned thing was a POS!!!  Looked like it was 15 years old and hadn't been cleaned once.  "Gee... thanks!!"

I grab my PEBYTC and slink off after my husky bride.  I find her at the ticket counter.  They don't know where the carseat is!  The GC 2.0 looks at me.  I hold up the PEBYTC with a mild smirk.  "We're good babe!"  She looks back at the lady.  "See we had to rent a car to get a carseat!  Are you guys going to pay for that?!?!?"  The lady was like "No, you had to rent a car anyway!"  Then the GC 2.0 sort of exploded (if not already!)  (Editors note: Later we realized why our MFM OB didn't want us to travel after 24 weeks... too stressful!!!)  Then the lady matter of factly said, "well, why did you do that?  We have seats in the back!...."

So there I was...  11pm....  Po-dunk America.  Sweating.  Ears ringing.  My hundred dollar POS carseat in tow.  Running back across small Po-dunk airport.  To get to the rental place.  Trying to get a refund!

At that point, I made a pact with myself...  this officially will end my family airplane travelling days.... for a long, long, long, long..... long time.  Unless we win the lottery and can charter a jet!

Pigtails and Airplanes

Pigtails and Cheesy Poofs!!!!

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Couscous!!!

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Guest Post from the GC2.0: About being blessed with fertility and carrying around a lot of little people

Everyone is asking me what it’s like to find out you are having twins.

Well, if you want to know exactly what passed through my mind when they said the word “TWINS,” it was actually quite literally blank, like I didn’t know what that word even meant.  Mike was sitting in the corner whispering: “Oh sh*%!”  My first real thought was: “Holy crap!  How many carseats are we going to have to have!??!”

After that thought, there was a lot of anxiety.  Our minds couldn’t grasp the fact that we wouldn’t just be squeezing in one more little Yarnoz in our family/cars/home.  We launched into planning ADHD - we need another car! and crib! and high chair! Oh my! Can we get three kids to daycare every morning? (The resounding answer was ‘no’ for that one.)  How much Xanax will Hamilton need?  Am I going to lose my job over this?  I can honestly say that there were days when I wanted to do nothing but cry.

Then there came the visit with the high risk obstetrician.  It seems his job is to warn about all the complications and disasters that can strike a 34-year-old woman with multiples brewing, then to gleefully tell you each time “But you are doing great!!”  Not necessarily a balm for the already anxious soul.

Meanwhile, the ‘fault’ for all this lies firmly in my genetic tree -- hyperovulation being a common occurrence in the Rabalais women.  (Not to mention there was an accidental perch on an ancient fertility chair in 2007 (see photo) and a fateful conversation about 2 years ago when I jokingly told Mike: “Wouldn’t it be nice if I could pull off a two-fer and squeeze out some twins?  This would cut way back on the amount of time I am restricted from traveling to Haiti.”)

Should have guessed it might happen, but it honestly never crossed my mind.

Eventually, as I worked my way through double the nausea and fatigue, it started to sink in.  It was actually getting to be a little bit fun watching people’s expressions when I told them I was harboring twins inside.  One of my pulmonology colleagues looked absolutely horrified and screeched, “Was that expected?”  Or another one I love: "Did you take something? (Yes, I induced this on myself because I wanted to have 3 children under 18 months... what!?%$"  But most people looked shocked in a good way and would say things like, “Won’t that be fun?!” or “Oh, good luck! You’ll be very busy!”  And a few continue to light up and say things like: “I’m a twin!” (guy on the landscape team today) or “I had twin boys and it was wonderful” (GI attending who typically barely speaks to me).  In fact, when you have two it enters you in a tiny little elitist club of twin-bearing women, each one having her own special story to go along with it.

So, the second trimester has been all about less -- less nausea, less fatigue, and less anxiety -- as well as more -- more OB visits, scans, and freakish comments about my innards.  The kiddos are moving, frequently kicking each other in the head when scanned, and the abdomen is growing.  Mike likes to remind me that I have the genetic equivalent of a whole Yarnoz inside of me.  (I’m still holding out for a kid that might resemble me though, since I’ve totally lost with Kemper.)  

