
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Kemper Does Austin, 3

Monday, January 25, 2010
Kemper Does Austin, 2
So, the hump day of the trip arrived. The day to relax and enjoy all that Austin had to offer. Just two young budding families hanging out in the hip Austin environs.
Except for the Arctic temperatures.
It was a nice, leisurely day. Went to a nice tex-mex restaurant for some yummy local fare. (It did feel a little weird to eat mexican while freezing...) But the beer went down easy.
The Pizz?
Well, she was passing out her usual cuteness to all. She even flirted with a husband-to-be... It might have been love at first sight... (This might have been one of the informal reasons for the trip... to set up a competition for the KP's hand.... the gauntlet has been thrown down!!!)
Although, there were times that Michael was more interested in the camera.
There was playoff football, and naps for the dads.
Naps for the kids too.
Then it was bathtime for all.
Cuz the kids had a date!
Well, ok, the parents went out to eat. An amazingly yummy restaurant with an eclectic crowd. (There was this older group who were wearing formal ware. Was there an old-man prom somewhere? Why weren't we invited.)
Then we went home early to find the two lovebirds asleep... in separate cribs. Whew! Didn't have to have the talk yet.
Then the grownups had some more chatting time...
Then off to bed...
Day 2... in the books.
(PS.... we haven't mention changing poopy diapers yet.... hmmm.... Stay tuned!)
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Kemper Does Austin
Day 1
Well, the plan was set before I could even hit 'Enter' on buying the tickets. I would do my cases, finish up my work, and then make a b-line home. There we head straight to the airport for the last flight to Atlanta. Then to Austin. Ham was taken care of. 'It is perfect' says the DQ, and humpfs off… feeling quite content.
Sure. Sounds great.
So before the day arrives, one of my cases gets sick and has to reschedule. Perfect! The gods are aligning for us to. This must be a sign.
Then Friday arrives.
I start my only case of the day. One that should take me about 3 hours. Man, it was a freakin disaster. I couldn't get the special pacemaker wire to go where it was supposed to. I took 3 hours just trying. Tick tick tick… I kept looking at the clock, knowing that I had way too much time. Damn this guy's anatomy!!!
So finally, I just gave up. Now it was 1pm. The flight was at 6. My "airport OCD" started kicking in. I gave up on the special wire, and finished the case. He would have to go to surgery for that… Damn…
I finish rounding on my patients, make my signout, and high-tail it home. It's like 3pm now… I had to take a shower (also with my OCD, I have a little bit of a perspiration problem… especially under stress). Damned with the airport OCD, patient OCD, and travel OCD, I have a mountain of stress. I practically sweat right through my scrubs… changed them a different color.
I get out and dry off. "Gotta go! Gotta go now!!!!!" I scream to the DQ. It's 3:30 for our 6pm flight. I have to make it to the airport. Fearing the difficulty of getting KP through the airtight Wilmington security. We say goodbye to Ham, who has absolutely no idea why his dad is such a freak, and head out.
We make it to the airport and park the car by 4pm. We get up to the booth… only to find out that due to the weather in Atlanta (snowstorm) the flight had been delayed until 7:50pm. Damn.
We check in, in like 2 seconds and head towards security. No line. Damn, where is all the traffic! Oh, wait, I look at Charmaine, no sane person is going to be travelling in this schmutz! Then we realized that we had a ga-gillion hours before the flight. We surveyed the Wilmington airport. (Now, to call this place an airport would do airports a disservice. It is definitely a small, commuter airport. I have no idea how it got a title of International. It has one coffee stand and one bar and one cheesy souvenir stand) . We were thirsty and hungry, so we went into the bar.
Now this must have been a sight. A man, a woman, and a 4-month old baby in a sling on her mother pony up to the bar. (This has to be a joke somewhere!) The other tables were not open for business, so we had to actually sit at the bar. There we were, shinning models of parenting: sitting at a bar, drinking beer without 4-month old. I am surprised that we weren't arrested for child abuse.
