tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70163476079961333682024-03-13T12:24:14.332-05:00Running With LumpyA Texas girl's blog about running (more like slow jogging), life and other things that are fabulous and not so fabulous.Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.comBlogger1410125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-60082700502855097632013-04-08T08:43:00.001-05:002013-04-08T08:44:03.556-05:00Dear Cash - THREE FREAKING YEARS! <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Dear Cash,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">How can I summarize three years (or even just this past year) in a letter? <i>I can't.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's impossible to put in to words how you have changed my life (aside from the sleepless nights and a couple extra pounds), but I wrote you this little poem (set to Twas The Night Before Christmas). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Twas the night before your birthday, when all through our home,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was stirring with "gas pains", and boy did I moan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The bag was not packed - I needed to prepare,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I expected more warning before you'd be there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The animals were all nestled, all snug in our bed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">While I denied labor and ate Chuy's instead.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And me in my bathrobe and daddy in his cap,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Couldn't settle down because it hurt like crap.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When into the shower, I ran with a scream,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'd just done some pooping and needed to clean.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Away to the dresser I flew with a limp,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Tore open the drawers and packed like a wimp.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The<a href="http://lunaf.com/english/moon-phases/lunar-calendar-2010/04/06/" target="_blank"> moon was half full</a>, but heck, did I care?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I grabbed a pillow for my head and a brush for my hair. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When, what would my watering eyes should appear</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Buttin in his truck, was shifting into gear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">With a man driver, so dangerous and fast,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Buttin got me to the hospital by slamming on the gas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At the hospital my nurse made some suggestions,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and then started asking me bazillions of questions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now weight? Now height? Now strep b test?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now pee in this cup and get undressed!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The room started to flurry with busy nurses and such,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I screamed the word "peace", but didn't want to be touched.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And then with a sudden feeling of fear,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I asked for marijuana, some drugs or a beer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sweet doula and your daddy suggested a shower,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">They knew I could do it - my spirit they could empower. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So across to the shower, I shuffled in pain,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My water broke and it went down the drain. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I spent nary a minute when I exclaimed with no doubt,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"I've got to push - this baby is ready to come out!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So pushing I started, couldn't wait to meet you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The pushing felt like I was taking a poo.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We were making progress with nary a glitch,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then in walked the doctor, she was Dr. Bitch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You were almost there, excitement grew in the room.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was tired and wanted you out of my womb.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One more push and I was filled with great joy,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Dr. Bitch said blandly, "here - it's a boy."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You were immediately perfect, but I was lacking cleanness</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To my great surprise - you had a penis. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You were skinny and long, a right happy young child</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And I swear when you farted, I could see that you smiled. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After all the commotion ended and everyone went home</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You and I got to spend some time alone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I will always remember our first night together</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">as we slept cuddled up in the cool spring weather. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I whispered in your ear as you slept next to me,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Happy Birthday sweet Cash, I love you baby. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here are a few things I started <a href="http://runningwithlumpy.blogspot.com/2011/04/dear-cash-one-year.html" target="_blank">two years ago</a>: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Favorite Color: <b>Whatever the color is of the train you are currently holding. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Favorite Word: <b>Trains</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Favorite Food: <b>Donuts</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Favorite Thing To Do: <b>Play the motorcycle game on your iPad. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Last time you cried: <b>You frequently throw toddler fits, but the last time you really cried is probably when you were sick a couple of weeks ago. </b></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Last time you smiled: <b>You're always smiling, unless you're throwing a toddler fit. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What I think you'll be when you grow up: <b>Donut maker or politician</b><b> </b></span></div>
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Here are a few things I started <a href="http://runningwithlumpy.blogspot.com/2012/04/on-eve-of-your-2nd-birthday.html" target="_blank">last year</a>: </div>
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Nicknames: <b>Turd and Cashman</b></div>
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Favorite Song: <b>Accidents Happen (this is a Thomas the Train song, but could also apply to your (lack of) toilet usage) </b></div>
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Favorite Book : <b>One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish</b></div>
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Here are a few new things for this year:</div>
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Your best friend:<b> Desmond (or me - boy's best friend is his mother)</b></div>
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One word to describe your personality: <b>Clever </b></div>
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What you think of your brother: <b>He needs to be poked in the eye, frequently and he should also be awake. </b></div>
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We love you so much Cash. Please be sweet to me, your dad and your brother and please don't grow up too quickly.</div>
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Love,</div>
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Mom</div>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-58218087188850812932013-03-18T11:40:00.002-05:002013-03-18T11:40:34.067-05:00Dear Mac - 3 Months<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Dear Chicky,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I always start out my letters by saying "I can't believe how fast time goes . . ." It's not clever or creative, but it's true.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Unlike your brother's pre-birth name, Lumpy, your name, Chicken (and it's many variations) has stuck. This weekend, Mormor was with your brother and they had the following conversation:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Mormor: Cash, what is your brother's name?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cash: Chicken</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Mormor: What's his real name?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cash: Mac Chicken</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Oh well chicky-baby, at least it's better than your brother's predominate nickname, Turd. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You are a sweet, chunky and smiley 3-month-old. Did I mention chunky? I don't really want this to become your defining characteristic, but seriously, you are a healthy, thriving baby. I actually had to buy you a new foam baby seat because the Bumbo cuts off the circulation in your legs and your feet were turning bluish/purple (although, you really didn't seem to mind). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You still sleep in our bed and although it's not always comfortable; I enjoy the closeness and I think we both sleep a lot better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm in no hurry for you to grow up, but I'm looking forward to the development of your personality. Your father and I like to speculate on how you will act when you are two or three years old. Will you be brave like your brother? Will you be sensitive like your mother? Will you be funny like your father? Will you be forever chunky like the Pillsbury Dough Boy? Only time will tell and time can take it's time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I love you forever and ever. Please be sweet to me, your dad and your brother and please don't grow up too quickly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Mom </span></div>
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<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-27371395556912208172013-03-13T20:13:00.001-05:002013-03-13T20:13:18.236-05:00Little HiatusMy blog is taking a little hiatus, kind of.<br />