As we enter into the third trimester, we’ll probably relapse back into high-anxiety mode. (Can I make it to 38 weeks? What if I’m early? What if I have to have a c-section? How am I going to pick up Kemper anymore? Which car should we buy? Which au pair should we choose? etc etc...)  I mean, it’s hard to really feel like you are ever out of the woods -- there is only 44mm of a “gorgeous cervix” (by far, the weirdest compliment I’ve ever gotten from a man) between the world and my little Yarnozs -- I simultaneously want to keep them in there forever and want to see what our new little people will be like.  

Hopefully it really will be as fun as people try to tell me it will be... but maybe not too much fun, because Mike has already told me that he “can’t make it through another pregnancy.”  Plus, the obstetrician already warned us that we have an even higher chance for twins again next time.... 

Walking around

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In Search of the BY's Family Truckster

So, most of you BY Followers know by now that the BY Universe is going to get a whole lot more crowded in about 4 months now.. (whew!)

So one of the most controversial decisions the GC2.0 and The Editor have been racking their brains over is the addition of new transportation....

Yup.  Seems the brood just won't fit in the GC2.0's hybrid "mommy car".  Nope.  Not at all.  It would be like wedging sardines into a can...  Or stuffing 18 clowns into a mini-Cooper....  Just can't happen.

So we've been discussing/haggling/fighting with each other over which cochito to acquire.  This has been difficult.  We can't even decide on how to "acquire" said cochito!

We've even had the opportunity to go test drive certain candidates for the BY Family Truckster (... Thanks again, Ita and Wowo).

It has only clouded our minds.

The candidates: The Toyota Highlander (hybrid, of course), the Toyota Sienna, the Honda Odyssey, the Honda Pilot, and the Mazda 5 (making a late push with a snowball's chance...)

The votes:

• GC2.0 = Highlander... "Groovy, hybrid, 3rd row seating.  I don't want to drive a Minivan!"
• The Editor = Swagger Wagon ... er Sienna.  "Huge... accommodating... sliding doors.  Oh and I get an Xbox!!!"
• Hamilton = ruff ... "wherever I can be part of the action... but keep me away from these noise-makers!!!"
• The Pizz = uh-oh... "I like facing forward now"

And the debate is raging on....

Any votes on who will win???

Buy me!!

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Toys!!!

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Names, Names, Names...

So, I've been racking my brain to try to find some good name options for the Twizzles...  It has been tough, especially with the GM renovation, the job, and the Pizz...

But I've got some to share... So enjoy!


1. Black and Decker

2. Donnie and Marie

3. Daisy and Duke

4. Ozzie and Harriet

5. Ike and Tina (The Editor's personal favorite!)

6. Sampson and Delilah

7. Tarzan and Jane

8. Vegas and Reno (What happens in Vegas' diaper, stays in the diaper...)

9. Montana and Rice (The Editor's second favorite!)

10. Kirk and Uhura


I'll work on the voting booth!

GC2.0 at 20 weeks....

Learning how to sign...

Right before a Fussmaster Pizz explosion!

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Yay Black beans!!!!

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The GolfCart, Version 2.0

So, what's it like rolling with the GC v2.0?

Hmmm

  Is it a tricked out Bentley?

Or a super spacious Double Wide?

 Or a tough, rugged off road vehicle?

Or environmentally conscious?

 

I cannot decide...

Pizzeration - Caught in the Act

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The Toddler's Code ... BY Style

Got this email from the GC2.0 the other day.  It fits perfectly in our new lifestyle...  Editors notes in italics...

So I present, the Toddler's Code (BY Style)