Finally we pay up and head back to security. Damned thing didn't even take 5 minutes to pass through. Everyone was mesmerized by the Kemper Cuteness. We could've smuggled a bomb in her diapers. The DQ looked at me, with a sly smile, and said "See… no trouble at all!"
Then we got to the "gate" and waited… and waited…. And waited. Nothing. 7:50pm came and went without a blink of an eye. We made a little tent for the KP to nap in. My OCD, which had abated with passing through security, now started ratcheting up. Fears of missing the connection, and getting stranded in the godforsaken ATL airport!
Finally the plane lands. The people deplane. Delta calls for boarding. Then the decision. The time was going to be really tight. We were going to have to run like the dickens to try to make the connection. The only thing that the Delta people told us was that the connecting flight was late. The DQ was like: "We go for it!!!!" I wanted to go home. Guess who was going to win this one!
So we finally board the plane. There was like 5 people on this puddle jumper. I wanted to make a statement: "I am sorry for the possibility of crying. This is the KP's maiden flight." The doors close and the Pizz starts to cackle a little. Uh oh! The DQ tries to pacify her, but when we start moving, it ratchets up. So, no choice, out comes the tap! (covered by the hooter hider). The KP goes quiet.
And doesn't say or do anything for the rest of the flight!
Wow!
So we land in Atl at 9pm. Whew! This thing might actually work! We might make it! But the freakin Atl airport is such a clusterfudge! We taxied for-ever!!! We finally get to the gate and then wait! … "er… Sorry we're waiting on the crew to bring us in!" Come on people!!! What does the airport pay them for! This place sucks!
I nervously glance at my watch as we start to deboard… 930pm. Uh oh. Flight is at 10pm. My heart rate is now 130!
So we get off at the B terminal and have to go to the D terminal! Fudge! We're screwed. I grab out carryon baggage, and we're off to the races!
It really must have been a sight (except for the fact that Atl is crazy congested, you might not have seen us!). We're moving at top speed. Myself tugging two shoulder bags and a roller board. The DQ with the KP in a sling in front of her. Racing through the Atl airport…. "Tram?" the DQ asks. "No time!!! We've… gotta… move!!!!" Running through the underground tunnels…. The KP wide awake by now… staring… gawking at the sights whizzing by!!! She was definitely the most entertained. We made it to the C terminal…. We were huffing. Must… keep… going… The KP?? Loving it while hanging on for dear life in the sling… Finally make it to D and run up to the gate… They're boarding!!! Whew!!!
We get on the plane. Unload the KP. Sit down and bust out the Hooter-Hider! Hook the KP up and … whoosh!! We're off. Flying toward Austin. Then the KP's out… asleep! Wonderful!!! Austin here we come! The DQ's out too. Me, I'm so keyed up from the day, I can't do anything but stare into the seat in front of me.
Finally we land in Austin and its balmy 15 degree weather. The KP's out for the count. Eric picks us up and takes us home.
Ahhhh.
Day 1 in the books.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Happy Birthday, DQ!!!!!!!
Ok...
Maybe, it wasn't quite like that...
She was known as Charmaine!!!!
So, as a shout out to the #1 Mommy in the BY Universe, we'll pepper this post with some of our favorite DQ and KP pics!!!!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
A BY Weekend Getaway - Preamble
Preamble-
So the other day, the DQ and I are basking the glow of my Emory check. (You see, one day about 2 years ago, we get a notice in the mail. Emory was going to sue the government to try to recoup some of our taxes during residency. They argued, successfully, that we were students, and not subject to some of the taxes that we paid. Well, after 2 years, Emory v US Government was successful. My check came in the mail. The DQ's.... hmmm)
We were giddy with $$$ floating in our heads. Woo hoo!!!
She says "We should go somewhere"
"Humph" I say. Where to?" I figured the absurdity of trying to fly somewhere with a 4 month would have set her mind straight. Plus we were in the middle of this cold weather snap, with calls for snow and freezing rain. Seriously, let's be realistic here. Why can't we just go to Moe's? Maybe spurge on a large queso?
