tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323548359466962312024-02-02T21:32:47.698+00:00American in KilkennyMalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.comBlogger173125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-65576931902055125192012-11-30T22:10:00.001+00:002012-11-30T22:10:55.425+00:00Photo Book<object width="425" height="425" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-ui.swf"/><param name="flashvars" value="configXMLURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/config/config-share.xml&slideshowModuleURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-module.swf&projectGUID=0IbNGbFuxZsXdD&swfName=slideshowFlashContent&showReplay=true"/><param name="menu" value="false"/><param name="quality" value="best"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><embed width="425" height="425" align="middle" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" name="wrapper" quality="best" menu="false" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" flashvars="configXMLURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/config/config-share.xml&slideshowModuleURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-module.swf&projectGUID=0IbNGbFuxZsXdD&swfName=slideshowFlashContent&showReplay=true" src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-ui.swf"></embed></object><p style="width:425px;margin-top:0;text-align:center;"><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0IbNGbFuxZsXRA&cid=SFLYOCWIDGET&eid=115">Click here to view this photo book larger</a><div style="margin-top: 10px; width: 425px; text-align: center;">Photo Book Tip: Create an adventurous <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books" style="color: #6666cc;">travel photo album</a> at Shutterfly.com.</div><img width="1" height="1" border="0" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=photobook&c2=blogger" /></p>Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-34271380973247998182012-11-30T22:05:00.001+00:002012-11-30T22:05:08.610+00:00Photo Book<object width="425" height="425" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-ui.swf"/><param name="flashvars" value="configXMLURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/config/config-share.xml&slideshowModuleURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-module.swf&projectGUID=0IbNGbFuxZsXdD&swfName=slideshowFlashContent&showReplay=true"/><param name="menu" value="false"/><param name="quality" value="best"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><embed width="425" height="425" align="middle" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" name="wrapper" quality="best" menu="false" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" flashvars="configXMLURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/config/config-share.xml&slideshowModuleURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-module.swf&projectGUID=0IbNGbFuxZsXdD&swfName=slideshowFlashContent&showReplay=true" src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-ui.swf"></embed></object><p style="width:425px;margin-top:0;text-align:center;"><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0IbNGbFuxZsXRA&cid=SFLYOCWIDGET&eid=115">Click here to view this photo book larger</a><div style="margin-top: 10px; width: 425px; text-align: center;">Turn your favorite photos into a <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books" style="color: #6666cc;">photo book</a> at Shutterfly.com.</div><img width="1" height="1" border="0" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=photobook&c2=blogger" /></p>Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-21510628865075363862011-04-09T13:25:00.008+01:002011-04-09T16:47:14.194+01:00Totally neglected second childThis post is all about Michael. The second child, first son.
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOJQlmfO0etwngBMYcsecXcmguAbOcAp7R3p0yDz5crS3Wu331K1SX9WUghtHpmn_CzME9HeZgOnJVahx52q0b7Mcrh_KAxUX0M_sqEfC3mhcsJhsrQBTRIH_FrFn__YKBehu8JLtcnBQ/s1600/IMG_0158.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593598653951017410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOJQlmfO0etwngBMYcsecXcmguAbOcAp7R3p0yDz5crS3Wu331K1SX9WUghtHpmn_CzME9HeZgOnJVahx52q0b7Mcrh_KAxUX0M_sqEfC3mhcsJhsrQBTRIH_FrFn__YKBehu8JLtcnBQ/s320/IMG_0158.JPG" /></a> Insert all possible combinations of excuses for lack of blogging. I don't have the time to do it myself, if I want to actually post something today.</div>
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<br /><div>Mick is 19 months and 2 weeks today. He is 32 inches tall and 26 pounds. His first molars are just coming in now. With them, he has twelve teeth.</div>
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<br /><div>I already cant remember when he started walking but he is currently working on running. He throws (everything) overhand and can catch a ball if you happen to get it into his outstretched hands.</div>
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<br /><div>He is the quintessential boy.
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<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ap0zzkly0KQJz3F2t-sTxpoXmlmfNzyaNAPfzEf9oJpTzBojSo9N4EjaGwybdnYqd2z2tXBGZo3GKYvHIoVJ8iMPR8rxyZ-hD0Iee_DKObQ5nKWy_OizuYPq6R5XfT0KUuBJgOuWftnO/s1600/IMG_0275.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593597312992378658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ap0zzkly0KQJz3F2t-sTxpoXmlmfNzyaNAPfzEf9oJpTzBojSo9N4EjaGwybdnYqd2z2tXBGZo3GKYvHIoVJ8iMPR8rxyZ-hD0Iee_DKObQ5nKWy_OizuYPq6R5XfT0KUuBJgOuWftnO/s320/IMG_0275.JPG" /></a></div>
<br /><div align="center">(well...)</div>
<br /><div>Loves <em>anything</em> with wheels. He is content to sit on his tricycle and go nowhere. Though he'd rather be taken for a ride. </div>
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73tuZsIBawyGhHCbwMyyZarijMmhORnRWqFA59gBKynVZJPNGVffgWJP3IMfgheJtqSbgWnp2A9kvHdzJjJDEqGwbKzaQn8MdflA0zGsWfboEVwkUejKMsjsOKXltMbfKh1Phl0aWdR_0/s1600/IMG_0054.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593597304116352802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73tuZsIBawyGhHCbwMyyZarijMmhORnRWqFA59gBKynVZJPNGVffgWJP3IMfgheJtqSbgWnp2A9kvHdzJjJDEqGwbKzaQn8MdflA0zGsWfboEVwkUejKMsjsOKXltMbfKh1Phl0aWdR_0/s320/IMG_0054.JPG" /></a>
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguL8YGrMzwBZYraeChCmcVpzlDUvlm4rQP1WTaOqVDCt9hXZHjr4eKCN4mda_4a_IjlmGkjiLeUJL2notqU9dC9KwY5lS8VT1I-lncNuMjCvRhj4JBb4ONrjj9vcTHrHLhTiw3Ew424UY2/s1600/IMG_0154.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593597306700029026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguL8YGrMzwBZYraeChCmcVpzlDUvlm4rQP1WTaOqVDCt9hXZHjr4eKCN4mda_4a_IjlmGkjiLeUJL2notqU9dC9KwY5lS8VT1I-lncNuMjCvRhj4JBb4ONrjj9vcTHrHLhTiw3Ew424UY2/s320/IMG_0154.JPG" /></a>
<br /></div>He loves his sister. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgjsCQspbZQ3o06xztnvsImuaXzA1TfRQ965WFguAI2XbyC6tByZ-ZUYK5JPWvzD8FWPdooOHwhJQrZsDAHeNE67iQBxqvxPlTl3FwjvC6VQsNtsq1O-wxZITK9oq2MtU9pnkBiVP5ERk/s1600/313.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593600849171864162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgjsCQspbZQ3o06xztnvsImuaXzA1TfRQ965WFguAI2XbyC6tByZ-ZUYK5JPWvzD8FWPdooOHwhJQrZsDAHeNE67iQBxqvxPlTl3FwjvC6VQsNtsq1O-wxZITK9oq2MtU9pnkBiVP5ERk/s320/313.JPG" /></a> She has exerted her big sister power all along, but now the student has become the master.
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3qzBBLhg6gOiMDIQlcprk5b55gRGtd9BOGblvTtXrbiYvQvrN3Ul7vzodOEtkx_5ClhsQkB9Dvkth5IBV930hixJ7BMWr4q0vQOkl69aETvxd3V3DoL1-MceVSEEeKyzA7tKg_D_dUZe/s1600/IMG_0274.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593598644626598178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3qzBBLhg6gOiMDIQlcprk5b55gRGtd9BOGblvTtXrbiYvQvrN3Ul7vzodOEtkx_5ClhsQkB9Dvkth5IBV930hixJ7BMWr4q0vQOkl69aETvxd3V3DoL1-MceVSEEeKyzA7tKg_D_dUZe/s320/IMG_0274.JPG" /></a>His repertoire includes hitting, pinching and biting. I got slapped across the face the other day and he wasn't joking when he did it. </div>
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<br /><div>I refer to him as <em>DC</em> sometimes, as he is totally a product of Day Care. This past year he was at Miami Shores Community Church which is close to Manus' office but far from everything else. I have no complaints about it aside from the overpowering stench of Pine Sol in his classroom. Next year he will go to St. Patrick's with his sister where he should really begin a quality education.</div>
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<br /><div>This stink of cleanser has done nothing to keep Mick from getting every bug that's gone around either. Every cough or cold has led to ear infections (at least 6 since last August) and now we have to make an appointment with an ENT to see about the insertion of ear tubes.</div>
<br /><div>Mick has also been diagnosed with asthma. He has had a chronic dry cough since last August and on two occasions the docs have heard some wheezing so he's been on Flovent and Xopenex inhalers. Its hard to judge if he gets short of breath when he exerts himself or short of breath because he runs around in circles. I told the doctors that the only times he doesn't have the cough is during and for a few days after his many antibiotic courses (for the ear infections) but they say its only coincidence. This last visit (yesterday) the doc said maybe it's allergies all along so we're gonna try Singulair at night. I can't decide which diagnosis would be worse - asthma or allergies.</div>
<br /><div>Where Katie is a bit timid, Mick charges in to everything at full speed. He's never met a garden hose he didn't like. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbNhLDJnjwSiXYZtpWTqKLrW9lZcWSqj4fbzsTsm-lrsLnHiD8zBDcFHs3HvZclN9u13TAfVNSyerZTtkdDOapYoPdjcYCXjemfa-XmcLmjtGoPQZcbwZ1pp1QrJbeCtaR8qH_uVWARnH/s1600/IMG_0201.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593605453377517442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbNhLDJnjwSiXYZtpWTqKLrW9lZcWSqj4fbzsTsm-lrsLnHiD8zBDcFHs3HvZclN9u13TAfVNSyerZTtkdDOapYoPdjcYCXjemfa-XmcLmjtGoPQZcbwZ1pp1QrJbeCtaR8qH_uVWARnH/s320/IMG_0201.JPG" /></a>