• If it is on, I must turn it off.
• If it is off, I must turn it on.
• If it is folded, I must unfold it.
• If it is a liquid, it must be shaken, then spilled. (totally) 
• If it a solid, it must be crumbled, chewed or smeared.
• If it is high, it must be reached.
• If it is shelved, it must be unshelved.
• If it is pointed, it must be run with at top speed. (thankfully, not yet...)
• If it has leaves, they must be picked.
• If it is plugged, it must be unplugged.
• If it is not trash, it must be thrown away.
• If it is in the trash, it must be removed, inspected, and thrown on the floor. (Hence... Pizzeration)
• If it is closed, it must be opened.
• If it does not open, it must be screamed at. (unfortunately so...)
• If it has drawers, they must be rifled.
• If it is a pencil, it must write on the refrigerator, monitor, or table. (oh god!... that would be horrific!)
• If it is full, it will be more interesting emptied. (Hence... Pizzeration)
• If it is empty, it will be more interesting full.
• If it is a pile of dirt, it must be laid upon.
• If it is stroller, it must under no circumstances be ridden in without protest. It must be pushed by me instead. (even when I walk like a drunken sailor)
• If it has a flat surface, it must be banged upon.
• If Dad's hands are full, I must be carried.
• If Mum is in a hurry and wants to carry me, I must walk alone.
• If it is paper, it must be torn. (or newspaper or magazines or bills)
• If it has buttons, they must be pressed.
• If the volume is low, it must go high.
• If it is toilet paper, it must be unrolled on the floor.
• If it is a drawer, it must be pulled upon.
• If it is a toothbrush, it must be inserted into my mouth.
• If it has a faucet, it must be turned on at full force.
• If it is a phone, I must talk to it. (or scream at full throat when I cannot)
• If it is a bug, it must be swallowed.
• If it doesn't stay on my spoon, it must be dropped on the floor. (Much to Ham's delight)
• If it is not food, it must be tasted.
• If it IS food, it must not be tasted.
• If it is dry, it must be made wet with drool, milk, or toilet water.
• If it is a carseat, it must be protested with arched back. (Also in this category, if my diaper is dirty, I must protest with arched back!)

 

 

 

 

 

[Source: Paul Dixon's Joke-of-the-Day Zine]

 

 

 

What's the Scoop, Twizzles?

So, ladies and gentlemen of the BY Universe...  what is the scoop?

Well, the GC 2.0 had another successful OB visit.  It turns out that we know what the GC 2.0 is carrying...

...Drumroll Please....


A.... girl.... 


and.....


A ... boy....




Whew!!!

(Editor's Note: That is the sound of the huge monkey being lifted off my back!!!)

Trying to Get Out of the GM

(Editors Note: Here is the completed old entry... sorry for the delay)

So, after our glorious naptime, the Pizz was soooo cute and happy.  I figured it was about time to get out and do some things...  But where to go?  Grocery store?  Too boring...  Park? Maybe later.... Target??  Now you're talking!

So I bring the Pizz back into her room and begin to get her dressed.  Shirt goes on without problems.  Pants... mild difficulty.  Socks... nope!  The girl just wants to be barefoot...  I had her sitting in my lap while I was trying to put the socks on.  Man, that little Pizz squirmed and fussed all over...  Now she is starting to learn about her strength, and ability to use the "wing" to block and defend.  Damned did she try!  10 minutes later, along with a few choice words (muttered in spanish), the socks and shoes were on. 

Now I had to try to make her hair cute!  Oh gosh!  You would have thought I was ripping out her hair.  (Editors note:  unfortunately her hair is in the "in-between" stage....  We're trying to grow it out so that she can look cute and feminine... but it is stuck in messy boyish stage...).  She hates the comb.  But if you give it to her, she puts it up to her hair like she's combing it!  I can't win.  I finally get it in place, with a mild swath of hair over her left eye... that will do!  We're ready (40min later)

We traipse downstairs!  I gather up my keys and phone.  We head outside....  I begin to put her in her carseat, and lean in to buckle her belt....  **sniff, sniff***  whew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Omigod!  Something ungodly is now in her diapers!  I look at the Pizz...  "Seriously?!?!" I ask...  She just smiles.  I half-contemplate leaving her in it to wallow... but I declined.  I get her back upstairs and begin to disassemble the Pizzle...  and then the moment of truth...  WOWWY!  It was so god awful (she had a supreme pizza the night before), I almost vomited in my mouth.  This action caused a sound and a grimace on my face.  She must have been watching me, because she started laughing uncontrollably.  "Gee, thanks Pizz"  I tried to clean her off... more retching... more Pizz-giggles...

Finally put her back together and back in the carseat...  (an hour later)... and we're off to Target!  Yay!!! I love me some Target... already had my route mapped out... Going to enter and then pull off into the food court... get a soda (which we'll have to refill 8 times before leaving)... maybe a pretzel for the Pizz...  And think of all the entertainment for the Pizz... Sweet!

We get there.... hooray!  No Pizz-eruptions.  I get her out and walk into the store.  Yay yay... Place her in the buggy and mosey on into the food court... "awwww" says the girl behind the counter...  "She's so cute..."  "I know... she takes after her daddy".  She frowned at me and took my order.  Pretzel combo...