I had forgotten who I had married.
Next thing I knew, she had popped open her laptop and began researching every possible destination.
"Bunkie" ... Affordable... but someone is moving that weekend, and nobody will be there.
"Tampa" ... Schedules didn't work out. (I had to work late)
"Houston" ... There is supposed to be snow.
(whew! I felt that reason was starting to come over the DQ. Yeah, I could be saved!!!)
"We're going to Austin!!" Really? But isn't it going to be cold and snowy there too.
"Nope. We can do it. Schedule works!"
I thought this was now becoming a one big hoax to try to rile me up. (Editor's Note: I have forgotten if I had ever mentioned my travel OCD. I am not sure how to describe it. I am not afraid of flying or travelling. In fact I love to go places. I just have a problem with airports, schedules, security, and being late. I have to get to the airport about 5 hours before takeoff, to make sure I get there. If not, I get really, really nervous. Really nervous. I began thinking about my Friday lab schedule... ooooh, it was going to be close. My HR started to pick up.... oh gosh! Man this woman is mean... She has to be kidding!!!)
I looked at her... Stone cold DQ. Dead serious.
I was screwed.
I tried to talk some sense into her, "Babe, it's going to be cold. We're flying through Atlanta. In this predicted SNOWSTORM!!!"
It was too late. The DQ made up her mind.
She gave me the look that said: I'm going to Austin. KP's going to Austin. YOU don't have to go!
Oh boy!
Thus begins "Kemper Does Austin!"
Monday, January 11, 2010
Blogger's Block - BY Style
That is not good for the BY Universe... How can we become more popular than the Hoff!
But we were on our way.... except for a little hiccup. I think I became a victim of my fame. Gosh darn it!
With the achievement of triple board certification (man, I am totally waiting to use that as a pickup line.... er... Well, I'll be waiting for a while....), the focus then turned solely to the BY Universe. I thought I was up to the task... Bring it on!
But then I heard stories about how everyone thought the blog was hilarious... and how can the DQ live with me!... (I know I know. I can't figure it out either).... It all got to my head!
The ego ballooned.... I expected a phone call from the Hoff any day.
So as the KPizz (new rap name) got cuter and cuter, the stories should be getting funnier and funnier.... I was so fixated on producing masterpieces at each and every post. Then it happened: Blogger's Block! I would sit at the computer with a funny idea and try to blog. It all came out like poo, or Tapi. Overly produced. Dull. Drab.
Oh crap! The BY Universe was going to go the way of the Dodo and Hula Hoops! The Hoff would win! I was distraught. Pressure fed on itself. There were days that I feared looking at my laptop so I avoided it like the plague!
Hours turned to days. Days turned to weeks! No posting. I needed a sign. A spark. Something to get my creative juices flowing again. Unclog the damn!
Who would have known that it would have come in the form of a little check courtesy of Emory and the US Government.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Christmas in the BY Universe
There was a tremendous amount of yummy food. Xmas eve consisted of a capon with the fixin's. Desert included the DQ's pecan pies. On xmas day, we feasted on amazing filet steaks, with the DQ enjoying a nice Chilean sea bass. (Although, on tasting my medium cooked tasty morsels, the DQ uttered 'Hmm... I might have to rethink this whole no red meat thing...')
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Bring Back the Giggle
How she was fussy ... how she had this explosive poopie blowout... Then, from out of nowhere, the KP smiles and lets out this giggle. Oh it was soooooo cute.
The DQ and I look at each other instantly. KP does it again. Absol-freaking-lutley adorable.
Then she stops.
DQ and I start dancing around like idiots, trying to reproduce the cuteness. Nothing
We blabber, mumble, jumble, talk of poopie diaper blow outs. Nothing.
Silence.
That's it!
Bring back the Giggle!!!!!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Recovering from a Sick KP
We are not sure who caught it first, the KP or her Daddy, but we do know who got the brunt of it. In fact, she's still congested! She is improving, slowly. It is sort of cute to watch her little coughs. But, her milky snot buggers are not cute.