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpWaBQzdsuq0SST0K88bHgx9Undt2gaMiEIXlRPhddaBPyZdUnR8VUxlMwYjye5i2V_erTl3-cYa0zHu8n4jd5Lb1-aoC1M2lJhM40WPiCDdU655Hl3oU9A29dVyhQVgW2gpg6TZCCThB/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593598646073785170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpWaBQzdsuq0SST0K88bHgx9Undt2gaMiEIXlRPhddaBPyZdUnR8VUxlMwYjye5i2V_erTl3-cYa0zHu8n4jd5Lb1-aoC1M2lJhM40WPiCDdU655Hl3oU9A29dVyhQVgW2gpg6TZCCThB/s320/IMG_0277.JPG" /></a> </div>
<br /><div>He is stubborn and determined and has the bumps and bruises to show for it. He fell and hit his mouth on something and after the torrent of blood subsided, I think it's permanently realigned his front teeth, one of which was already chipped by another boy-floor collision. He has a knot on the back of his head where he had a close encounter with the wrought iron leg of our coffee table. Just today he scratched his eye after inspecting a little too closely the business end of a power drill. </div>
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-TLkPD0R_INSxM_DnvvqsZplw3OLqv7IgzYjOZ5EQFHWWB7I02n69POv34DpJ-4ppMoPKh_EnkfE752l7QwNJ17y4sjpZXtjSBVOkZOcYUoKxcNeJKLNojbnPPDpZs9qK8MKbEs3n3GY/s1600/IMG_0294.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593597316466524354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-TLkPD0R_INSxM_DnvvqsZplw3OLqv7IgzYjOZ5EQFHWWB7I02n69POv34DpJ-4ppMoPKh_EnkfE752l7QwNJ17y4sjpZXtjSBVOkZOcYUoKxcNeJKLNojbnPPDpZs9qK8MKbEs3n3GY/s320/IMG_0294.JPG" /></a> Current vocabulary list:</div>
<br /><div>No</div>
<br /><div>Nah</div>
<br /><div>Huh-uh (you get the picture..)</div>
<br /><div>Mama</div>
<br /><div>Dada</div>
<br /><div>Ga-ma</div>
<br /><div>Gam-pa</div>
<br /><div>Katie</div>
<br /><div>Mummum </div>
<br /><div>(though the last 5 all usually sound like "ma-MA!")</div>
<br /><div>car (ca)</div>
<br /><div>ball</div>
<br /><div>more</div>
<br /><div>purple</div>
<br /><div>moon</div>
<br /><div>cow (moo)</div>
<br /><div>up (uppa)</div>
<br /><div>water (wah-wah or agua)</div>
<br /><div>juice (ju)</div>
<br /><div>cracker (ca-ca)</div>
<br /><div>poop (poopoo)</div>
<br /><div>wooby (woo-woo)</div>
<br /><div>shoe </div>
<br /><div>chair</div>
<br /><div>dog (woo-woo)</div></div>
<br /><div>night-night (ni-ni)</div>
<br /><div>He gives hugs and kisses and waves Hi and Bye to everyone </div>
<br /><div>And he loves to read with his Mummum </div>
<br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVqLZZrLsgRpXqw5NQnGYVhU1votCHjlVgyyjasxGuiqKZT5uQOTJFNO-AAAn_3QlnXbTTZeGrzR2z1f-lCpUjmYr3rKOHBmDjZ47c7FG0I5ByZK9Ivk0nb6KX4Jk8RSO3yd9JOesMS5g/s1600/IMG_0194.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593609284800743394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVqLZZrLsgRpXqw5NQnGYVhU1votCHjlVgyyjasxGuiqKZT5uQOTJFNO-AAAn_3QlnXbTTZeGrzR2z1f-lCpUjmYr3rKOHBmDjZ47c7FG0I5ByZK9Ivk0nb6KX4Jk8RSO3yd9JOesMS5g/s320/IMG_0194.JPG" /></a>
<br />I know there is more to say about this funny, lovable boy, but no more time today. I love you MickeyMalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-26418120457982214782010-12-11T17:44:00.003+00:002010-12-11T18:10:44.995+00:00Par for the Course<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHj3zkTQinlzrELml3Gyu4ZfUFYfISLiYVW8fXCtdL7n_Ale04j-CoscuKbC8MEFqHjdV5bGrWzCmnD3muPWcgr3vPD1eyXLtQyWI6l_PTxXf3L6KGQlgkQ_Nfp7OFjdLFnHzGwuDeljcn/s1600/jacko.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 158px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549485499095538194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHj3zkTQinlzrELml3Gyu4ZfUFYfISLiYVW8fXCtdL7n_Ale04j-CoscuKbC8MEFqHjdV5bGrWzCmnD3muPWcgr3vPD1eyXLtQyWI6l_PTxXf3L6KGQlgkQ_Nfp7OFjdLFnHzGwuDeljcn/s320/jacko.jpg" /></a><br />Happy Halloween. As it's December 11th, it makes perfect sense that I am only now posting the Halloween pictures. oh well.<br /><br />I found this cute little Tinkerbell number at the Children's Exchange consignment shop. Matching shoes and fairy wings- it was great. Only she wouldn't wear it.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvQhbFiqEoycgDaBfuzEBCSFb7y6ZTYxeK5qDhEJoMBOHdZLBeMnD5NOE9Tak9Vf8-PNPobL72Gm_JlIGrhgJglF-f8tkZrBCS5zk-L6o21Y_NfCE3y8JV3qXyWAddGQjWEgOoKJbcGZo/s1600/DSC_0379.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549484465850549554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvQhbFiqEoycgDaBfuzEBCSFb7y6ZTYxeK5qDhEJoMBOHdZLBeMnD5NOE9Tak9Vf8-PNPobL72Gm_JlIGrhgJglF-f8tkZrBCS5zk-L6o21Y_NfCE3y8JV3qXyWAddGQjWEgOoKJbcGZo/s320/DSC_0379.JPG" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7Tr7Msnm_RJB0m_kQfeqIJ6R9r9Ms2DGaM7PXD7pgn7UiBIybsX4Loh-rPUdqspU8onSFY1C8VofV2R8Qtn9NHrMZNgujvZq_pYK1LQ27Og5v2GmKDJ1-kGmnEVq0wuzXoS0j_gaJX1D/s1600/DSC_0376.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549484448188086018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7Tr7Msnm_RJB0m_kQfeqIJ6R9r9Ms2DGaM7PXD7pgn7UiBIybsX4Loh-rPUdqspU8onSFY1C8VofV2R8Qtn9NHrMZNgujvZq_pYK1LQ27Og5v2GmKDJ1-kGmnEVq0wuzXoS0j_gaJX1D/s320/DSC_0376.JPG" /></a><br />Try as I might, Katie insisted on her ballerina dress for her school party. Fortunately, Mick didn't mind not wearing his ballerina dress and was happy going as a Kilkenny Hurler.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dbG_bvbCP9jGj97uwo0t1GsDd1RJ2mSe-gu7JwwCHo-i4LrmzsW-5MrLGVFu-HBjEmwFOBpDPRiTOtfT3V3DlRpMQYSXA25IjBjarcjDY0JSovYP0JYfjQJ-IkV1u6NygIht1XFJWCAV/s1600/DSC_0348.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549484465211354162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dbG_bvbCP9jGj97uwo0t1GsDd1RJ2mSe-gu7JwwCHo-i4LrmzsW-5MrLGVFu-HBjEmwFOBpDPRiTOtfT3V3DlRpMQYSXA25IjBjarcjDY0JSovYP0JYfjQJ-IkV1u6NygIht1XFJWCAV/s320/DSC_0348.JPG" /></a> Well, maybe not <em>happy</em>...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbKSDA7agJwKl9JXQuEEhIdgkMSq8OECsFwEUZ2535DYZE3lmyOkxNl_ka_3U72GH17HO7wdOsU48LsNRdDhfew6fKPmuv0RuPrI1mZUIFXqBXIayQTvrBtAyuONYFsNJM6Ii3GqElSIy/s1600/mick.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549485489254182434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbKSDA7agJwKl9JXQuEEhIdgkMSq8OECsFwEUZ2535DYZE3lmyOkxNl_ka_3U72GH17HO7wdOsU48LsNRdDhfew6fKPmuv0RuPrI1mZUIFXqBXIayQTvrBtAyuONYFsNJM6Ii3GqElSIy/s320/mick.jpg" /></a> What we should have done was gone with a Disney theme. After all, we have our own Mickey...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kksR26N0Xr4LqMYuVT2qUpoeS4DklHX9MffG81Eqxa-jtJEcIDSBEOkwVOir3M5MQ3ofrK8GKVFZR95HN2odt_dXA62pkz32P9ytil6wmCADIA_5WMKqSFWtE1i0P519TRMbEtln_eAB/s1600/DSC_0334.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549483081248456338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kksR26N0Xr4LqMYuVT2qUpoeS4DklHX9MffG81Eqxa-jtJEcIDSBEOkwVOir3M5MQ3ofrK8GKVFZR95HN2odt_dXA62pkz32P9ytil6wmCADIA_5WMKqSFWtE1i0P519TRMbEtln_eAB/s320/DSC_0334.JPG" /></a> And little Miss Minnie Mouse...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQaG4XPKvZErBT8JlHFqaFI1qNmHHcAXFapDsQVTDREjuOE_abzLLyYzA_-0mec5gtBDpiZwbRj-W6tg2E6kD5W8vWGCjhRXNdoG0IlE5cMzCcvkDSuweL2aDINMGMnKWMw4FiuvF83LO/s1600/DSC_0328.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549483077581061170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQaG4XPKvZErBT8JlHFqaFI1qNmHHcAXFapDsQVTDREjuOE_abzLLyYzA_-0mec5gtBDpiZwbRj-W6tg2E6kD5W8vWGCjhRXNdoG0IlE5cMzCcvkDSuweL2aDINMGMnKWMw4FiuvF83LO/s320/DSC_0328.JPG" /></a> And, of course, don't forget GOOFY!!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEqAjpQ48QPORbafixHL_Z-u0f0bDe60ivZIk0CKoorKORMgOt5Df-eNzGhPzEyv5X7Hue0YjXa0o3xbHrKfqf0qFCIOzxVJP2eNqMH5XzgSPYTb0v43tzvO9sxqYiZJ-BCLRJhH512Ir/s1600/DSC_0345-1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 259px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549483067157085490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEqAjpQ48QPORbafixHL_Z-u0f0bDe60ivZIk0CKoorKORMgOt5Df-eNzGhPzEyv5X7Hue0YjXa0o3xbHrKfqf0qFCIOzxVJP2eNqMH5XzgSPYTb0v43tzvO9sxqYiZJ-BCLRJhH512Ir/s320/DSC_0345-1.JPG" /></a> </div><div>Yup, Mick thinks I'm funny and that's all that matters.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsxbQZJTJb6zVjbWQ073F2_HMtx0-BhVH7W0raoygw50HLKiCaVj0eutVyJlN2UpD7yjobAmuy8TnZOi3ijN9sVug6e8HSO9H1r0m_Z5W9vqLRoNfmZ0CCWRIFJa1HrEyVF1ai8MJgCpL/s1600/DSC_0339.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549483062697217170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsxbQZJTJb6zVjbWQ073F2_HMtx0-BhVH7W0raoygw50HLKiCaVj0eutVyJlN2UpD7yjobAmuy8TnZOi3ijN9sVug6e8HSO9H1r0m_Z5W9vqLRoNfmZ0CCWRIFJa1HrEyVF1ai8MJgCpL/s320/DSC_0339.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnAuQfM3fLirOJechLYZQbkwI0bbRiVV_tOHmHoNhN7TnHwOu9Zlua7VOLv-LehoSkmnmfV0FMbswZT5ReU3WPqICoOJt_bEXX-QnKg6LJ-85eG2CL7Yck7TnGWopoWJLVyg20pLArHDj/s1600/DSC_0342.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549483059362691426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnAuQfM3fLirOJechLYZQbkwI0bbRiVV_tOHmHoNhN7TnHwOu9Zlua7VOLv-LehoSkmnmfV0FMbswZT5ReU3WPqICoOJt_bEXX-QnKg6LJ-85eG2CL7Yck7TnGWopoWJLVyg20pLArHDj/s320/DSC_0342.JPG" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-84216919847558879762010-10-27T21:43:00.003+01:002010-10-27T22:29:20.049+01:00Ignorance is Bliss<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Why didn't anyone tell me this was going on?<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMxOEJGuMLKblXAxJkMbc6IHZKrueqX97PLMpQ0jdP11oJtAOQDH74uLXFhTGGp0XfXpW7tms9vuvGWMx7TWxZcPdi5PkVNwr8RDHLNeNramBvDWI8KCxBbxcIWwITOdnoMwvy__eKjZ1/s1600/afatchick.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532830953163376498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMxOEJGuMLKblXAxJkMbc6IHZKrueqX97PLMpQ0jdP11oJtAOQDH74uLXFhTGGp0XfXpW7tms9vuvGWMx7TWxZcPdi5PkVNwr8RDHLNeNramBvDWI8KCxBbxcIWwITOdnoMwvy__eKjZ1/s320/afatchick.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />I could land a modeling gig as a Jenny Craig Before Photo.<br /></span><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Came across this picture in my computer. Almost fell out of my chair. Maybe it was a funhouse mirror trick? I could vomit. Of course, if I could vomit that easily, wouldn't be in this predicament in the first place...</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I will rise above this. I am in training for the </span><a href="http://www.ingmiamimarathon.com/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2011 ING Half Marathon </span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. And while I decided to try to run it before coming across this photo, I'd made no official announcement because, quite frankly, I figured I'd back out of it. But now, I CANT. Great. I will use the image burned onto my retinas of this photo as inspiration when I feel I can run no more (which so far has been about 3 minutes into each session).