The I pulled off with the Pizz, got my Diet Coke/Cherry Coke mix and stood there and ate the pretzel.  She loved it...  And we ate the pretzel... and we ate the pretzel... and we ate the pretzel... Now we're about 15-20minutes into our Target time, and we haven't moved from the Food Court.  I was ok with this for a little while, because I had already gotten 3 refills, but now I was starting to get antsy...

Time to move on and enjoy the store... I pulled out of the FC.  "Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!"  Really, Pizz?  What's up?  I tried to make faces as I moved farther... nothing.  Maybe she wanted more pretzel... So I gave her some more and tried to move on....  "Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!"  Now what?  She looked longingly at my Diet Coke and started making smacking motions with her mouth.... "Oh, I'm such an evil father... no water!!!"

We go back to the FC and the girl... "Awww..."  "Can I get a glass of water?"  "Sure"  I go fill it up and give it to her with a straw...  She gulps it down.  Whew!!!  We're good to go!  I get another refill for myself and pull out of the FC again...

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!"  "Seriously?!?!?  Now what?  I have nothing left to give!"  I shuddered....  But she would have none of it... Then she brought on a serious, full bore tantrum...  with screaming and body shaking and head throwing/snapping...  Oh my god, is this really happening to me in a public place....  I look over a the girl behind the FC counter, who was staring aghast at the Pizz and my obviously poor parenting skills...  Great... No more cute daddy. 

I pick her out of the buggy and walk around a little bit.  This calms her down some.  I try to put her back in the buggy, but she wants nothing to do with it.  I realize that we're going to have to leave and go home!  Oh no!!!  "But we're so close, Pizz?"  We start walking out (not after I claim my 6th refill) and then she's back to cuteness.....  Seriously, Pizz???  I try to turn back in, for one last futile effort... But she screams again...

"Alright, Kemper you win!  We're going home" 

I put her back in her carseat, and she promptly falls asleep.  Sheesh! 

At least someone's happy...

Left You Hanging!

Yes, I know... I didn't finish the weekend...

I tried to, but the Pizz is now too mobile.  I do have a post saved, that I have to work on completing.   Also, the weeks are tougher now, because we're getting busier and the Pizz is more time-consuming...

But, don't worry fellow BY Followers...  I'll get right back to work...


... er... maybe tomorrow.... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Through the Morning!

Well, 6 AM came too soon this morning!  And it wasn't because of the Pizz....  Ham needed to get up and go.  Unfortunately his barking awoke the other beast, and away went the morning!

I went in to get the Pizz, and was welcomed by a standing, smiling baby... Ahhhh how cute!  Then I picked her up..... Ahhhh how wet!!!  Sweet!  It was almost as if she was saying to me: "Welcome to the weekend, Daddy!!!"  So she got changed, and then we all went downstairs for breakfast.

She had bananas covered in rice cereal and I had cheerios.  Then she had cheerios... and then Ham had cheerios.  Then we briskly walked out in the front yard to let the Ham do his business...

Soon it was back upstairs to play in her room.  By far one of the best moments in this morning, and any morning, for that matter comes when you put the Pizz on her floor.  She gets placed right in front of her toy cabinet, and she knows what's coming.  She does a little Pizz dance, and then... you slide the door open....  At that moment, the pure joy flashes across her face, along with a cute "Ahhhhhh-hhhhh!!!", as she sees her toys!

So we played with books and cups and rattles.  She sometimes becomes the anti-GC2 by just taking stuff out of her cabinet, and throwing it all over the place.  "Pizz-eration!"  Then, the sign that Daddy was waiting for...the I'm sleepy sign... the hand wiping across her eyes and nose....  Hooooray!!!!  I look at the clock, 9am.  She's like clockwork. 

But I realize that I'm sleepy too, so I decide to have a family nap time.  I pick her up and carry her into our room, and lay down.  She's laying right in the middle, to my left.  She lays there with her pacy and binky and starts to snooze.... ahhh!  So do I.  So peaceful, so cute... definitely one of those "I love to be a Daddy" moments......

I begin to doze off.... ker-pow!  I get the left fist of cuteness to my noggin.  Then I get slapped some more.... followed by giggles... Uh Oh... She's not asleep, and now, neither am I.  She fidgets and wiggles, slaps and smacks... gets up and sits down... squirms and worms.... Now she has positioned herself to be perpendicular to me, with her feet jabbed in me belly... Great.... A couple of kicks here and there....  and then... silence...

Really??  I peek one eye open.... Yes!!! 