Also we thought we've seen it all with her eruptions. But we were wrong. Picture this. A recently fed KP begins a little coughing fit... then sneezes ... ( This sudden build up in abdominal pressure causes her cute little belly to eject its contents. Now these said contents have two pathways... up or down.... or for that matter, both. Oh no, you are thinking, she couldn't eject contents from both directions simultaneously... Oh YES SHE CAN!!! ) So back to her coughing... then sneeze... suddenly, she spits up her curdled milk, while simultaneously dropping a stinky gas bomb in her G-diapers. I wish I could have captured it on tape.... Hilarious.... except for the cleanup.
So, that is what we had to deal with all week. So, we thought the weekend would be a big break for us to recover from her snotfest.

Stay tuned
Monday, December 07, 2009
The Big Weekend Finally Concludes!
We're beat.
All in all it was a phenomenal weekend. It was great from the beginning (booze and gumbo) straight through to the end (fixing the outdoor lights). All the pics we shot have been placed on the Snapfish account, for all to see. (Even a many new ones from before the weekend)
It was a great weekend for us to entertain our family and friends, show off the redone GM, and give the KP the 'Holy Bath'. (We don't have any actually baptism pics to show, but we now the cute ones are out there.)
I don't want to brag or nothing, but there were 3 babies gettin the Bath on Saturday. Each had their families there to cheer them on. All received their individual cheers and 'awwws'. But KP's moment in the Water received the biggest awww from the whole crowd! She sucked everyone in with her cuteness. True.
The whole event was quick and efficient as well as multilingual. Well... er... if you want to call it that. I don't think in my funniest moments, I could reproduce the accent with the words.
The booze flowed. The food was eaten. A good time was had by all (we think)...
Last minute random comments:
- KP's name will be, from this day forth, be pronounced "Keymm-per"
- Crack water is back! It was the dammed filter.
- The groovy, cool white orbs on our lawn are now functional lights (Thanks, Uncle Greg!)
- Ham is exhausted too.
- The recycling people are going to think we're raging drunkard. (and there is still a lot of booze around the house!)
- Now the weather is better!
Thank you (in no particular order) for making it a wonderful weekend: Ita, Wowo, Tia, Uncle Mike, Cousin Ella, Cousin Grayson, Lala, PawPaw, Gigi, Aunt Anne, Cousin Mo, Cousin Ash, Uncle Greg (aka the Godfather!), Aunt Elizabeth, Jackson.
PS: In the Catholic religion, from the Vatican Council of 1576, there is a little known clause that decrees the following: if a certain Goddaughter marries the Godfather's son, then the full wedding debt falls upon the Godfather. Thus it has been written!
Thursday, December 03, 2009
It's A "Banish the S-Man Weekend!"
The veggies are chopped and soon to be cooked down.
The GM has been Dysoned.
The yard has been blown.
The alcohol has been purchased... (man my wallet is 400$ lighter now!!!)
The KP is napping.
All for a BY Universe Baptismal weekend!
Stay tuned!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Happy (belated) Thanksgiving from BY Universe
We here at BY Universe have soooooooooooooo much to be thankful for. Especially since this was KP's 3 month birthday!!! Man, she'll be driving in no time.
Now for our list of thanks (with sap omitted... I didn't want to tear up)
- We're thankful KP has all her fingers and toes. (She's even discovered them now!)
- We're not thankful that KP has her Daddy's GI tract! (whew!)
- We're thankful she has one period of long sleep in her.
- We're not thankful it takes an hour to put her down.
- We're thankful that her mother is sooooooooooo amazingly beautiful. (Ok, maybe some sap)
- We're not thankful how she looks in the Madonna milk-er-ator. (This will definitely keep the KP from having any brothers and sisters in the near future)
- We're thankful KP is as beautiful as her mom.
- We're not thankful that KP looks more and more like her daddy every day!
- We're thankful we have viewers and subscribers to the BY Universe.