</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Wish me luck.</span>Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-89784443413961575882010-10-22T19:55:00.008+01:002010-10-23T02:09:42.377+01:00A Brief History of Noteworthy EventsMICHAEL STANDS! first photo: 10/6/10<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZBBFd7AMOHY5e0sGw-cnPvYf-pVMtD7bO6yrrCVD_iHW1mC0yd5xlQDd2dHr1zvOmh4UGlvdXhAcCxu6-0NqKnlUH4jp_91ZzqpOhbY5iMXvqjTcKBhz5GG8nzE1FAKvB3_W0eQ5MTJi/s1600/Untitled+0+00+05-13.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531019874222283282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZBBFd7AMOHY5e0sGw-cnPvYf-pVMtD7bO6yrrCVD_iHW1mC0yd5xlQDd2dHr1zvOmh4UGlvdXhAcCxu6-0NqKnlUH4jp_91ZzqpOhbY5iMXvqjTcKBhz5GG8nzE1FAKvB3_W0eQ5MTJi/s320/Untitled+0+00+05-13.jpg" /></a><br />9/13/10 (Late entry) Katie's first day of preschool at St. Patrick's (and she LOVES it. Miss Sharon is her best friend)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jbIP-cBbY9lWyE9PnqqZBb0iR9lv-Uvy1FNpAT3A6sQt5JoUvqXFd29ORkgrxiUysJbKDBvGfUb6KtDTRyjbezA93YAfaUrTUXrcHzPI_Q9dgY3EgAALO6HIq-Io7lg5aH6Gy0XwaMhL/s1600/DSC_0278.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530955411088436530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jbIP-cBbY9lWyE9PnqqZBb0iR9lv-Uvy1FNpAT3A6sQt5JoUvqXFd29ORkgrxiUysJbKDBvGfUb6KtDTRyjbezA93YAfaUrTUXrcHzPI_Q9dgY3EgAALO6HIq-Io7lg5aH6Gy0XwaMhL/s320/DSC_0278.JPG" /></a> Mick's first (but surely not last) mouthful of dirt.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHF28Snj3vHaaoKHnHoKpRPrtueG4wHmEHTQQdks2wHblo84_VfSu7viWA7gjqwZtCl_oI87VaOwKCtCs61R_nL5uhOyF5x1s5i8gseJWuDtCGO0dqvxDX4svk4EiAqb3oNAY0ojARoYJ/s1600/DSC_0284.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530955414682135874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHF28Snj3vHaaoKHnHoKpRPrtueG4wHmEHTQQdks2wHblo84_VfSu7viWA7gjqwZtCl_oI87VaOwKCtCs61R_nL5uhOyF5x1s5i8gseJWuDtCGO0dqvxDX4svk4EiAqb3oNAY0ojARoYJ/s320/DSC_0284.JPG" /></a><br />10/8/10 Mick sets new time record for mood change (5.39 seconds)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKJIPrpo6ssgtzbCqB1lQGRysNDGEMpNKLAbSTltZ1FsdZSSqtYUM-LG9obq3855lo9e1MC9b6O9P07wTEQmrzjKb8TI7NLWpDsgD0NEO9GsMUIfA_Sd3J307rFf1pbfhhJdJdnhPifuu/s1600/DSC_0297.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530956672112102658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKJIPrpo6ssgtzbCqB1lQGRysNDGEMpNKLAbSTltZ1FsdZSSqtYUM-LG9obq3855lo9e1MC9b6O9P07wTEQmrzjKb8TI7NLWpDsgD0NEO9GsMUIfA_Sd3J307rFf1pbfhhJdJdnhPifuu/s200/DSC_0297.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSbgTUZh6GieKQEXFvQ0sQuTnNEWVG4mf4p7ghdINSzm0tTZP1OL3YVxj_6Y5SiVV48__GrFwli_8VlvLPVMHs1KGffdh_Aqq-7m-T7e7jObHP87Q4fvXHtNX9_sLyoeHtE8oxPvGzkwG/s1600/DSC_0300.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530956672496545490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSbgTUZh6GieKQEXFvQ0sQuTnNEWVG4mf4p7ghdINSzm0tTZP1OL3YVxj_6Y5SiVV48__GrFwli_8VlvLPVMHs1KGffdh_Aqq-7m-T7e7jObHP87Q4fvXHtNX9_sLyoeHtE8oxPvGzkwG/s200/DSC_0300.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />Katie sets new speed record for... bigsisteritis attack (13.42 seconds, daily attempts are made to best herself)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMxARRaLX1mclJKBkYROreMUWPyOILnabSzkAv6RfvIQjoDAnMXealeiWqNBi4txU9OY5BqAH8oL-0_s3rVjWaSQh5xg8N_8UVY8Vex-vxhrmlMZ3qolyIm6M2PVgFSRPPD1uB66flPHI/s1600/P1000276.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531037054140627234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMxARRaLX1mclJKBkYROreMUWPyOILnabSzkAv6RfvIQjoDAnMXealeiWqNBi4txU9OY5BqAH8oL-0_s3rVjWaSQh5xg8N_8UVY8Vex-vxhrmlMZ3qolyIm6M2PVgFSRPPD1uB66flPHI/s200/P1000276.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMBGD1I7g2gG86nxIx5cpAddfRkV8IiClXDv8P9uFE6hXa4IwG3JocB5DlE1V329_IbwCLZ6P1ea7pQuRxbEK3F2o_KKv6oPRGLN9bjHDr7NYDY-n_LUH39DHw2-JX6oCJUW6hEIA4dKE/s1600/P1000275.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531037060223539826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMBGD1I7g2gG86nxIx5cpAddfRkV8IiClXDv8P9uFE6hXa4IwG3JocB5DlE1V329_IbwCLZ6P1ea7pQuRxbEK3F2o_KKv6oPRGLN9bjHDr7NYDY-n_LUH39DHw2-JX6oCJUW6hEIA4dKE/s200/P1000275.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Michael's first words: Tie between "Uh oh" and "All gone" (which comes out like "Ahugah") But both have adorable corresponding hand gestures.<br /><br />On 10/10/10, Mick takes his first wobbly steps.<br /><br />10/20/10 MDCW takes 10 steps (still wobbly)<br /><br />10/22/10 Mom takes yet another attempt to film said steps. Mick does not cooperate. We do, however, manage to capture some other cute baby things... And, some priceless Katie commentary.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zMCiHjT2yZc?hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><br /><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zMCiHjT2yZc?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-33473020115833979092010-10-21T17:14:00.003+01:002010-10-22T20:09:15.489+01:00The Dog Ate My Homework<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And other excuses for not posting more.<br /><br />Life is kicking my ass these days. I think the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">meds</span> need to be adjusted.<br /><br />I know I sound whiny when I say working and being a mother and a wife is hard, but sometimes I really think it is. Don't roll your eyes. It's only cliche when you're on the outside looking in. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">After all</span>, the Stones didn't write "</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mother's Little Helper</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">" about a damn <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Cuisinart</span>.<br /><br />I want to journal and document and record all the many, many, many fun and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">humorous</span> things that happen EVERY SINGLE DAY OF MY LIFE. My silent thoughts often take the form of a post - I categorize events and memories under snappy little titles in my brain. But life has been keeping me from my keyboard. Friends and family are recalling right now all the unanswered emails they've sent (I read them, then keep them in the Inbox assuring myself that the next time I log on Ill have just a little more time and will respond to every last correspondence. The result of this is 478 emails sitting in the Inbox and 10-13 people who think Ive snubbed them. Even my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">facebook</span> has a layer of dust on its cover. Fortunately was alerted to a fabulous family spat played out in status update/comment threads, so I have kept up with <em>some</em> online drama. TGIF.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Where is my time going? I swear I just don't know. A typical week unfolds </span><a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thusly"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">thusly</span></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">*:<br /><br />Monday= Food Shopping/Cooking day. On weeks that I work T, W, Th I try to make all the week's meals on Monday so <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Manus</span> can just reheat whatever on his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">DDDD</span> (Double Duty Daddy Days) - Even though I <em>only</em> work part-time, on the days that I work I leave the house by 6am and don't return til 8:30pm or thereabouts. This means <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Manus</span> must get the kids up and dressed and to school then work and pick them up and get them fed and bathed and to bed alone. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tuesday-Thursday= Saving Lives<br /><br />Friday= Recuperating from above, cleaning the house, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">laundrathon</span> and bringing up the children to be smart, confident, responsible members of society. (yeah, that only takes an hour or so out of the week... no biggie)<br /><br />Saturday and Sunday= Family time. This means I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">don't</span> want <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Manus</span> on the computer and so therefore, I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">don't</span> get on the computer.<br /><br />But I want to post because as I'd said in the beginning of this blog thing, it is the only baby book/kiddie timeline I've kept and it's not fair to have documented all of Katie's notable <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">achievements</span> and none of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">whatshisname's</span>.<br /><br />So..<br /><br />Well, now I've rambled on enough for one entry. Will end this one and start another.<br /><br /></span>* yes it's a real word. I heart dictionaries.Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-4681352547206586752010-10-02T18:27:00.008+01:002010-10-02T19:26:40.007+01:00Birthday breaks the silence......barely<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuf4ctXNcfnJzxB9Ml3DGbsGkQtvtqbaE6xIzDhzTQFYo5iWWCLq_JpYFRJjlnCBxn9smpv5fJZ79Ozo88OFH6c3vA-wXdLbHYlXKXtTZbTJXrMZJiMeVVVhbYlVYtaaGD8vvsI72kdYs/s1600/P1000285.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523514417860887586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuf4ctXNcfnJzxB9Ml3DGbsGkQtvtqbaE6xIzDhzTQFYo5iWWCLq_JpYFRJjlnCBxn9smpv5fJZ79Ozo88OFH6c3vA-wXdLbHYlXKXtTZbTJXrMZJiMeVVVhbYlVYtaaGD8vvsI72kdYs/s200/P1000285.JPG" /></a>Mick's first birthday was August 25th. If looked at from the perspective that it took 365 days for him to reach that milestone, it doesn't really look so bad that it took me a mere 38 days to post the pictures and videos.<br /><br />Break those 38 days down to 13 days still out of the country thus internet<em>less</em>, 2 days jet-lagged, 10 days working (a.k.a. saving lives), 4 days solid cooking healthy, organic, eco-friendly superfoods for the family, 3 days spent coaxing family to eat said foods, 1 night drinking too much and 8 days recovering from it, it's almost like a speed record was set for how promptly I have chronicled my young lad's celebration. Applause not necessary.