She's finally asleep

To Be Continued...

A Super-Duper Daddy DayCare Weekend!!!

(Editor's note:  We're back online.  Earlier this week, with the initiation of Phase 2.5 of the GM reno, some trees started to come down.  Unfortunately, so did the cable... but now we're back!!!)

So, as I type this entry, the GM is solely occupied by the Editor, Ham, and The Pizz.  The GC2 has blown this taco-stand!  Where, you might ask? 

To Iowa... of course!!!  For her annual ServeHaiti fundraiser.... 

This leaves the Pizz in the loving arms of the Editor...  ahhhh yes!

I can see how this weekend goes... she and I laying up all weekend... laying around on the couch in our diapers... drinking sauce from our sippy cups... learning the intricacies of the spread offense or how the NFL is much more physical....  eating peanut butter out of the jar!!!!

Ahhhh what a lovely dream!


To Be Continued....

Secret KemperVision!!!

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Pizzerated!!!

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A Getaway Weekend!

Well, we just finished a lovely Getaway Weekend, where the GC and I went to Niagra Falls!

Ooooh, how romantic!

The GC and I got to tour around in Canadia, eh!  It's almost like the US.  I mean, this place had 2 Friday's, an Outback, an Appleby's, a Macaroni Grill, a BK, casinos, Hard Rock, a Planet Hollywood, and so on and so on.

They even have Dollars!

We had sooo much fun...  Got to lounge around... even got to sleep in...  ahhhh!!!!  Sleeping in!!!

Man it was awesome...

Oh, wait... where was the Pizz!!!  Who?!?!?!



Still shocked!?!?!

Well so are we!

It has been a very interesting last couple of weeks.  We have gone from having one child, to thinking about having another, to full frontal realization of 3 kids under the age of 2!

Yes, we are still in shock! 

We went to the first OB visit, and as soon as the ultrasound started scanning, I realized what was there.  I think I said "oh $h^#!!!!" like 5 times before the OB actually said what they were!

And then there were 3!!! 

So, since KP has a rap name, we had to come up with something for the Twins!  Well, enter the Twizzlers!  or Twizz for short!

This has been a crazy time for us.  Numerous blog entries have flown into, and quickly out of, my head...  I'll get cracking on them, but in the mean time, be patient... the humor and cuteness will soon flow!

Oh, and I had to change the background, due to some people thinking that we knew the sexes of the Twizz.... Still toooo early...

But numerically speaking, I have a 75% chance of having the heir!

(and a 25% chance of being forever outnumbered.... Ham counts too!!!)

Beep Beep Beep!

Wait a Minute!!!  What is that sound??!?!?

Oh ....  my .... GOSH!!!

It is....

The GOLFCART is back!!! 

This time, with a vengeance

Once again: OH MY GOSH!!!!

Under Construction!

Sorry we've been away...

We're working on some new features to BY Universe...

And getting rid of the pink background!

Stay tuned!!!

DaddyDinner!!!!

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Big Birthday Weekend!!!

Well, for the first time in a long time, the Maine and I were off on the same weekend!!!  Hooray for the Family!!!

So Saturday AM we had pancakes for breakfast!  Yum yum... The Pizz did too (on her new, advanced diet system)

Then we packed up and went over to the beach.  There we set up our new tent on the beach and hung out for hours...  Well until the Pizz passed out.  Then the tent blew off its moorings, so we had to call it a morning.

We came back home and let the Pizz nap... then we dredged off to Sam's to load up on Pizz' foodstuffs...  Sweet!  (Bananas, cheese, milk, soda... ok food for Daddy too)

By this time it was bedtime for the Pizz, and subsequently her tired parents.

Day 2 presented a whole new day of fun.... Church!

Well, the Pizz was sooo good in The Man's House.  She kept very, very quiet.  She was mostly still, until she began playing back-n-forth with Mommy and Daddy.

But she still had some time to pass out some Cuteness.

The rest of the day was spent cleaning the GM, napping (Daddy was pretty tired), and more food shopping.  Then we all sat down for a yummy family dinner of grilled chicken orzo.  Yum Yum good!

Goood Niiight!!!

Kemper Vision - Birthday Edition

The Day Has Arrived!!!

Before we move forward, we must take a look back at the amazing year that was....

Daddy Daycare

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Ahhhh a box

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Dropping The Pizz Off at the Pool!!!!