- We're not thankful that we're not to the level of The Hoff! (man, he's tough to beat!)
- We're thankful that Duke looks tough so far.
- We're not thankful that their track record is not so good come Tourney time!
- We're thankful that everyone is healthy, and going to be in town next weekend.
- We're not thankful that it is only 2 days long.
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!
-BY Universe
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Baptism In The Line of Fire
I just got the Golden Shower!
Wow... How could I have forgotten? Let us digress....
The evening was like any other. Winding down. KP getting her long blinks goodnight (although this is getting tougher...) A little fidget here and there. Then the DQ goes, "Why don't you go get her changed and lay her down?"
Sure. No problemo. I'm the Dad!
I take her upstairs and plop her on the changing table. She smiles at me... (in hindsight, this was the smile of dark knowledge.... alas, I didn't think clearly.) I was sucked into her cuteness. I disrobe her. Diaper next... undo it. Ahh a little wet, but missed the Tapioca. Whew! I'm almost scott-free! Then I move the diaper away... (Fatal, fatal mistake. I had been doing so well prior. I think I did get mesmerized by her cuteness... lulled to make a mistake. Then I was trapped!!!)
I grab the next G-diaper, and prepare it for the evening sleep. (This is a more involved process due to KP's propensity for overnight urine-blowouts! Now we have these babies double lined, with a cloth and paper insert!). I move into diaper position. I grab her legs and move to grab the diaper....
Hmmm... what's that warmth on my hand? Hmmm... sort of wet... is she drooling? Hmmm... wait a minute... she's on her back...... er... I look down.... oh ... my ... GOD.... Urine was streaming out from hoohoo-ville... Damn... I instinctively recoil and plop her down on the table.... Urine sprayed everywhere! Crap! Wait, I mean, Piss! Wow... how much do you drink? I mean, wow, this was longer than a drunkard at a urinal.
Then it was over. I surveyed the damage. I place the surprising dry new diaper into position.
Wow! I look at my daughter. She had this triumphant look on her face! Gotcha!
Yes, she did!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Oh the Growth!
She's outgrown the Burrito. (We've had to resort to some makeshift Chalupas...alas)
She doesn't succumb to the Jedi-Mind trick. (Where we rub her head and she falls asleep)
Her cries have more pitch to them. Some of them are hideously high.
She can roll over! (This is to rousing shouts of glee from both of her parents. You would think she just pooped gold.) (Oh, we have new installments to Kemper TV... I just have to edit them... Awesome!)
She is getting cuter by the second. (er... wait... I think she did just poop some gold)
All this cuteness will be on display for Baptism Weekend... stay tuned.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Passin Out Smiles
She is soooooooo cute, when she wants to be. She passes out the smiles whenever she wants. Its amazing. Then the DQ and I spend another 15 minutes jumping around like idiots to get her to smile again. It's like a drug. It's better than crack. (er... like I knew what crack was...)
After a long day of work, I go pick her up from daycare. I walk in, peer over her bouncer... there's the KP. Then she sees me, recognizes me, and passes out a smile. Oh man, I can't remember anything else about my day.
At home we're sitting on the couch in high pitched baby voices, trying desperately to get her to smile again, and again and again. Then, for like 20 minutes, she passes out the smiles. Amazing stuff. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO CUTE! Quick, take a picture. I grab the camera to try to immortalize it.... **poof** its gone. I stand there dumbfounded, waiting for another smile. Doesn't happen.... until I put the camera away. Smiles return. Its like clockwork.
Better than crack!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
How Do You Spell Vaccccuuuum?
Mano-a-mano. The DQ vs The Editor.
Super vocab Lit Major vs. The Engineer (ie. found a major where he didn't have to write papers)
How do you spell 'vaccccuuuum'? 1 c 2 u's or 2 c's 2 u's
The debate raged on. Clearly this needed to be sorted out, since we are a family of 3 Dysons.
Oh geez!
Well, let me just say that I won this round!
Whew....
Now the total is DQ 175 Editor 4!!!