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmEBfzTWsS-8HOtNI3giaxxNEq2WC_xk42s0kujVEpRtNLWOFEVRxlZmnm6_EFa0gfGWESlwx_R8tH_ThkyNVyBqz_k-ohxwau6aWsATlmJCQFQkFKlmJN2Ct0eHkA3c3gC_3zcxFe2np/s1600/P1000298.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523510600823371778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmEBfzTWsS-8HOtNI3giaxxNEq2WC_xk42s0kujVEpRtNLWOFEVRxlZmnm6_EFa0gfGWESlwx_R8tH_ThkyNVyBqz_k-ohxwau6aWsATlmJCQFQkFKlmJN2Ct0eHkA3c3gC_3zcxFe2np/s320/P1000298.JPG" /></a> We were in Ireland for Michael's first. Nana hosted the party, my mom sent over the decorations and Orla baked the cake.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2dTDjg15xeMtPkf30jNm0IqCmMtsPAkwOHcMuFhzPQ732CLlbFRttS3ylHgRWSX-5WymcLcJMxG_8nNTLYHAnHRpdqcVaKBXafAH84sXcoNnCSj-xruWw9EccPPIS5YM69Ix1PIdWWYz/s1600/P1000288.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523510594608357394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2dTDjg15xeMtPkf30jNm0IqCmMtsPAkwOHcMuFhzPQ732CLlbFRttS3ylHgRWSX-5WymcLcJMxG_8nNTLYHAnHRpdqcVaKBXafAH84sXcoNnCSj-xruWw9EccPPIS5YM69Ix1PIdWWYz/s320/P1000288.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyOwwa_Sm5WJpdRTHJTbd6UPpY1LEga2Xxb-tYdZBu9pejealrCfuoshvfHo4NBSTHFfbNnlwMbMuiMSsHOymIqI8RaCULDSBlLfp2EYEfdE3aY7i1B1XvWKzZ4Vv2ag_MpkNTRvt6nYi/s1600/P1000303.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523509451131058050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyOwwa_Sm5WJpdRTHJTbd6UPpY1LEga2Xxb-tYdZBu9pejealrCfuoshvfHo4NBSTHFfbNnlwMbMuiMSsHOymIqI8RaCULDSBlLfp2EYEfdE3aY7i1B1XvWKzZ4Vv2ag_MpkNTRvt6nYi/s320/P1000303.JPG" /></a></div>Mick and Katie thoroughly enjoyed it all... especially the cake.<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Go-OVnoJGeE?hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Go-OVnoJGeE?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Happy Birthday my dear son. I love you. Yes, I know your sister had her pictures up within days of her first birthday and yes, Second-Child Syndrome sucks, but just think, one day you could be the middle child and THEN you'll really be SOL. <br />So buck up lil cowboy and go have fun being one!Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-37827922398717434322010-08-25T12:10:00.001+01:002010-08-25T12:11:42.790+01:00Katie feeding the cows<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/h7FQuzqXYbs&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/h7FQuzqXYbs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-31728011340454402102010-07-09T09:30:00.001+01:002010-07-09T14:34:44.173+01:00For Nana<span style="font-family:kristen ITC;">Dear Nana,<br /><br />Look what we've been up to lately. We can't wait to see you. Just four weeks away now!<br /><br />Happy Birthday<br /><br />Love,<br />Katie and Mickey<br /></span><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZssppChSpUw&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZssppChSpUw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeOSiCBzu8n_cEH7iSOaGZec_EPP_kpgj9XorksCGE1PEj5svNrc4cR0e5MxDBp6sWw7jfOUtJZ7RwadxGptzgbUqiQBwAGnCns6lJC22F-EA5Dgl8MKB5o0vo8SMQ0L6N_uLoqEMFoTL/s1600/DSC_0257.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490083697970153874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeOSiCBzu8n_cEH7iSOaGZec_EPP_kpgj9XorksCGE1PEj5svNrc4cR0e5MxDBp6sWw7jfOUtJZ7RwadxGptzgbUqiQBwAGnCns6lJC22F-EA5Dgl8MKB5o0vo8SMQ0L6N_uLoqEMFoTL/s320/DSC_0257.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlM0Pv08snq5kbNCrM2FXCA-i8pKV2sHhpVolRheHY-4kgPGFsMOzto-IXY5sIA7mCCrR4va4Sljv4dNab0_eCUlgcWPzujy7xLEIl8RTZMXJB4dbQ_qi_Neu-t2gG9DUOto0k5vEk4KOL/s1600/DSC_0252.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490083692319225410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlM0Pv08snq5kbNCrM2FXCA-i8pKV2sHhpVolRheHY-4kgPGFsMOzto-IXY5sIA7mCCrR4va4Sljv4dNab0_eCUlgcWPzujy7xLEIl8RTZMXJB4dbQ_qi_Neu-t2gG9DUOto0k5vEk4KOL/s320/DSC_0252.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ASxIm5njEAM&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ASxIm5njEAM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-78195809105814755012010-06-22T14:00:00.000+01:002010-06-22T19:32:13.054+01:00Coordinating Check-Ups<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A long time ago I decided that this blog would take the place of any baby books or journals that I might keep of the kids' developments and accomplishments and wrote the occasional entry to update on what (then only Katie) was up to. Now there are two of them and that means even less time for typing, so forget <em>two</em> updates. We now must share. Because <em>sharing</em> is <em>caring</em>.<br /><br /><strong>37 Month & 10 Month Checkups</strong><br /><br />Dear Katie and Mickey,<br /><br />Yesterday I really did coordinate checkups and you both went to the doctor. This was in an effort to save time but we were there for THREE LONG HOURS. We found out that Katie is 38 pounds and 41 inches tall (a height that is "off the charts") and Mick is 28 inches and nearly 20lbs - 19lbs, 14 oz to be exact.<br /><br />All this growing has not been without it's growing pains. I readily admit that I am to blame for most of the angst. While I love being a mom to Katie and I love being a mom to Mickey, I'm really not enjoying being a parent to two kids at the same time. I feel like I can't give the right amount of attention to either of them and my frustration escalates any situation brought about by kids being kids. Having a second child did nothing for my patience level. Having a preschooler has done nothing for my maturity level and having two children that can throw simultaneous temper tantrums has done nothing to stop me from throwing a fit or two of my own.<br /></span><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It's been more difficult now that Katie is out of 'school' for the summer and there is just no break. I go to work to relax.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">God bless poor Katie... She has been through so much this last year (at an age where they recommend no big changes) We, like, moved across the world, she got a brother, started a new school and I went back to work. Then in March the doctor told us because of fluid in her ears it was time to cut out the bedtime bottle of milk and binkies. And she did it, cold turkey. Now after 4 long weeks of spraying saline up her nose three times a day, the fluid is gone. hooray. Add to the list of stressful things, she is has been completely potty trained. Oh creeps! She got evicted from her crib too - the big girl bed made its debut shortly after the new year. When you look at it this way, she's got some good excuses for bad behavior. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sometimes I forget she is three.<br /><br />I take it as a personal affront to my authority when she doesn't listen. So I get angry, and shout and grab her by the arm and put my face into hers so she knows I mean business. And she laughs. She laughs and I lose my shit.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">They say distraction and redirection are the best ways to work with a young child and get them to do what you want. I want them to do it simply BECAUSE I'M THE BOSS, THAT'S WHY! I'm not saying I want her to genuflect when I enter the room, but a military salute <em>would</em> show some respect.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I forget she is three because she is so smart. She remembers things. She knows her alphabet. She knows what sounds the letters make and she can tell you what letter a word starts with. She can write a few letters, mostly they all come out looking like Hs.. Her vocabulary is outrageous- and you know when she has picked up a new word because she tests it out in all different scenarios. The other day she used 'certainly' 34 times before lunch. And she asks a lot of questions. A LOT OF QUESTIONS. why? why? how? why?</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She is timid and shy at times too. She likes to watch the other kids playing instead of running to join them. She gets frustrated easily with tasks and gets mad and gives up. Sometimes she gets upset about something and it just keeps escalating and she can't calm herself down. I see myself in her at times and I get sad. How can I teach her things that I can't do myself?</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Katie loves anything princess. She loves to dress up and wear high heels, she loves her babies and feeds them and changes them and puts them all down for naps on blankets all over the house. She is very systematic - all the babies are wrapped and laying the same way. She loves making towers and stacking and lining things up. And she REALLY loves the tv. Cinderella is enabling me to write this now. I'll admit that Ive taken to using tv to give me some quiet time. Or cooking time or doing laundry time or toilet scrubbing time. But cuddle time is the best use of tv. Katie said to me this morning, "Mom, let's go home and Mickey can take his nap and we can sit on the couch and cuddle together. And watch tv." Total manipulation, but I'm a sucker for it every time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And then there is the Mick. Gawd I love that boy! Whereas some days poor Katie can do no right, Mickey can do no wrong. I'll admit to thinking he wasn't the most beautiful baby as a newborn, but now he could melt butter with his big baby blue eyes. He has long eyelashes and blondish/strawberry blond hair is growing in. Slowly, but with a remarkably perfect hairline. A light birthmark that for weeks I mistook for a bruise is developing over his left eye and after months and months of chewing and drooling like a St Bernard, his four front teeth burst through. Like Katie, it was nine months with none, then 4 within a week. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He's taken to crawling the same way. Months of nothing, barely getting on all-fours, then two weeks ago he took his first step and never looked back. He is sitting and crawling but still not rolling over. The doctor wasn't happy with that and wants us to take him to physical therapy. I guess it will do no harm. I think it's because we swaddled him to sleep for so long. He's probably only 3 months out of the swaddle and I'll still use it from time to time to calm him down when he doesn't want to nap. Now that it's summer and hot, hot, hot in his front bedroom, its almost cruel to swaddle him. That boy sweats like no other. Well, he sweats like me - and that means he will wake in a puddle. A 10 inch halo of wetness surrounding his little angel head. Michael sleeps through the night and will usually take two naps during the day. The morning one is nice and long 10:30-12:30, the afternoon one is a little trickier. But he does not go to sleep easily. There is a lot of rocking, jiggling, shushing and general cajoling- </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Ah, speak of the devil, I hear Mick in the monitor. I guess breaktime is over. Time to head back to work. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My dear sweet children. I love you with every ounce of my being. Please forgive me if someday you find yourselves in therapy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mom</span></p>Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-78715822701940766292010-06-07T16:01:00.008+01:002010-06-19T16:58:58.125+01:00Why Im not blogging more lately...Most days include some variation of such display:<br /><br />It is possible that I may have compounded things with the camera in her face...<br />This all started because she wasn't allowed back in the bathroom to "wash her hands", which of course means smear liquid soap all over the vanity, walls, floor...<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzbeEtb95nE5zHEs8PyUJ0YLz2pb27OfMUTXIOR_oi0pMLVTHuaem-9bujwyj86wwIYOJUJqldOIKlBAxT6GQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-8807544807688390082010-05-18T18:49:00.001+01:002010-05-18T23:57:50.786+01:00Turning Tree<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sunday was Katie's birthday. And how old is she?<br /><br /></span><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fj6JRo3IjKoPjmEmztvjQ2GH_DNocpOvIntsfcCsZom7evrO3vCETPqF0mSrQ57rHTvbQF4mw7iPuAjBZIedXdhl3ZdW6LDfsV_FRVB9AtXeG8EOG2b9r_m5Hm7O4rpRGL7pR4dVLzyB/s1600/DSC_0200.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472318367024021026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fj6JRo3IjKoPjmEmztvjQ2GH_DNocpOvIntsfcCsZom7evrO3vCETPqF0mSrQ57rHTvbQF4mw7iPuAjBZIedXdhl3ZdW6LDfsV_FRVB9AtXeG8EOG2b9r_m5Hm7O4rpRGL7pR4dVLzyB/s320/DSC_0200.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">TREE!! Indeed. </span></p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Figuring it was our last year to get away with it, we had a low-key family celebration at Mum-mum's. Of course, the princess saw this as no reason to slum it like the rest of the commoners. Fresh coat of polish, pouty pink lips and her finest formal wear were insisted upon.<br /><br /></span><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgY5U25VD3ZkD3nbn3CL_EDUUV_T9KRjfXNDhzEwZScGLeeIkR5bhHl01Mi-AD98rswNWIUH-UqyTJ-kOgE2rZxSHRW1jtH6nuL_QL2rKBwv_cP4F7VRATmRiyJB7wTxtsv2dyD0jgu1g/s1600/DSC_0167.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472318361655434034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgY5U25VD3ZkD3nbn3CL_EDUUV_T9KRjfXNDhzEwZScGLeeIkR5bhHl01Mi-AD98rswNWIUH-UqyTJ-kOgE2rZxSHRW1jtH6nuL_QL2rKBwv_cP4F7VRATmRiyJB7wTxtsv2dyD0jgu1g/s320/DSC_0167.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />That's her smile now. I think years of being forced to stare into a flashbulb have taken its toll. She's scared squinty. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">First things first, we dove headfirst into the pile of presents. It was like a pink and purple Christmas morning. Wrapping and tissue paper went whizzing by my head as each new gift was promptly tossed to the side in order to see what was in the <em>next</em> box. It was a great sight. I said the only thing that would have made the moment better was if we'd had our video camera to capture her frenzy. (and if it'd been <em>me</em> getting to open all the presents) Oh jealousy, you frequent tormentor...<br /></span></p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bOqMtvMVxJv_riTPWiaqOJF5tpQ4_FUGJR6oPvuofQ6rBR4RAvFZVFwx2-DVCzrrS5f_AKyKwT6tbiECsNT2K6Yh5UGZzFlvMwzlYigXtJRnPGLVpnSf_Hvmzsuh_0sO-KK_qlvNmdfM/s1600/DSC_0178.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472318357800011586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bOqMtvMVxJv_riTPWiaqOJF5tpQ4_FUGJR6oPvuofQ6rBR4RAvFZVFwx2-DVCzrrS5f_AKyKwT6tbiECsNT2K6Yh5UGZzFlvMwzlYigXtJRnPGLVpnSf_Hvmzsuh_0sO-KK_qlvNmdfM/s320/DSC_0178.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Cousin Ali wanted in on the booty too. Too bad her booty is too big for that dress.<br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRpnudrY2msF3b7h4k5l6q0PtFozhTEEgWoW1EYENxViWT27Z6vgGIKg4-sxaZ9wG91m8BvCnUM2L7CqJJuN58F9z_R13ksl8zLFpshooB7eUZK1BsSaVhbh2K7ARpicxFOYlEICRp2jv/s1600/DSC_0182.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472318349499679698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRpnudrY2msF3b7h4k5l6q0PtFozhTEEgWoW1EYENxViWT27Z6vgGIKg4-sxaZ9wG91m8BvCnUM2L7CqJJuN58F9z_R13ksl8zLFpshooB7eUZK1BsSaVhbh2K7ARpicxFOYlEICRp2jv/s320/DSC_0182.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Roll Call l-r: Uncle Bill, Grampa-daddy, Carolee, Gramma-mommy and the big K-T.<br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-iM61OnTRHfMP3eyxGkz3CaEak8i3-Op2AEede1D2NU6NBGg2_ALWtADEw2ypuv8KBGaAjc6PKp2JThsEcoN47ZQ9ZIyNeXoL8jnTK8ZeU-Yr0nT1ZIyHzh7op2MxsDiI3pMdsTjEDC6k/s1600/DSC_0196.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472315941289732530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-iM61OnTRHfMP3eyxGkz3CaEak8i3-Op2AEede1D2NU6NBGg2_ALWtADEw2ypuv8KBGaAjc6PKp2JThsEcoN47ZQ9ZIyNeXoL8jnTK8ZeU-Yr0nT1ZIyHzh7op2MxsDiI3pMdsTjEDC6k/s320/DSC_0196.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Ms. Tee-tee McGee, Mum-mum, Ali (she got a day pass from the asylum to be with us today) and the other Michael in the family.<br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfz33G3579hDpBLS7_vEqKv-LWcnBh5Y77FF9kHZlAMJ2rgb2yil8yzT4czr00VSDpww2fBrK7kikb5rTVjftJp3CSzIkCZXK4R-Ts1vNoj9t2RszJMyfcWcYUOHztTbMn8xY1dq0UpyX3/s1600/DSC_0197.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472315935854593394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfz33G3579hDpBLS7_vEqKv-LWcnBh5Y77FF9kHZlAMJ2rgb2yil8yzT4czr00VSDpww2fBrK7kikb5rTVjftJp3CSzIkCZXK4R-Ts1vNoj9t2RszJMyfcWcYUOHztTbMn8xY1dq0UpyX3/s320/DSC_0197.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As the gifts had all been opened and breakfast was now over, Princess Katie began to sense that this party had gone bust.<br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6cyH8C7HAa9xvZLzR37p-cNT8esAiKgUfiFmwOTXkVy92_uRZmhivf-WAdpy28R31rAFq3SEIA1H9XMOdU8VVaaBTmap0G_hE7PStmib0bAiI3XfNDjUEe_Zo7JbtO0e7IhLrG5pc1DJ/s1600/DSC_0185.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472315925238081410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6cyH8C7HAa9xvZLzR37p-cNT8esAiKgUfiFmwOTXkVy92_uRZmhivf-WAdpy28R31rAFq3SEIA1H9XMOdU8VVaaBTmap0G_hE7PStmib0bAiI3XfNDjUEe_Zo7JbtO0e7IhLrG5pc1DJ/s320/DSC_0185.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />She quickly summoned the help with a surreptitious "<em>Psst</em>!". "What this party needs is a sugary confection!", she declared with a twinkle in her eye.<br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSIZnfJU87mpVD_0MVUrQAqeZoqDjsaVLDeHfhCuiNuOjwqSEfKCkkkIF74xNGj_gTcyUffyaHlFlTgIw-XCB_Ca7fCFPdtWkFSeL_yJ9XTJarx5WlFnQucX4Q9QiXgW2GhshJAZvIVBv/s1600/DSC_0199.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472315924274209330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSIZnfJU87mpVD_0MVUrQAqeZoqDjsaVLDeHfhCuiNuOjwqSEfKCkkkIF74xNGj_gTcyUffyaHlFlTgIw-XCB_Ca7fCFPdtWkFSeL_yJ9XTJarx5WlFnQucX4Q9QiXgW2GhshJAZvIVBv/s320/DSC_0199.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> The cake was presented and the princess was happy. Once again, peace and harmony were restored to the kingdom.<br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLrcEPiaAlh156DNb_vzG7JUnVfdNI4zNcmDTUfIKikFetIa99kBV4LjuxFhKKMqUKA_OZsA04FCvDL5LubV0qQouRfCddBC96kqOqd8WBxByb8KCW4v_DgptZuQxaJuUdwJT7L-rGZLl/s1600/DSC_0204.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472315913088858722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLrcEPiaAlh156DNb_vzG7JUnVfdNI4zNcmDTUfIKikFetIa99kBV4LjuxFhKKMqUKA_OZsA04FCvDL5LubV0qQouRfCddBC96kqOqd8WBxByb8KCW4v_DgptZuQxaJuUdwJT7L-rGZLl/s320/DSC_0204.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdaby2cuvJ8xyE5xwzVTCtEnZB9gZgknkDJOVYbPQ_K49h40BBY0sxF3KQZsjB3kVDE9-FYNYJj9pHXbnEgAK1KOh45DfWRPQDZEaHH1j-lFuM_KqtRJAH8rph4AHmLmm3Yd9Nv1DivGH/s1600/DSC_0218.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472314616404546338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdaby2cuvJ8xyE5xwzVTCtEnZB9gZgknkDJOVYbPQ_K49h40BBY0sxF3KQZsjB3kVDE9-FYNYJj9pHXbnEgAK1KOh45DfWRPQDZEaHH1j-lFuM_KqtRJAH8rph4AHmLmm3Yd9Nv1DivGH/s320/DSC_0218.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOmRjlxSWkVo6MgBfXYDfX3aKCENn1UC9qyu6tUM1M2-CRNKDNZGWrwOY8EPzr3OxV1MSLK6J8PmqDuaNAvgPIjhzYAhwcltl5sB5quCR_tONA3rdn-HgW59nn8IjYztqbv3V75FP_5yJ/s1600/DSC_0219.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472314606716300226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOmRjlxSWkVo6MgBfXYDfX3aKCENn1UC9qyu6tUM1M2-CRNKDNZGWrwOY8EPzr3OxV1MSLK6J8PmqDuaNAvgPIjhzYAhwcltl5sB5quCR_tONA3rdn-HgW59nn8IjYztqbv3V75FP_5yJ/s320/DSC_0219.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWPsRMXxSFG5Hz3u8GnTPhhiOzfj8g3lkyYjW1jTJuW2otYFncozTkBrLWxOs3uiVBuy3C6gTdZ2DExOGGZa-WLnxLvg_tWS4EZyL1tx4EPPDY0nw1nAIIZE4fBSfj4EiVfGTD7V8gmbC/s1600/DSC_0223.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472314605959466146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWPsRMXxSFG5Hz3u8GnTPhhiOzfj8g3lkyYjW1jTJuW2otYFncozTkBrLWxOs3uiVBuy3C6gTdZ2DExOGGZa-WLnxLvg_tWS4EZyL1tx4EPPDY0nw1nAIIZE4fBSfj4EiVfGTD7V8gmbC/s320/DSC_0223.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Can't forget the Mick.<br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlpyYzbNFhArUGD7Qxn8BGKh8pV9kya3-RtJ-PfEffaWXIZi-13Wc_ZnZeheUpfkYCjtj8O6DrELxsABGtb6fwHWxHxEEKWO-A_NK3_AkxM4KjuXM0pnNKCZPm8d3ZyV263Nw7JGRc1dv/s1600/DSC_0195.