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Right now, it's just too difficult to write a daily post (but I will still write from time to time).<br />
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Now, I have Facebook page dedicated to daily pictures and mini-posts. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Filanthropy-Friday/382118345228758" target="_blank"> You can visit me here</a>.<br />
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<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-37522267649128564792013-03-11T20:24:00.003-05:002013-03-11T20:24:35.407-05:00Misfit Monday<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
It's Spring Break!</div>
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This means that quite a few of our misfits are out of the office. That means the remaining misfits are very busy and so I won't make fun of them. </div>
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One quick funny story. The following is a phone conversation between me and one of our cleaning misfits. A customer who he had done a clean for the day before was calling him. </div>
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Misfit: I think that someone gave out my phone number to one of our customers, could you please not give out my phone number?</div>
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Me: We did not give out your phone number. Did you happen to call her when you were on the way to her house?</div>
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Misfit: Well, yeah.</div>
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Me: So, she probably has your phone number on her caller id. </div>
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Misfit: Oh yeah. That's probably how she got it.</div>
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Silly misfit.</div>
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Here is a picture Mac trying to steal (or maybe just look at) Buttin's phone.</div>
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<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-729031559987762222013-03-10T20:43:00.001-05:002013-03-10T20:43:16.098-05:00The Bug Collector<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
It was a little chilly this morning, but Cub wanted to go outside. I dressed him in his Sunday finest (footie pjs, fuzzy crocs and a jacket).</div>
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Cub wanted to find and collect rolli pollies. He's quite the scientist. </div>
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This afternoon, I found his baggie of rolli pollies and decided to set them free. About five minutes later, he wanted his rolli pollies.</div>
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Here is Mac smiling at a cute baby (a mirror).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-H-pX8GemlLRo98hawiDvhA3OqHCrTriBMveVmfbm3bOB7w9q-9YPJszPbobHMWe-aNnimEADl4_DDwGn7wWh3g0eupCKLkd6LbZVH72ZNRepNiDYzgBMC05b1ckGAa6m6gu3DN07IPp/s1600/smile+baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-H-pX8GemlLRo98hawiDvhA3OqHCrTriBMveVmfbm3bOB7w9q-9YPJszPbobHMWe-aNnimEADl4_DDwGn7wWh3g0eupCKLkd6LbZVH72ZNRepNiDYzgBMC05b1ckGAa6m6gu3DN07IPp/s400/smile+baby.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-69520923734059674332013-03-09T20:05:00.003-06:002013-03-09T20:05:44.659-06:00Snuggles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzPUtSR79QIHeaUoxxJoBAZRAQbPTlr6gxHUh6UEQZGAML5Wmv5TbuWIypEyIrhOikxPvav_K-HDE2lXlwRpF8L5VRhbkS7IojJj88RTZWDbM5AqrOqvHi8G7oc6yOFkRMEoOxjS3xxXp/s1600/naptime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzPUtSR79QIHeaUoxxJoBAZRAQbPTlr6gxHUh6UEQZGAML5Wmv5TbuWIypEyIrhOikxPvav_K-HDE2lXlwRpF8L5VRhbkS7IojJj88RTZWDbM5AqrOqvHi8G7oc6yOFkRMEoOxjS3xxXp/s400/naptime.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-16113485093905742882013-03-08T07:53:00.002-06:002013-03-08T07:55:08.256-06:00Filanthropy Friday<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Two charities in one week! I'm totally becoming Bill Gates. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">During my past few runs (small jogs), I've been listening to <a href="http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/488/harper-high-school-part-two" target="_blank">This American Life's two part story on Harper High School in Chicago. </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Stories about kids in difficult situations and the teachers who try to help them really get to me. This broadcast follows the children (really, teenagers), their parents and teachers as they try to survive (literally) during a five month period last year in one Chicago's most violent neighborhoods. All the stories are thoroughly engrossing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The principal of the school has a greeting that she says in the halls - "I appreciate you in advance!". I love the sentiment because many of these kids are not appreciated or their appreciation is conditional. I'm going to try to appreciate more people in advance - even though the misfits sometimes make it difficult. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In one of the segments the producers discussed Harper as a "turnaround" school. The past few years, Harper High School has received additional funding that has gradually decreased as the school has made progress. However, next year they will not receive any turnaround money - essentially, their turnaround period is over and I guess they should be cured. It's really amazing what $1 million can do at a school. This week I donated $15 to <a href="https://www.wepay.com/donations/friends-of-harper-high-school--donations" target="_blank">Harper High School</a>. </span></div>
Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-51714667103498643252013-03-07T15:08:00.001-06:002013-03-07T15:08:10.406-06:00My New Obsession<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My new obsession is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Subscribe/b/ref=rcxsubs_cont_top?ie=UTF8&node=979895011" target="_blank">Amazon - Subscribe and Save</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Amazon offers this nifty service where you can purchase stuff (like household things - paper towels, toilet paper, splenda, etc.) in bulk and get it shipped to your house (no shipping charges) on a schedule (like once every two months). The best thing is that if you subscribe to five things and they are all delivered in the same month - you get an additional 15% off everything in your order. I know, I know - I should be their spokesperson (or better yet, spokesmodel). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Our misfits go through paper towels like they are constantly cleaning stuff or washing their hands (most of them are boys, so I know they're not), but seriously - I have no idea where all the paper towels go - so I've set up a subscription for paper towels - and now I never have to worry about buying them at the grocery store (they take up so much room in the cart). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Also - who never has to lug around a 28lbs box of cat litter? THIS GIRL! I have no idea how it's profitable for Amazon to ship me 28lbs of cat litter - but I'm happy about it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I tried describing the joy of my new found obsession to Buttin (I mean, who knew I could get so excited about a huge box of paper towels on my door step?) and he just looked at me strangely. He said hearing me describe "getting a good deal" was like listening to a junkie talk about their next fix. I'm not sure how he knows this, but I'll take his word for it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here is Mac today - trying to suck his thumb. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydJLO65r-Z7DemKst3NDgnqUWdX1CgEYSDCEXDaJPPNB0tNq_iUpZTLtQahkagBfQ4iaBiAotwg12bfcdN2AfQBUDWOB05TrEtq9QeQvpqhUdqjzl9unZUJ9n7IPqw0OgSdpGmPz-yF21/s1600/thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydJLO65r-Z7DemKst3NDgnqUWdX1CgEYSDCEXDaJPPNB0tNq_iUpZTLtQahkagBfQ4iaBiAotwg12bfcdN2AfQBUDWOB05TrEtq9QeQvpqhUdqjzl9unZUJ9n7IPqw0OgSdpGmPz-yF21/s1600/thumb.jpg" height="306" width="400" /></a></div>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-61229335283449691882013-03-06T19:53:00.001-06:002013-03-06T19:53:29.694-06:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRSHAJmXW4N9p85LBo8Na2ZGLsABW3Rntp0jlbm0ZZqiG6FvtAGwG-rb7kDvTAwWW9Bi1bRH6j0OFIXG9a8J4xw1qYFsT90okD9fEDPJpdZ-GjLtIG03_aOY6Z-BaAetqDT3icZNUu-3k/s1600/car+tracks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRSHAJmXW4N9p85LBo8Na2ZGLsABW3Rntp0jlbm0ZZqiG6FvtAGwG-rb7kDvTAwWW9Bi1bRH6j0OFIXG9a8J4xw1qYFsT90okD9fEDPJpdZ-GjLtIG03_aOY6Z-BaAetqDT3icZNUu-3k/s400/car+tracks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-65096144293409642392013-03-06T07:51:00.001-06:002013-03-06T07:51:19.945-06:00Filanthropy Tuesday?<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Yesterday was a huge city-wide giving fest!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://amplifyaustin.s3.amazonaws.com/leaderboard.html" target="_blank">I Live Here, I Give Here's campaign, Amplify Austin</a>, raised $2.8 Million in 24 hours for local charities. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I gave $25 to <a href="http://behiveaustin.org/" target="_blank">BeHive Austin</a> - they provide after school learning programs to at-risk and low income children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now, a picture of Mac.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSr4mRelFq9XeNGm6wOs-2Xwz-WV-ZbfPlALd5DK455Hi4xpBpAzKlj0E-hoq0yxLAJBapu6GW7hCt-5jIUFGcP6ve3MF38WJuPvXG0onXcYv-t6UFLevQ7czsZAGfXJdGcbS_yOy3cgX/s1600/mac+bumbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSr4mRelFq9XeNGm6wOs-2Xwz-WV-ZbfPlALd5DK455Hi4xpBpAzKlj0E-hoq0yxLAJBapu6GW7hCt-5jIUFGcP6ve3MF38WJuPvXG0onXcYv-t6UFLevQ7czsZAGfXJdGcbS_yOy3cgX/s400/mac+bumbo.jpg" width="323" /></a></div>
<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-75604427390938196052013-03-04T20:41:00.000-06:002013-03-04T20:41:05.852-06:00Misfit Monday<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
For the most part, we have patient, reasonable customers. This post is not about those customers.</div>
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We have some (thankfully very few) customers who take advantage of us. </div>
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Say for example, a customer calls and orders X. We do X. Then they call back and say they ordered Y. We have no way to prove they ordered X (although I'm about 95% sure they did) and OF COURSE, Y is cheaper than X. We have to eat the cost. There's really no way to win this argument except we're now making certain customers email all orders.</div>
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Here is Cash today climbing on a pole.</div>
