Friday, April 30, 2010
Part II: Setting Up For Andrew
Hanging Out in the Car
Adam just LOVES to hang out and "drive" the cars. So when we were putting in Andrew's car seats, that's what we let him do the entire time. He loves to press buttons and crawl all over the place. He also is THRILLED whenever we let him sit in our laps as we put away in the car in the garage as he's REALLY driving then (to go the entire 100 feet!). He also knows he needs keys to drive the car and is always trying to convince us to put them in (which we won't do unless he's in our laps, just for general safety as I don't THINK he could get it in gear, but I know better than to assume with him!). Our biggest problem is that he obsessed with Ray's manual gear shift and we don't let him play with that (again, since he'd need the clutch in, I don't think he could do it, but you never know!).Thursday, April 29, 2010
Andrew's Car Seats
Adam in the Garage
Store Annoyances
I went grocery shopping today and there was a promotion on baby items (which included diapers) that if you spent $30 on certain items, you'd get a $6 coupon for next time. Given that a box of diapers is $20, this is easy to do and so I was happy to do this. My grocery store is into these promotions - buy from these items now and get a coupon for later. The coupons are usually pretty good (a couple of dollars at a time). BUT the promotions are, to my mind, deliberately confusing and misleading. They are hoping you will buy the wrong items and then not get the "reward," and either not realize it or not bother to complain (I always do...I've actually made them take back an entire bag of groceries over this in the past). You always have to buy specific sizes and types....in other words, you have to be a lawyer to figure it out and often they don't have some of the items listed! Now today, first they didn't have the boxed diapers in smaller sizes (I'm trying to stock up a bit for Andrew to avoid having to go out right after he's born) and the only sign was at the END of the aisle (with a small display) rather than WITH the products mentioned. So it took me about 5 trips back and forth to make sure I had the "right" items, but today I did win - I got my coupon without having to complain! But seriously.....it shouldn't be THAT much work! Seriously, I get that they are trying to make money, but try to be HONEST about how you do it!
Our Update
We are working on slowly getting ready for Andrew - car seats and bassinet are set up! Adam is still NOT interested in potty training. He just doesn't seem to care. We are trying to figure out how to get him to at least try when we aren't home as the regular toilets are just too big for him.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Our Day of Ups and Downs
I'm off to see if I can get SOME grading done before I collapse for the night...and I have to be up tomorrow to call the dentist about an appointment as soon as they open...my tooth still feels off and I do NOT want that bad infection pain back, so I'm being pro-active (usually not me on dental/medical stuff), but Monday is a horrible day for Ray (big presentation), so he can't help and finding somewhere to drop Adam off has been problematic (not because people don't want to help, but because it is such short notice). I'm actually still doing okay (knock on wood), so I'm calling first thing to either move the appointment later in the day or until Tuesday, but we were really worried it would be back over the weekend, hence the Monday appointment.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Did Courtesy Services leave with the Baggers?
Overall, I like my grocery store, minus the usual nuisances (deliberately misleading ads, etc.), but I just think these bigger stores are losing their common courtesies in an effort to cut costs. I don't need help regularly, but I'm sure a lot of people DO and it seems that you have to ask for it, rather than it being offered. I just wish they'd have their cashiers pay a little more attention to who might want/need help.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Super Adam!
Adam still firmly believes he can outrun sleep! So this was him about 15 minutes before tub time (so bed time's start) yesterday - literally running himself in circles in hopes that it would keep him awake!
Sliding with Mickey
Adam got this little Mickey from Aunt Maureen for Easter. Today it had to go sliding with him - you can see Mickey took a ride down the slide!
Quote of the Day
I hold you in my arms and I embrace you with all my heart and long fearfully to kiss you again and be with you in nature's costume, like Adam and Eve. (Clay,54)He was telling her that he wanted her around so they could have sex! First, it is nice that he was writing this to his own wife given this period's many infidelities among this class. This was an arranged marriage (she'd actually been engaged to his brother, who died before they could get married and so he married her) and nice to see love was genuinely there. Second, it just amused me how he phrased it! No one writes like this anymore - what a shame! Writing, with email, just seems to have lost its flair!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The Flashlight