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Windows!!

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Bananas!!!!!!

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Daddy's Weekend without The Chicks - Morning 2

Hmmm....  maybe I can get used to this sans Pizzle thing...

Alarm went off at 6.  Hit the snooze... oops, the off button.... and rolled back over.  Next thing I knew it was 7 and Ham was licking my face.  Whew, you want to talk about morning breath!!!  Ouch. 

I woke up awake and refreshed.  and then got promptly paged my the ER...  damn!

No sauce making today...  No Pizzle ... yet...

Daddy's Weekend without The Chicks - Day 1/ Night 2

And the beat goes on...
Well today was an interesting experience.  I woke up at 6:15 this am and laid in bed.  Waited for the Pizz to stir and cry.  Thought about making sauce.  But alas... no Pizz... no sauce... no Maine.

So I stirred in bed... and awoke the Ham.  So I got up and took him out.  Then came back inside...  eerily quiet.  No Pizz stirring, giggling... alas.  No Maine moving about.  Ahhh the Chicks!  I look at Ham... he looks up, tail wagging...  "It's just us Daddy!!!   Yeah!!!"  and they he pounced down into the laundry room for his biscuit.

I heard a joke later in the day...  You lock your wife and your dog in your truck for 1hour.  Then you come back and let them out... who's happy to see you?  Ahhh, so true.

The rest of the day was boring work.  Nothing exciting.  Got home at 5:30 to the Ham, again wagging his tail, awaiting his dinner.  Then a long andar.

The evening was very quiet.  Just sitting in front of the TV, watching ESPN.  Got a call from the Maine- they're having a blast up north.  Alas...  the Chicks... ahh...

Hmmm... what did I have for dinner, you ask?  I made some fried rice, with scrambled egg and some onions.  Although I can't ever get the rice crispy enough... it's always too gooey.  Damn.

**sniffle sniffle **  Have I depressed you yet?

The Chicks come back tomorrow!!!!!

Daddy's Weekend without The Chicks - Night 1

Well, Daddy's home alone. 

Seems the Maine and the Pizz didn't want to hang around old W-town while Daddy was on call.  Alas.  The night grows weary and lonely. 

It seems like its been a week since they left, but only 12 hours.  Oh man, what am I going to do until Sunday.  Oh, wait, I have to round at the hospital...  Yay!!!  Nothing silences the loneliness like rounding on sick old people.  Ahhh yes.  Just the other day, I had a demented patient with a heart rate in the 30s, tell me she felt great and wanted to go home...  Hmmm, sure lady, I don't think you'd get very far with your ticker that slow.  This is what I do, cure people with electricity... 

So what did Daddy do on his first evening alone?  Well, he went to the gym and ran... and then played horse.  Seems my shot has gone far, far away... never to return. 

Then home to the Ham.  Ahhh, at least someone still loves me!  (just kidding)  Oh wait, he just wants food.  Then he just wanted to go outside.  So a long, leisurely andar with the old man.  No worries.

After a shower it was dinner time for Daddy.  Maine had made lots of broccoli and cheese caserole for dinner, and now it is leftover for the Man!  So I warmed up some, but it needed a little sumpen sumpen...  hmmm... oh yes Tony Chachere!!!!!!  Ahhh sooooooo tasty.  (Editors note:  Marriage to the Maine has brought many lovely things into my life.  One of them definitely has to be Chachere!  Sooooo tasty, spicy and salty goodness.  Spruces everything right up... Pizza... casserole... mac and cheese... anything)  Soooo good.  However, when I was done, there was still a hunger in the gullet.  What to fix it with....  hmmm...  Then I eyeball the kaiser rolls on the counter.  Hmmm... What goes with kaiser rolls?  Yes!!!! Peanut Butter!!!!  ahh the perfect companion meal.  (Editors note:  Hmmm.. I wonder what Chachere would do to PB.... hmmm maybe another night!)

Then it was collapsing on the couch and watching TV.  Probably going to bed soon...

Ahh the life of a bachelor!

(Chicks come home soon!!!!)

Laundry part 2

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Helping with the Laundry

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We've been Pizz-erated (part 2)

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Mommy Made Me Do It!

Well, the Maine didn't like the previous background, in honor of the KP's birthday month.

So I have tried something more sublime.


Hope she ...  er...  um...  you all.... like it!!!

we've been Pizz-erated!!!

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