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You'll notice his black "leash". He now loves to be taken for a walk while I hold onto his leash. We get some strange looks.</div>
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<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-32692449116249316562013-03-03T20:06:00.000-06:002013-03-03T20:06:05.865-06:00Weekend Recap<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
Here are a few pictures from our weekend.</div>
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Cash on the train (he and I spent a little time together on Saturday afternoon - it was nice)</div>
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We brought the Bumbo out this weekend.</div>
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Cash still fits in it pretty easily.</div>
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Mac's chubby legs barely fit in the Bumbo. When I try to take him out of the Bumbo - I have the push down on the chair at the same time. </div>
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Here are Cash, Mac and Mouser (looking for "squirrels in the food machine" - we checked and we actually have about four "squirrels"). Cash asked if we were going to turn the squirrels into food. Um. No. </div>
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<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-912969581796034642013-03-01T08:25:00.001-06:002013-03-01T08:25:11.992-06:00Filanthropy Friday<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My feelings on images with words purported to be fact posted to Facebook are documented. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, this week I saw a new one:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I was shocked. I'm not the most savvy benefactor (actually, I'm a benefactress), but I LOVE some of these organizations - The Red Cross, The March of Dimes & UNICEF - and I've done my research. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Was it possible that I was duped? Does the March of Dimes really only spend $.10 of every dollar on services? </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Um - you guessed it - NO! WRONG-O! What a shocker! Something posted on Facebook is WRONG. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I went to a very trusted site, <a href="http://charitynavigator.org/" target="_blank">Charity Navigator</a>, and<a href="http://blog.charitynavigator.org/2013/02/social-media-dont-believe-everything.html" target="_blank"> they had a blog post about the whole incident</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Charity Navigator is actually a nonprofit - so I donated $10 to them today as a thank you for being an excellent tool in my becoming the next Andrew Carnegie. </span></div>
Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-81672812526016750292013-02-28T19:43:00.000-06:002013-02-28T19:43:13.509-06:00Security Blanket<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
Cash has never used a security blanket (or stuffed animal or lovie).</div>
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However, he now has a little security item that Buttin and I find adorable - - a book. </div>
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Every night, he snuggles "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Fish-Blue-Read-Myself/dp/0394800133" target="_blank">One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish</a>" and tells me the story about how one horrible, horrible night his book fell in between the mattress and the railing and was lost for all eternity (or at least until morning when I retrieved it). Apparently, that night was pretty dramatic for him. </div>
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It's sweet how he tucks his book in next to him every night and makes sure his book has covers. He treats the book better than most of his friends at school. One night I hope to get a picture of him snuggling his book. </div>
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Here he is today telling me the story about the "Squirrel in the Food Machine". </div>
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Translation: Squirrel in the Food Machine = Rat in the Grill</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">P.S. The rat (or mouse) is alive and well and using our grill as a mouse-mansion </span></div>
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<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-38281770182084749882013-02-27T19:48:00.003-06:002013-02-27T19:48:58.638-06:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-26487424749312844992013-02-26T20:06:00.002-06:002013-02-26T20:06:55.623-06:00Good Dog<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
All weekend long I wanted to write a post about Riggs and our adventure on Saturday morning.</div>
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On Saturday night I was semi-alone (just me and the boys), so it was difficult to blog with a 2 month old sleeping in my lap (lazy excuse - I know) and by Sunday night Buttin and I had come to a difficult decision and I wasn't really in the mood to write about Riggs.</div>
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The good stuff: </div>
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Saturday morning was fantastic. I went for a run and decided to bring Riggs (I'm not really up in the mileage department, so I figured he could handle 3 miles pretty easy). We ran down to some big open fields and then I just let him off his leash and let him run. He was in puppy paradise.</div>