Playing Piano
Adam thinks he's Tom, playing the piano! He does this all over the place - banging away as if on the piano, grandstanding! Sometimes he'll even actually use his keyboard, but he prefers a grander canvas!
Parmesan Pork Roast
Parmesan Pork Roast
Modified from Simple & Delicious
1 boneless whole pork loin roast (4 lbs) [I only used a 2 lb, trimmed, roast, as we didn't need this much, but I did make all of the sauce because I like sauce]
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup honey [as a note, if you spray Pam (cooking spray) on your measuring cup before putting in the honey, it will come out much easier]
3 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp dried basil [yes, TABLESPOONS not TEASPOONS]
2 tbsp minced garlic
2 tbsp olive oil [I just used vegetable oil]
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
Cut roast in half. Put in a slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine cheese, honey, soy sauce, basil, garlic, oil and salt. Pour over roast. Cover and cook on low for 5 1/2 to 6 hours or until you get a thermometer reading of 160 and meat is tender.
Remove meat to serving platter and keep warm. Skim fat from cooking juices (I actually didn't really bother) and put in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth (never put straight cornstarch into a hot liquid, it will clump!). Gradually stir into pan.
Bring to a boil and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
Slice roast and serve with sauce.
Serves 10.
Will I Make My Due Date?
Anyway, anyone want to guess? Ray actually thinks Andrew will arrive the Sunday after my parents arrive so that all our plans to deal with finals week are shot! That's the 9th. My parents arrive on Friday, May 7th.
Mom will absolutely die if Andrew arrives before she gets here - last time about killed her (had she been closer, Ray might have killed her...he was thinking about his own mother!) being so far away and nothing going right.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Gender Specific Toys
Tub Crayons
I didn't even know they made these until we found them at Target (actually Adam did), but they are pretty neat. They write on the bathroom walls, but just wash off - I think they are just colored soap.
Spring Tulips!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Weird Weather
Updated Scrapbooks
Frustrated
Potty Time Books
Adam don't leave hot dogs!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
WWII Tax Propganda
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Aren't all phones video?
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Somewhat Better
Monday, April 12, 2010
Another one....
Oh, and my dental insurance? So I noticed when I was in for a check up a week or two ago that we STILL didn't have "real" ID cards. So I email them and then get a message that says this is too complex (huh? I just want a card!) and I have to call them. But then the card shows up in last week's mail....obviously the complaint worked, even if they seemingly ignored it (although it shouldn't have taken a complaint!).
Friday, April 09, 2010
Deconstructed Grilled Cheese
UND Retired Nickname
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Spring!
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Computer Issues
I really and truly believe computer makers (hardware and software) are just vindictive......
Pregnancy Update
Anyway, by the amount of movement, Andrew is doing very well. Now I'm just ready for him to be OUT!
I have so much to do before then, though, with the end of the term approaching....so not motivated!
Monday, April 05, 2010
First Scraped Up Knee

Adam's Easter Meal

Happy with my auto insurance
Anyway, so rather than complaint about my company, I'm just saying "good job!" It is nice to know that they are this easy to deal with on the simple stuff and so that I can feel confident that when if I really need them - a major issue - they will come through for us.
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Home Safe
Adam crashed pretty quickly when we did get home - PaPa's is SO much fun! He has been a very busy beaver all weekend, so hopefully he gets a good night sleep. Our cat was glad to see us as well - she likes people around so is normally even happy to see Adam!
Adam in the Oldsmobile
Dave got the Oldsmobile out and took Adam for a drive around the subdvision! Adam LOVES to sit in it and "hang" out (push every button possible!). With the great weather this weekend, Dave started it up for him and took him around the block! No seatbelts and all that, so he wasn't taking him anywhere far, but he's fine standing beside him around the neighborhood! As you can see by the picture above - Adam was playing in it and insisted we get in with him!Saturday, April 03, 2010
Dying Easter Eggs
Adam dyed his first Easter Eggs tonight! He wasn't so sure on the process, but had some fun and really liked the stickers at the end! And, hey, his eggs turned out pretty good!

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Olga's preferred spot!.jpg)
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