Saturday, December 13, 2008
New word
Today Emma spent the day helping Noni and Popi get their Christmas tree set up while I went Christmas shopping solo. Noni was telling me about this little girl who was sitting at the table next to them in McDonald's at lunchtime. Noni said the girl was about 21 months old (she later found out from the mama). Popi said "Hello" to the little girl and she didn't respond.

Emma then asked Noni, "Is she shy or is she just being a jerk?"
Thursday, December 11, 2008
What a day...
This morning Emma woke up with a red and swollen eye. She couldn't even open it for the gunk. I'd noticed it was a little gunky yesterday, but didn't think much of it. I gave her a warm compress for the eye and she was soon able to open it. So I'm thinking pink eye, right? I've never had it, or seen it, and neither has M. I do know that it's highly contagious so we probably shouldn't be sending her to school. I called the medical center and they squeezed me in at 10:15 a.m. Emma went to work with M until I picked her up for her appointment.

Now, my Emma is a BIG worrier. She can get so worked up about something beforehand that it will drive you nuts. She was afraid of the doctor's appointment. We tried to assure her that they wouldn't hurt her. She was dubious.

The appointment went fine. They didn't hurt her and she showed real confidence in talking with the doctor. Unfortunately he's the same doctor who can never, ever, ever give you a straight answer or diagnosis. It could be pink eye, or a bacterial inflammation, or this, or that. He never would say for sure it was pink eye. He was doubtful because it's only in one eye and she showed some symptoms of an allergic reaction. Great, no answer, as usual. He did give us drops for her eyes which we're supposed to put in four times a day for five days, or until the problem disappears.

Now we come to the hard part. She freaks out about the eye drops. She can't hold her eye open for it so it takes two of us, literally prying her eye open to get it in. Then she immediately starts bawling which probably washes all the eyedrop out. This last time, before bed, she got hysterical. M and I are both mean. "It HURTS!!!," she shrieked at us. She cursed us forty different (four year-old) ways, even hit me with her pillow. Then she looks at the dropper in my hand and tells me, "Get that thing out of here." Oy, such a drama queen. I felt like enough of a dog that I didn't correct her much.

I'll be praying she wakes up with a perfect looking eye tomorrow. Meanwhile, M plans to be the one to take care of her during the workday.
The Beauty of a Woman
Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater.

If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby.

If you give her a house, she'll give you a home.

If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal.

If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart.

A woman multiplies and enlarges what is given to her.

Why is this important for every man to know?

Because if you give her any crap, you need be ready to receive a ton of shit in return.

(Hee hee, I hadn't seen this one before)
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
One more bit of news...
Recently I changed from being "Mommy" to "Mama." I'm not sure why this happened. I don't mind because "Mama" sounds pretty cute rolling off of Emma's tongue.
Forgot these...
We took these photos when we were in Williamsburg in October. We were at the Prime Outlets in the Osh Kosh B'Gosh store. It was M's idea to put her up there.


News bites
1. I had the day off today and spent it tidying up and decorating the house for Christmas. I have tons more work to do in the tidying department, but meanwhile my house at least looks festive. I hope to get our tree up by this Sunday.

2. I just switched my car insurance and saved over $400 a year. When I bought my Hyundai I called my insurance agent prior to making a decision about buying. Instead of looking up my premiums on the vehicle I was asking about he just guesstimated. His laziness cost him my business because he guessed around $600-$700. When I received the actual bill it was over $1000. This for a person with a spotless driving record and no accidents in over five years. I went to insurance through my credit union. I'm hoping I made the right move.

3. On Saturday I'll have at least five boxes of stuff for Goodwill. It's a start.

4. I love my new recliner in the computer room. M rearranged it and it sits at a better angle now. Can't wait to have a baby to cuddle in that chair.

5. I'm mostly done with my Christmas shopping. I think I suceeded in cutting back on my spending. I'm hoping no one will feel particularly deprived.

6. We watched "Tropic Thunder" last night. I laughed my ass off. It was a very quoteworthy movie. I will say I was glad I didn't sit down and watch it with my neighbors. I would have been way to self-conscious to enjoy it as much as I did.

7. Right now simultaneously reading "Choosing Civility: The Twenty-five Rules of Considerate Conduct" and re-reading C. S. Lewis's "Mere Christianity." I'm trying to refocus my energy away from my selfish needs and more onto those around me. These books are helping.

8. I'm without a doubt feeling "the quickening." I've had moments where I've wondered for the last several weeks but then I always think...maybe it's gas. This week I'm sure I'm feeling the baby move. I particularly enjoy this part of pregnancy.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Gingerbread Neighborhood
Uncle B's neighbors have a 30-year tradition of having a Gingerbread House Party. They provide the houses and the candy and the kids and their parents come and decorate. This is the second year for Emma's cousins. This time she was lucky enough to be along.

Here you can see the huge table set up with dozens and dozens of kinds of candy.


Here are the houses-in-waiting for more guests.


Emma and J working diligently to decorate their houses.


Busted! There was a lot of this going on.


M worked very hard on her house. It's quite stylish.


I think J did the best on overall candy coverage.


All the masterpieces. Emma's is on the left.

Monday, December 08, 2008
Another dress picture
We went to Uncle B's church on Sunday, and as usual I can't resist taking a picture of Emma in a dress.

Don we now our gay apparel...
This weekend we went to Uncle B's. Saturday we went shopping at Sam's, visited his military post, and went to downtown Frederick, MD for their First Saturday shopping experience. They had the town decorated with lights and luminaries along the streets, the shops had free snacks and drinks, and it was dog friendly. On the whole the shops we hit had a hippie/boho vibe. We did find a few bargains. It was a nice way to get into the festive spirit. They had carolers wandering the streets and we even stumbled upon an a cappella group singing on a side street. I froze my toes and my fingertips, but it was worth it.


Installing a new printer
It's taking a ridiculous amount of time for the software to install. And this is my second attempt. I started installing this thing two and a half hours ago. It didn't help that the setup poster wasn't in the box. I got some things out of order, which didn't help the first attempt. So here I am again, waiting, waiting.

I'm switching from Canon to HP so wish me luck.