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When I got home from my run with Riggs, Cash decided HE wanted to take Riggs for a run immediately - which wearing footie pjs. We had a great time.</div>
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The bad stuff: </div>
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On Sunday afternoon while we were all downstairs, Riggs snapped and barked at Miss Hannah and caught her on the mouth (it wasn't a puncture bite - more of a graze). He scared her (and the rest of us) more than he hurt her. </div>
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The trouble is that this was not the first time Riggs has snapped - but it was the first time he actually made a person bleed. Riggs knows Miss Hannah very well and she did not scare him. </div>
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Buttin and I came to the sad decision relatively quickly that we would have to give Riggs back to the Great Dane Rescue - we cannot have this kind of unpredictability around our boys. I spoke (and cried) to the president of the Great Dane Rescue and she agreed. </div>
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Today, Buttin drove Riggs back to Houston. Buttin said that it was much worse than he expected. I felt bad that Buttin had to make the drive by himself. </div>
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I spoke to the rescue people and they're going to keep up us to date on his progress. They said sometimes behavioral problems (the result of a bad treatment as puppies) don't really show up until the dog gets older. They're going to send Riggs to doggie therapy. </div>
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For the first time in about 12 years I'm living in a house without a dog. We are now (gulp) cat people. It's sad, but Buttin and I are going to wait until the boys get older before getting another dog.</div>
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Here's a happy picture of Cub today - for some reason he needed to wear his hat (although it wasn't really cold outside).</div>
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<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-12178008171972854322013-02-25T19:44:00.002-06:002013-02-25T19:44:33.352-06:00Misfit Monday<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Roaches! Roaches! Roaches!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I hate roaches. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A large colony seemed to have set up camp in my office and it's horrible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Let me set the scene. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Me in a semi-dark room, feeding PupPup - I spot a roach crawling across my keyboard. <i>I'm paralyzed.</i> I can't scream, I can't jump up and smash it - all I can do is watch and see where it goes in the hopes that I'll be able to put Mac in his bed and quietly scream for Buttin (or anyone, really). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My office contains about fifteen roach motels (those things that give them poison - I'm not ashamed - I am not for the ethical destruction of roaches) and I've sprayed (with the all natural spray - that's supposedly safe for people and animals, but kills roaches and smells like pine-lemon butthole), but they're still crawling everywhere. Two today, so far. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Brandi (very sweet, wonderful misfit who I will always be indebted to) has helped me clean my office (and she kills the roaches when Buttin isn't available) - TWICE. Of course, while we (mostly Brandi) were cleaning we spotted ZERO roaches. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To make matters worse, I now see roaches <i>all the time</i> - even when they're not there. Stupid eyes playing tricks on me. I was really hoping all my (Brandi's) cleaning would help get rid of the roaches, but it only seemed to keep them away for a couple of days. I'm not sure what to do now - maybe call a professional. I can't work in this hostile environment. </span></div>
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Here is Cashman in his favorite environment - playing with trains.</div>
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<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-25978941977089058212013-02-24T19:37:00.003-06:002013-02-24T19:37:45.618-06:00Weekend With Gigi<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
Maybe you got from the title of this post that Gigi spent the weekend with us - it was fantastic.We actually got to see a movie on Friday night (a first since before Chicken).</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Looks like we might get another night with Gigi. A winter storm is on it's way and she should probably stay put in warm, cozy Austin and not venture north. </span></div>
Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-37650923814758978632013-02-22T07:39:00.003-06:002013-02-22T07:39:26.976-06:00Filanthropy Friday<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After last week's terribly sad donation, I really wanted to do something happy or uplifting today. I wasn't having much luck, but then one of my baby mama friends gave me an excellent suggestion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This week I donated $20 to the Mothers' Milk Bank of Austin (my baby mama friend has donated 450 oz of milk!!!). The Mothers' Milk Bank collects, pasteurizes and distributes donor breast milk to premature and ill infants. I don't always like breast feeding, but I know that it's good for my baby. Not all babies have access to breast milk (or as Cash calls it "baby milk") so Mothers' Milk Bank of Austin is doing very good work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I don't usually share pictures on Fridays, but this one is fitting - here is Cash trying to make "baby milk". </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAtg2-da7s-I71WDRM8u2YVwabQwHy8d13jqS32GcurLkcUuVabIyGsaXwsgJiuAMX8dd5rPOXiH_oaJ4qXLUhWvlOc0IFADDn483CaPv2PBgLW-Uky0MSa86eV1PQrPWUblFUVnLoEY-/s1600/make+baby+milk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAtg2-da7s-I71WDRM8u2YVwabQwHy8d13jqS32GcurLkcUuVabIyGsaXwsgJiuAMX8dd5rPOXiH_oaJ4qXLUhWvlOc0IFADDn483CaPv2PBgLW-Uky0MSa86eV1PQrPWUblFUVnLoEY-/s1600/make+baby+milk.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-53071715044973712652013-02-21T20:22:00.002-06:002013-02-21T20:22:39.567-06:00My Little Man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHqmHZbh6aH64Iqgjo1nvvdnC1lEBzv8B0Rq2ki8GoWt6caknhqGTxMlZGwVkYbOPOWl_0mgi81GktgjOahVwtGXlWtEG_8wNqZr2RF0NYSSU5WQGNO98yNGjrv7p-NCh9LRB5kjRoAex/s1600/bathtime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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This little boy is growing up too quickly.</div>
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<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-6190014495609859202013-02-20T20:17:00.001-06:002013-02-20T20:17:02.809-06:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb77PTGsgUpob7eOkVtOly9RQFn7NWsJjb2khLx5Zpgr8ThCmdnECrg0Pic1X0dnJVJu7T6gpYqH0w85YDquRw3wCt26xyjtOrww_6Jnn4r0yWsFhX0wVHahGw4KthloDxKx2snF3QJ-hC/s1600/bubbles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb77PTGsgUpob7eOkVtOly9RQFn7NWsJjb2khLx5Zpgr8ThCmdnECrg0Pic1X0dnJVJu7T6gpYqH0w85YDquRw3wCt26xyjtOrww_6Jnn4r0yWsFhX0wVHahGw4KthloDxKx2snF3QJ-hC/s400/bubbles.jpg" width="348" /></a></div>
<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-40042028159799384152013-02-19T20:30:00.001-06:002013-02-19T20:30:18.338-06:00Big Mac - 2 Month Appointment<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
Today we went to Mac's (who I'm holding right now and typing with one hand, so this will be short) 2 month appointment.</div>
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Updates:</div>
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<li>Weight - 15lbs, 10 oz - >95th percentile (I'm not sure if the greater than sign means odd the charts or what).</li>
<li>Height - 23 inches - 50th percentile</li>
<li>Mac has an ear infection (he's had a cold now for a couple of weeks). </li>
<li>Vaccines weren't fun, but were much better than they were with Cash.</li>
<li>I really like our new pediatrician, Dr. T. </li>
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Here is Mr. Chunky-Mac.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here is sleepy Mac.</span><br />
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-7835336105022194252013-02-18T20:03:00.001-06:002013-02-18T20:03:19.174-06:00Misfit Monday<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
Our misfits are so dramatic. Buttin has to play dad/referee to many adults who are older than he is. I like to think of all this as training for one day having teenagers, but I don't think our children will ever be as bad as our misfits. </div>
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I'm sure Cash will thank me one day for this picture - here he is peeing "like a big boy".</div>
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<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-5150082148617323982013-02-17T19:43:00.000-06:002013-02-17T19:43:23.216-06:00Happy Two Months Chicken! <div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
No letter tonight - hopefully later in the week. </div>
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Here is Mac giving smiles to Mormor.</div>
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<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016347607996133368.post-59108343193725695412013-02-16T20:28:00.005-06:002013-02-16T20:28:54.891-06:00Potty Humor<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
We've experienced some small success with potty training. Since we talk about the potty quite a bit, we also have some body awareness conversation. </div>
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This morning Cash decided he wanted to be naked (no diaper, no underpants, no nothing) and peed a few times in the toilet, but mostly peed all over the floor. He thought it was hilarious to dribble pee everywhere. A couple of times he managed to go in his toilet. During one of these times he proudly declared (twice), "I have a big penis.". </div>
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I had no idea how to respond to this statement, so I just praised his going potty in the toilet. I'm sure my friend, Jen, would find this hilarious. I remember laughing when her son told me something similar many, many years ago and she kind of snickered - <i>just you wait</i>. I suppose all little boys like to talk about their penis. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here are some pictures of our family today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I finally got a shirt on Cash.</span></div>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674559327574290119noreply@blogger.com0