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472314597162090802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlpyYzbNFhArUGD7Qxn8BGKh8pV9kya3-RtJ-PfEffaWXIZi-13Wc_ZnZeheUpfkYCjtj8O6DrELxsABGtb6fwHWxHxEEKWO-A_NK3_AkxM4KjuXM0pnNKCZPm8d3ZyV263Nw7JGRc1dv/s320/DSC_0195.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnpWms36OJFvZJzo34svHC8WMah5q1X81Ndp5tCh_2REZmiXdDwKEHFPfyzIipWKc3ZdP3ym6TaWPjABqzgnzqwwo4_TfBZOnkDgi9Xi1j_jmU9q_naWV52ID_5ayUGLHn6vKgDP0IDnK/s1600/DSC_0226.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472314586655226114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnpWms36OJFvZJzo34svHC8WMah5q1X81Ndp5tCh_2REZmiXdDwKEHFPfyzIipWKc3ZdP3ym6TaWPjABqzgnzqwwo4_TfBZOnkDgi9Xi1j_jmU9q_naWV52ID_5ayUGLHn6vKgDP0IDnK/s320/DSC_0226.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-17213680038633183102010-04-18T18:11:00.004+01:002010-04-18T22:48:29.384+01:00Food, Glorious Food<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7yUCfu5i89qMMSgtQ55EGinKyr6qqrCa4z-mztOxprXjeZSJ03xCjlWGgKEKPL85185T-adqd8jMQh0DVgYKk03dClkZIQjOaBw8BZsT-P6S39wU1jTnFNZYpL9sZ86_BS7ueGoht1O0/s1600/IMG_1070.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461597018818576930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7yUCfu5i89qMMSgtQ55EGinKyr6qqrCa4z-mztOxprXjeZSJ03xCjlWGgKEKPL85185T-adqd8jMQh0DVgYKk03dClkZIQjOaBw8BZsT-P6S39wU1jTnFNZYpL9sZ86_BS7ueGoht1O0/s320/IMG_1070.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxc2ycwqN3Z1fNwzmDyp2VqYPSPtjmzQLZmmZmVfZQrfPZ3khKeBOAQx5SwfQAejfgHLcK6VuGTxpj2w0tH6WM6QEtmNZoL2iWTiCkq3xzTYcGJk8V89Xo_PmTcHg0ef1QIU1wM3l2n4e/s1600/IMG_0918.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461530769447103458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxc2ycwqN3Z1fNwzmDyp2VqYPSPtjmzQLZmmZmVfZQrfPZ3khKeBOAQx5SwfQAejfgHLcK6VuGTxpj2w0tH6WM6QEtmNZoL2iWTiCkq3xzTYcGJk8V89Xo_PmTcHg0ef1QIU1wM3l2n4e/s320/IMG_0918.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMKMlvo6CuyYN-mYxcEZEnD1gz7huxhpw49gcabgu-ZKqdEX8FS-HHwV5AucXVwpik5JDA1f7RpB0ZNUq6HF1JYLyVGiXyDC2aMujj3vf1Pzq9vKwD5lCViUMzkt67zwL7DWAqiul9dYW/s1600/IMG_1064.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461530787449472562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMKMlvo6CuyYN-mYxcEZEnD1gz7huxhpw49gcabgu-ZKqdEX8FS-HHwV5AucXVwpik5JDA1f7RpB0ZNUq6HF1JYLyVGiXyDC2aMujj3vf1Pzq9vKwD5lCViUMzkt67zwL7DWAqiul9dYW/s320/IMG_1064.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFxDT-b2OCC6fZE_FGMywCjuBeLd6qWp6rNE8UCeZeFC_EV0wUiyNyWOVs9Jm4dIG1LSfTt5-Wo33Row0Rdq9EKKxjcaxSEZFWSU2iFLnKJd_UAlkzcPJ2jmTW2OWzSKFOByhaovFhKQA/s1600/IMG_1108.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461530776472348642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFxDT-b2OCC6fZE_FGMywCjuBeLd6qWp6rNE8UCeZeFC_EV0wUiyNyWOVs9Jm4dIG1LSfTt5-Wo33Row0Rdq9EKKxjcaxSEZFWSU2iFLnKJd_UAlkzcPJ2jmTW2OWzSKFOByhaovFhKQA/s320/IMG_1108.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHUBZEFob_WZrTo4QgYYXgtSSV4C-EAB4P38YCjbO4cn2XkRvRxxf2ICn0LdT1YvM7V512oNbGpkKsS5viHraguXcgD_3G8Ny1cE4GD6ldFLo6YpF5F5mXjS5G7g8Ndr_7Vh8t6iOSVQw/s1600/DSC_0120.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461530784325417202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHUBZEFob_WZrTo4QgYYXgtSSV4C-EAB4P38YCjbO4cn2XkRvRxxf2ICn0LdT1YvM7V512oNbGpkKsS5viHraguXcgD_3G8Ny1cE4GD6ldFLo6YpF5F5mXjS5G7g8Ndr_7Vh8t6iOSVQw/s320/DSC_0120.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dztHF4JEaX_oChStALtG6V6HcFjUSS7GkhVxWGcfzaSdhzQIlS-3ewCKiTY6dkvqYSksYvwoJjqLIrEkid3cg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div></div></div></div>Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-136851190291034382010-03-24T14:49:00.007+00:002010-03-24T15:53:05.382+00:00Kilkennian in America<div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We have this book sitting on our coffee table. It's a hardback book showcasing all the great moments in Kilkenny Hurling from the 2009 season. Hard to believe Manus doesn't have it enshrined and behind a thick wall of bulletproof glass, but he needs it to be accessible so he can easily peruse it once, twice,...hourly.<br /><br /></span></div><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKZ1S8B19jXHxrVcRdRk1ZF4CYy79FS_yZr0n5xJYEijzK40bkYRExG5k29FO9QT4QUo81vpqkrUCYI4ZqfsanU0jPHHTg-turUHafW8lHLFMV7uahlk7eVuP4_E0O0V-nHWqQwgygBWx/s1600/SeasonOfSundays09.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 360px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 360px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452216723258618434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKZ1S8B19jXHxrVcRdRk1ZF4CYy79FS_yZr0n5xJYEijzK40bkYRExG5k29FO9QT4QUo81vpqkrUCYI4ZqfsanU0jPHHTg-turUHafW8lHLFMV7uahlk7eVuP4_E0O0V-nHWqQwgygBWx/s400/SeasonOfSundays09.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />The guy on the cover is none other than one Martin Comerford. Otherwise know as Gorta. I have spoken about him previously </span><a href="http://usire.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">here.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 360px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 245px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452216716717002786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuMxDovVFrYMrdCs_T4PVRQHdof3JTD809CaDm5yK2km5bJAG1JosPEaqUAYC_1N12YJCTBVavRI5OVZvXoSK6s61VZ-pHKd9N5Q5GmKjiDoebdceXc4C-v10lSBZ1slLG8vMeqG7ew5J/s400/mccover.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />So on St. Patty's Day Eve, Manus gets a call from his friend, Martin over at </span><a href="http://www.johnmartins.com/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">John Martins</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> asking if Manus knows of any place that will be broadcasting the Hurling Club Final on TV (<em>yes! of course, the Hurling Club Final... don't tell me you forgot it was on and didn't set your TiVo!?)</em> as he has a Kilkenny couple over on their holidays interested in watching it. Well, Manus says, he's going to watch it on the computer at home and, being the friendly and accommodating Irishman that he is, he suggests the aforementioned couple come over to our house and watch the match here.<br /><br />So they do. And that couple is none other than.... (insert drumroll here)<br /><br />C'mon Rocket Scientists, get out your calculators and figure out this one...<br /><br />That's right, you guessed it...<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHznHqRL5JCpiJm9kCWnYaf6ljwELdLrnIV24Ux4ZPBJ4nKR6YbrZtQ7duHh6eeNGz9tJV5emHVNAWwML_iYEWiWDgibNkljb1BQtFtIODGVOfCuDrLRM4WW8PkrjGOfGqTlQNfNYDM67D/s1600/martincomerford.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 231px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 360px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452216713964204482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHznHqRL5JCpiJm9kCWnYaf6ljwELdLrnIV24Ux4ZPBJ4nKR6YbrZtQ7duHh6eeNGz9tJV5emHVNAWwML_iYEWiWDgibNkljb1BQtFtIODGVOfCuDrLRM4WW8PkrjGOfGqTlQNfNYDM67D/s400/martincomerford.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Martin Comerford and his new bride, Paula.<br /><br />They were over on their honeymoon, staying in a hotel just blocks from our house, got sent to John Martins to find out about the match and ended up here -<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0Qh_pM3EHxB26mnkjCU6BMVg0zQWOF-b3G2Sg-_l0Z5pWvS1wENhoOOYz5YDJqLBoMIz-_W-frOR3kFTeF3MzyCbAj1ou9_pCp2Wyh5FlvXWOFtcEibs2AxLw6paLax50rxGpUx56U8v/s1600/DSC_0134.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452216705591460658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0Qh_pM3EHxB26mnkjCU6BMVg0zQWOF-b3G2Sg-_l0Z5pWvS1wENhoOOYz5YDJqLBoMIz-_W-frOR3kFTeF3MzyCbAj1ou9_pCp2Wyh5FlvXWOFtcEibs2AxLw6paLax50rxGpUx56U8v/s400/DSC_0134.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />On our couch! </span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Watching our TV! </span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sitting mere inches from the book whose cover bears his likeness!<br /><br />Our brush with greatness and where was I? AT WORK! Is there no justice in the world?!<br /><br />Manus, being the <em>uber</em>-cool dude that he is, would never have asked for an autograph or photo op, so I am left to my uber-uncoolness to imagine what it must have looked like... </span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Probably something like this:<br /></span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDd0uhmKlWJsQvkdre6H1Wl4bgd_Q08_ZUhtx2mnxe8TxFqJab0XxJiY6p_aaRprxlsPSHaFN3Sz_Ffz-GMcvF0DFM7yns9uMIPRJIUoIHhvbqElJFBCny45YQ5N0UVv1B54UWLWwbMZI/s1600/comerfordoncouch.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452227317647194994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDd0uhmKlWJsQvkdre6H1Wl4bgd_Q08_ZUhtx2mnxe8TxFqJab0XxJiY6p_aaRprxlsPSHaFN3Sz_Ffz-GMcvF0DFM7yns9uMIPRJIUoIHhvbqElJFBCny45YQ5N0UVv1B54UWLWwbMZI/s400/comerfordoncouch.JPG" /> </span><p align="left"></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The great MC on <em>our</em> couch!!<br /><br />And it was probably at that very moment when Katie, having been kept out of school for the day so she too could rub shoulders with celebrity, was in the next room cutting her own hair with her pair of not-so-safety scissors. Yep, big clump from the left side. </span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What in the world could have distracted her parent?<br /></span><br /></p>Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-75713337417215712182010-03-16T19:46:00.002+00:002010-03-16T19:46:00.534+00:00Videographic AwesomenessRemember Mousetrap?<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qybUFnY7Y8w&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qybUFnY7Y8w&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6-6E3NLzv1RlOQRdIIWym2iLDQrwYm-sgnQPPvg_3Ae5XfR1iqdMMyWnB_L-6U0CFEp3KhSgWXSuEl9SFLPuIUZU0h4BDkaBGc3deztStXDco71djvEm7IW00wSrb-gP-ZFmPWYL7J0B/s1600-h/mtrp02.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6-6E3NLzv1RlOQRdIIWym2iLDQrwYm-sgnQPPvg_3Ae5XfR1iqdMMyWnB_L-6U0CFEp3KhSgWXSuEl9SFLPuIUZU0h4BDkaBGc3deztStXDco71djvEm7IW00wSrb-gP-ZFmPWYL7J0B/s400/mtrp02.