For you, Uncle Ryan

When we were kids, my brother Ryan had this annoying move that he called "Floppyarms." I had blocked it from my memory until Micah started doing this "dance" last night. His technique is a bit different (Ryan used to pull his arms up inside his sleeves) but the effect is the same. . .

(Sorry -- I know the video is a bit dark.)

I am still not used to this

Disclaimer: This post contains some questionable anatomical language. Read at your own risk :)


Apparently when you have a kid, that gives ANY parent or grandparent, acquaintance or complete stranger, the right to approach you and tell you ANYTHING they want about their child or grandchild. And you are supposed to care, even when you don't know their kid and will never see this person again. Grandparents, you are usually the bigger offenders. Today Micah and I were in WalMart, and a stranger grandma approaches us. The conversation:

Stranger Grandma: (to Micah) "How old are you?"

Me (politely smiling): "He's 13 months."

Stranger Grandma: "My grandson is 5. He comes up to here on me (she holds her hand up to her chest area). I was talking with my relative in Tampa this morning and he asked how tall my grandson is, and I didn't think I should say that he was 'titty level' high."

Me: (in my head; not out loud) "Umm. . . . so why are you feeling compelled to tell me? Micah, let's get the heck out of here."

Voter Guide 2008

With the election quickly approaching, I asked Kedron to add a sidebar with some helpful websites. The first 2 are the best "fact checking" sites online - so you can see if the candidates are bending the truth. And Pollster.com tracks the most recent state polls, so you can get a sense of how the Electoral College map is shaping up. Project Vote Smart has all kinds of good info about every candidate's voting records (they even have information on state and local candidates! -- Ked is on the Advisory Board for their state legislative voting program). Snopes.com and truthorfiction.com are for all of you who get lots of political email forwards; you can check their accuracy here. The last link is for undecided voters; you can take a survey that gathers your opinions on issues and it matches you with the best candidate based on those views.

So. . . you all better be getting prepared to vote!

(Except for Dave and Jill - we don't want you to get deported :)

Great Moments in Parenting 2

I'll start off this post with the fact that Micah is totally fine.

Micah and I often like to kick back on our bed and watch a little TV. He woke up early from his nap today, so I thought maybe he'd cuddle with me a little on the bed and maybe fall back asleep. Of course, he didn't. He got bored with TV and started squirming; sitting up at first and then crawling. The bed isn't that big so I usually keep hold of one of his legs so he doesn't fall off. Well, crawling and sitting escalated to standing on the bed. He has done this before, but again I usually have ahold of one of his legs (because that makes standing on the bed TOTALLY safe, right?). Well, all of a sudden he shot up on the bed and took off running. Yes, you know how this story will end. As what can only be described as an Alicia Sacramone-type dismount, he of course fell off the bed. He actually started tripping when he hit the end of the bed, so he went head first over the side. Now, I didn't actually see the impact but I believe his hands broke his fall somewhat; at worst he would have landed on his face as opposed to the top of his head (and neck). After just a couple minutes of scared screams, he was OK. All his limbs are moving just fine - so hopefully there's not too much damage. Man, did I feel bad. I guess our TV watching days on the bed are over. . .

If You're Happy and You Know It. . .

After nearly 13 months of slacking, Micah FINALLY clapped his hands for the first time. I was worried we'd have to enroll him in the remedial music classes in Kindergarten if he didn't step it up!

Babble Babble

Be sure to turn up the volume high so you can hear Micah's latest language.

Mommy's weekend away!

I spend the last weekend at PJ's and Pigtails. It is a wonderful bed and breakfast for scrapbookers and crafters! We spent the whole weekend scrapping, eating fabulous home cooked meals, and being pampered. I would highly recommend this bed and breakfast for any crafters! I plan to go again in a year or two. It was so nice to get away.

Kedron and Micah had a great weekend! It appears that Micah has given up crawling completely now. He was still crawling somewhat when I left, but I have not seen him crawl at all since I got back yesterday afternoon. Crawling is SO two days ago. . .

MAJOR Milestone

Micah had his first taste of pizza tonight. Of course, he loved it. What's not to like?? We're giving him table foods pretty much exclusively now and he is a really good eater - most days!

He also went to the doctor yesterday for his 12 month check up and shots. He really hates the doctor's office. He started screaming when I took off his clothes to be weighed and basically didn't stop until the shots were done (a loooong time later). Micah remains VERY small. He still has not broken 20 lbs and is BELOW the 10th percentile for weight (before anyone comments, "well Rachel, YOU'RE small" - he is much smaller than I was at this age. I worry about his weight. That's what Moms do, right?) . He is in the 45th percentile for height, and the 50th for head circumference, so at least his brain is normal sized!!

Family Photo

Just in case any of you have forgotten what Ked or I look like. . .

Micah at age one

I am starting to see a lot of Kedron in Micah's personality. Micah is definitely very intellectual for a baby. He is very thoughtful as he plays with his toys; turning them all around to figure out how they work. He is really detail-oriented. If there is a small hole anywhere (on his toys, in his crib, around the house, etc) he MUST stick his little finger in it! He often sleeps at night with his middle finger stuck into one of the peg holes in his crib. So cute! He is also a bit introverted now; he can play for himself for long periods of time and gets kind of overwhelmed when there are too many people around. He also makes the same annoying face that Kedron makes when he gets upset. . . Hopefully that one won't last!