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448951677771450674" /></a>Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-52181584844342937132010-03-15T15:25:00.003+00:002010-03-15T16:09:34.679+00:00Sick Mick<div>It only took one day in daycare for Mick to get sick. That has to be a record. His official school Poop Record for last Monday listed hourly diaper changes starting at 3:30 in the afternoon but since you could usually build a bomb shelter with his Lincoln logs, I assumed they were mistaken. But you know what happens when you <em>ass</em>ume... your son gets crazy diarrhea.<br /><br />There is no need to elaborate on that situation, for obvious reasons, but let's just say I won't be eating French's fancy yellow mustard or large-curd cottage cheese again any time soon.<br /><br />Tuesday night marked baby's first barf session. I'm commemorating the occasion with a plaque.<br /><br />As the illness persisted, I took Mick to the doctor Thursday night. I was assured it was viral, self-limiting and most likely a <em>daycare bug</em>. Yes, it happened <em>that</em> fast. </div><div></div><br /><div>And it, quite possibly, is the Rotavirus that (most kids) get vaccinated against but our kid didn't because they don't give it in Ireland and by the time I took him for his shots here he was too old to start that one and I am a terrible mother and I didn't register to vote when I turned 18 and I haven't flossed my teeth in over a week. </div><br /><div></div><div>Now though, one week later, Mickey Boy appears to be getting better. His <em>situation</em> is improving, so to speak (I will be avoiding split pea soup for a while). I hope to be sending him back to school tomorrow to see what he can pick up this week. Of course, now that some of the other family members have begun cooking up some hot and spicy trouser chili of their own, I may be missing a few more days of work this week. Alas.</div><br /><div></div><div>Here are some pictures from our visit to the doctor's office. We just LOVE our pediatrician.</div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQraWLAiNuxsZZOCuhpEbM_yo3AqWvDgQqPeA-q4HTNIuNA45hJkGYwkgqwdIsMsIvhrNiP4E9nDgk9SyidNstVJ79kd1Lgb5kMkS0ftfg5b5JCVq8AUVRwOO_xLzoWNloquJj4AJWLrit/s1600-h/DSC_0084.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448891172200375874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQraWLAiNuxsZZOCuhpEbM_yo3AqWvDgQqPeA-q4HTNIuNA45hJkGYwkgqwdIsMsIvhrNiP4E9nDgk9SyidNstVJ79kd1Lgb5kMkS0ftfg5b5JCVq8AUVRwOO_xLzoWNloquJj4AJWLrit/s320/DSC_0084.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4K4N8if2YzSbWIsjODXSIA8PgwNI93nqVUfjjQZIxXH2ltu4qs8CTcQ27-qOYomZz6L8LGVKkKFMChPWTwCSEZaqoSV8Z-fuWNAJ3SPApist3YkPy0CCV2E5aeUesRjzHbPXeyOzHa-57/s1600-h/DSC_0073.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448891161193108722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4K4N8if2YzSbWIsjODXSIA8PgwNI93nqVUfjjQZIxXH2ltu4qs8CTcQ27-qOYomZz6L8LGVKkKFMChPWTwCSEZaqoSV8Z-fuWNAJ3SPApist3YkPy0CCV2E5aeUesRjzHbPXeyOzHa-57/s320/DSC_0073.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi134xX3Htugzm2fRokg2pB6Y1MHPnxH5_ARGS2MMwCndKwoQBP6kHiVf-l2z6vrcXIGCKFTKvwzTDvcxK2flU1P1ObHTdfYHPe0Jlch1a2E7fK6cRgMeJSzswpbYpGor7M4srHKarEgRh_/s1600-h/DSC_0087.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448891159932236226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi134xX3Htugzm2fRokg2pB6Y1MHPnxH5_ARGS2MMwCndKwoQBP6kHiVf-l2z6vrcXIGCKFTKvwzTDvcxK2flU1P1ObHTdfYHPe0Jlch1a2E7fK6cRgMeJSzswpbYpGor7M4srHKarEgRh_/s320/DSC_0087.JPG" /></a> </div>Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-16488266232938190932010-03-13T07:49:00.000+00:002010-03-14T00:50:37.504+00:00FLiP FantasticA little video starring my three favorite things...<br />Katie, Michael and the Gators.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwTOoN4V6QNg-3LczQ5268jz8yKN0l3FnYgczaeBSBOk865ln0O39zLAE9TwUIMgRWgCfEf-D_fDBt_njSBEA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />Aw, poor Manus. Didn't make the top three? Maybe someday. You're <span style="font-style:italic;">easily</span> in my top 20.<br /><br />Only a doting mother would find feeding a baby interesting enough to record. Only a delusional one would think anyone else would be interested in watching it.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzvgW2j905i2-B52g1T6We_gLM01mVgassQTqc_SbIKCgssMiQYwLGGo-ZhRHtkN_YXDSQOduSG9KRn0CXHAw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Gotta love this FLiP!Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-3184562916227089932010-03-11T11:00:00.000+00:002010-03-11T16:35:33.781+00:00First Day of School<div>Well, it had to be done. Our poor Mickey Boy started daycare. And yes, that <em>IS </em>what I'm calling him these days. If it makes you cringe, well... Address all your hate mail to <em><a href="mailto:wtf@you-might-as-well-have-named-him-Sue.com">wtf@you-might-as-well-have-named-him-Sue.com</a>.<br /></em></div><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Manus</span> will be sending around a petition for a nickname <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">injunction</span>.<br /><br /><div>We enrolled him at Kendall Presbyterian Church's <a href="http://www.kendallchristian.com/pages/home.cfm">Early Start Program</a>. I didn't know really anything about it but my mom suggested it and we just had the dumb luck of one space opening up in the 6 month old class. My mom is saving us by taking and picking Mick up on the days that I go to work. Ideally we would like to find a place near us on the beach, but as we don't want Mickey in daycare any more than he has to be, it's probably good that this place is close to work but far from home because I know I'd be tempted to drop him off for a few hours on my days off. I do that with Katie already, but <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> is a matter of sanity.<br /><br />I am really impressed with the center as they have weekly lesson plans (I know, I know, for a <span style="font-style: italic;">6 </span>month old?!) well, whatever... Having them say that on Monday they will look at themselves in a mirror for an hour before moving on to "Find your Toes" is better than admitting that Tuesdays are filled with Separation Anxiety Hour and "Afternoons spent Crying".<br /><br />Each day Michael will come home with a paper that notes when and what he ate, when and how long he napped, diaper changes and the day's disposition. (I'm waiting for "spoiled-ass brat" to get ticked off)<br /><br />The best part is they take pictures of each child and email them to the parents during the day. As if to say, "Look how happy your child is here at Early Start!" These weren't the clothes I'd sent him to school in so I have to imagine Mickey had been happy up his back and out his <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">pant legs</span> at some point prior to photo time. Where's the picture of that?!!<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoADxg6TORHhrQ9C0-4eAldDuIujBSzSTRbjL66m1BpWWkcSXVOZI3pLR9spyMBAslJqITaP7QR8wGtUpAW4B2U1xBHYZmyrES4-bv4s7CUECWXcPQK70SI1HZoUR87-iCHsBIbnL9ggUx/s1600-h/mdcw+first+day+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446717865741549666" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoADxg6TORHhrQ9C0-4eAldDuIujBSzSTRbjL66m1BpWWkcSXVOZI3pLR9spyMBAslJqITaP7QR8wGtUpAW4B2U1xBHYZmyrES4-bv4s7CUECWXcPQK70SI1HZoUR87-iCHsBIbnL9ggUx/s320/mdcw+first+day+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcWKvNBO5iUuUpltDEjOX-FZJKs7b7iucPvPkwijFic9erCBRMGG9B_Vj3rshCoEM2uDsmzCUORDGDMK0latRdCUMQ52LHo3VhiI9UhXgbFG8fmdt9OSaJuHDnzB8lGY1SLR0p3mjzgIj/s1600-h/mdcw+first+day.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446717861714826738" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcWKvNBO5iUuUpltDEjOX-FZJKs7b7iucPvPkwijFic9erCBRMGG9B_Vj3rshCoEM2uDsmzCUORDGDMK0latRdCUMQ52LHo3VhiI9UhXgbFG8fmdt9OSaJuHDnzB8lGY1SLR0p3mjzgIj/s320/mdcw+first+day.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Please don't let the irony escape you of my very Catholic husband marrying a Methodist and sending one child to school at the Presbyterian church and the other to learn with the Baptists. We are all going to hell.<br /><br /><br />"Mickey Boy, Mickey Boy, where's your little sticky toy?"<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-51644061592192343892010-02-23T02:07:00.003+00:002010-02-23T02:32:23.127+00:00Bad Naked<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Do you remember the Seinfeld episode where Jerry tries to show his girlfriend the difference between good naked and bad naked? Well if bicycle repair wasn't enough to elucidate the matter, allow me to offer another example.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Monday has become my house cleaning day and each week in addition to a general tidying, I choose one area to focus on and really give a good cleaning to. This way I'll have the whole house spotless by 2012. Today I tackled the kids' tub. As it was going to take a bit more than plain elbow grease to scrub off the dirt ring, I broke out the Clorox. To protect my black shirt from flying cleanser, I decided to just strip it off and bleach in my briefs.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As I bent over the side of the tub and began to muscle through the thick layer of dirt, grime and blue Rub-a-Dub tub foam, my eyes caught movement. There, swinging in time to the scrubbing, were my breasts. Though fairly small in size, they are surprisingly pendulous.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We went walking yesterday down through South Beach for breakfast and to soak up the beautiful weather. South of 5th street has become, of late, the area for wealth ergo (I guess) attracts a certain type of woman performing various types of activities on a Sunday morning. I created a descriptive category for them that I called "AIs" as in <em>Anorexic with Implants</em>. I created a descriptive category for myself after today's chores... "<em>Locks in Socks</em>".</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Take a combination lock and toss it into a knee-high gym sock. Now hold that up to your chest. Now sway.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As Michael obliged me with an extra long nap, I was able to finish the tub and move on to bleaching the grout lines on the bathroom floor. With bleach. On my hands and knees. Example #3 of Bad Naked.</span>Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-60443321017140099582010-02-16T00:36:00.007+00:002010-02-16T02:55:04.901+00:00Mom saves the day<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After some weeks of gentle urgings and caustic hate mail, I finally get some recent pictures up.<br /><br />We got a "flip" digital video camera for Christmas and I thought that would give me lots of good footage to share. So far we have 20 home videos of me pointing the camera at a kids face and saying "c'mon, gimme a smile" in a voice better suited to calling a dog and only a few of those that have made it into the computer from the camera because I can't figure out how to upload.<br /><br />So thank god Mom got an iphone for her Christmas present. Uploadable pictures have been taken with it and as I am here at their house sans Katie and the fevered pitch of chaotic activity that surrounds her, I can sit and post a few.<br /><br />Life still feels hectic these days. Nana and Papa Walsh left this past Saturday after a very enjoyable 6 week stay (Brian and Brownyn joining them/us for the last week or so). They looked after Mick the days that I was working and took good care of us all the rest of the time. But with any visiting guests, we had a lot of dinners out and added excitement and activity thats just contributed to that "unsettled" feeling. My grandmother is visiting my parents and watching Mick now while I am working, hence my being here on a Monday eve. He is wearing her out though... May need to make a plan B.<br /><br />Hell, he is wearing me out. He is a baby of extremes. He is a laugh-out-loud bundle of tickles and giggles when he is happy and a shreiking terror when he isn't. He certainly isn't the sleeper that Katie was and that makes life interesting. These days I can generally get him to sleep around 10:30-11pm and usually he will sleep through the night, but we have a few false starts before there is real sleep happening. Getting him to fall asleep is a workout that includes swaddling, bouncing, cajoling, swearing under the breath and more times than not, a boob in his mouth. That is the part that makes it tricky for others to get him to nap. But I've told Granny if it gets the job done, whip it out...<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUW8kBnRDrGSZl2BZ6QBuzN_6rojLku1C_kAPHpLNh7aBhsD4VEDrEcNMkpUsJU8ENES1ZqocON2wF8IlaUP5j05DY8_0BLrpjbhYvM10uOKXEZfKHuiqwsKL9AmxSLHlFHxUgpAorcDJD/s1600-h/iphone+pics+063.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438660128562078114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUW8kBnRDrGSZl2BZ6QBuzN_6rojLku1C_kAPHpLNh7aBhsD4VEDrEcNMkpUsJU8ENES1ZqocON2wF8IlaUP5j05DY8_0BLrpjbhYvM10uOKXEZfKHuiqwsKL9AmxSLHlFHxUgpAorcDJD/s320/iphone+pics+063.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsKs_Bv7WpmG4aMxDZ7qL7Zu6Cw-Kbw5GMPteDLsOca3Stw5_kRndv84wxqiio71TDy706Y9zy6xN2qttCHq51jw2WsaRIkbIzvfmUOjZjHpvPERVBxOy-86LQ2b_zYt64exNm11g3k3d/s1600-h/iphone+pics+058.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438660126032373698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsKs_Bv7WpmG4aMxDZ7qL7Zu6Cw-Kbw5GMPteDLsOca3Stw5_kRndv84wxqiio71TDy706Y9zy6xN2qttCHq51jw2WsaRIkbIzvfmUOjZjHpvPERVBxOy-86LQ2b_zYt64exNm11g3k3d/s320/iphone+pics+058.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Katie is acting out in great ways too. Today alone she hit me, threw water on Manus, had a tantrum in public and attempted to eat a penny. I'm going to get her hearing tested because that girl doesn't even look my way when I try to tell her something. She is such her father's child. At my wit's end, I tried the "Time-Out chair" today (something I've been avoiding with respect to all the new-age parenting books I'd read) but the plan backfired. I told her she would have a time out if she stood up on the table again and she said "okay", went outside and plopped herself down. I have no viable recourse for her naughtiness. What do you do when your child consistently outsmarts you?<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNxMQGJ2URVf1o8yjzHZvBLtWYakcAb2HPr18qTkMO51M8sImWQ-hbub9_X6k11kyMrAfx0QrQJNGE4BNB33ipVRlxN3gTJxYCLIXIk7iYrx7fKzbSXizHeadTafhbThtYmIDGCv-iGAv/s1600-h/iphone+pics+068.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438660132100648834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNxMQGJ2URVf1o8yjzHZvBLtWYakcAb2HPr18qTkMO51M8sImWQ-hbub9_X6k11kyMrAfx0QrQJNGE4BNB33ipVRlxN3gTJxYCLIXIk7iYrx7fKzbSXizHeadTafhbThtYmIDGCv-iGAv/s320/iphone+pics+068.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Saturday we drove down to Flamingo in the Florida Everglades in an attempt to breathe new life into a family tradition that was killed by cabin destruction in the 2005 hurricanes. As there are no longer lodgings down there, we just went for games and dinner. Given how cold it was, I am glad we were not in the minority that actually camped out overnight.<br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPhF__ZdtCEuisq7zQiiHIaGhOQPGgmaTfxN_nFBme3OB2N7XoG5-iHGFyuvgHisJ4-zlsWoixjp_tIXKQSb-zhzFCZMiNGt-V64qWwSK3nfduoc7Qn868UAuiynvfy_oHckJrAPJ7Uvh/s1600-h/maliandkatie.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438660116141754850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPhF__ZdtCEuisq7zQiiHIaGhOQPGgmaTfxN_nFBme3OB2N7XoG5-iHGFyuvgHisJ4-zlsWoixjp_tIXKQSb-zhzFCZMiNGt-V64qWwSK3nfduoc7Qn868UAuiynvfy_oHckJrAPJ7Uvh/s320/maliandkatie.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0k12PzrWUk3f7KpG9PfA4QJr1DYwbm3ZqOCGWHDPzN45CrutBJTXtHbyBod4cWbdLQ8mJiHdGeBuntrrOpx0WKuQlD8JF87PnOAtlacPmUe2WAeZU5SZd5xAB0BqowYU2eTsq1NJ8Tqi9/s1600-h/everglades2010.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438639988154580802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0k12PzrWUk3f7KpG9PfA4QJr1DYwbm3ZqOCGWHDPzN45CrutBJTXtHbyBod4cWbdLQ8mJiHdGeBuntrrOpx0WKuQlD8JF87PnOAtlacPmUe2WAeZU5SZd5xAB0BqowYU2eTsq1NJ8Tqi9/s320/everglades2010.htm" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Okay, randomness.. A short video (from the Flip) lacks meaning, direction and artistic integrity but shows off the little girl.<br />Enjoy.<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwaxlWiZmld6wnF8J-73yzq-W4msJaAdcKEpocEqxO1mvGezI5Qs7Uh-YmimTjUMpj--e8zY-4ly67FxrqI3w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div></div></div>Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-63832812375448177302009-12-16T23:31:00.004+00:002009-12-17T00:38:47.055+00:00A month of OHMYGOD<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Well, we have been here a month. I did think I would get back to blogging before now. I was wrong.<br /><br />And really, this is just a quickie to say we are here, we are alive, we are back in our apartment, I am back to work, I am so overwhelmed and I am struggling daily with the urge to run away. Far, far away. Alone.<br /><br />The other day my friend was telling me about this stab of emotion she gets every now and again and she just wants to sit and cry. All of a sudden I recognized what I've been feeling. A permanent lump in my throat.<br /><br />But this too shall pass.<br /><br />Nothing like a new baby, an international move, packing and unpacking a house, a quasi-new job AND a precocious 2-going-on-12 toddler to spice things up. Oh yeah, and Christmas...<br /><br />So, I apologize for the silence on my end. When I find time to breathe I have no desire to get on the computer. Or if I do, I read my emails then swear to respond to the messages "the next time".<br /><br />But then again, my inbox has not been flooded with Well-Wishes and Welcome Homes, so to hell with ya. Our Christmas card pile is pitiful too. Don't think Im not paying attention. Last year you had an excuse not to send (though still a flimsy one... what's one international stamp) but this year.... I'm keeping a list and I'll unfriend you on fb, I swear it.<br /><br />Here are some of the latest to tide you over til </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I really resurface...<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlz8HJetzDc2zTmAHIX8BZOL1DdruwzbVUxh7MZ7F8SkYoPACvWakPqjLVI5SYjdbSbDHfws3tEpzO_6EjQg3qLGz4ii8JsF2-q48hnlQt06reSwqAtBISIGrPu5qSKcphfKPNR5Ngpa1/s1600-h/DSC_0145.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415986405187731330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlz8HJetzDc2zTmAHIX8BZOL1DdruwzbVUxh7MZ7F8SkYoPACvWakPqjLVI5SYjdbSbDHfws3tEpzO_6EjQg3qLGz4ii8JsF2-q48hnlQt06reSwqAtBISIGrPu5qSKcphfKPNR5Ngpa1/s320/DSC_0145.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> This boy drools like a mofo.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YS8jmkj9-lN5IxP-WdjFyowMcNea5nNNy5c_fUg-dcTwOU-L9v62R3TzLMOWo7M6AcqEd26NpzfDfodatU8Moo6p4pk86ZGqilZlF2Gi7jAnchpzlegwIVXn5SlALtZBpfiKsKUuRkFp/s1600-h/DSC_0151.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415986394610048626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YS8jmkj9-lN5IxP-WdjFyowMcNea5nNNy5c_fUg-dcTwOU-L9v62R3TzLMOWo7M6AcqEd26NpzfDfodatU8Moo6p4pk86ZGqilZlF2Gi7jAnchpzlegwIVXn5SlALtZBpfiKsKUuRkFp/s320/DSC_0151.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8AkrkI2CPM4NEHEJeCqGGau9yQLznbRgh6f-rj3YSYaL9QL0yok5-sCaSnh0Vz6p72pbpnxNj9C1m5JiRM8oHE6wlOYvkRIUxF_AGM3kwtPS44Eaz-QA4F6FEoJ9EV0Z8g8R8g873CiK/s1600-h/DSC_0156.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415986391372701826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8AkrkI2CPM4NEHEJeCqGGau9yQLznbRgh6f-rj3YSYaL9QL0yok5-sCaSnh0Vz6p72pbpnxNj9C1m5JiRM8oHE6wlOYvkRIUxF_AGM3kwtPS44Eaz-QA4F6FEoJ9EV0Z8g8R8g873CiK/s320/DSC_0156.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeIQrknZ4KIERLO4NhdtuJHuAh6FwoSbk1_urf-ZUtPVsfrNo6inUv5VDC-t3XZE8rOhe_2C-S6qVvNic0GUX3zc-0gbnY4Vff34ZvpZs58Z71LCW5wuqTl_NThPtWpA9CKd-V_9GWHay/s1600-h/DSC_0082-1.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415985399004336770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeIQrknZ4KIERLO4NhdtuJHuAh6FwoSbk1_urf-ZUtPVsfrNo6inUv5VDC-t3XZE8rOhe_2C-S6qVvNic0GUX3zc-0gbnY4Vff34ZvpZs58Z71LCW5wuqTl_NThPtWpA9CKd-V_9GWHay/s320/DSC_0082-1.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCwotALI1Y1iMzJikbrcCEY97hMPo5CdelnzWCA8Ry3ujLMmKi2Fh3TveUAFflnshCykG8_-WrXdkXE-3vwUGTq34qxl9OHkl8feoGAMro8HoGkm7EqS6A_tbCk1yFXo8BZEmkO3uZFpz/s1600-h/DSC_0074.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415985393328787874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCwotALI1Y1iMzJikbrcCEY97hMPo5CdelnzWCA8Ry3ujLMmKi2Fh3TveUAFflnshCykG8_-WrXdkXE-3vwUGTq34qxl9OHkl8feoGAMro8HoGkm7EqS6A_tbCk1yFXo8BZEmkO3uZFpz/s320/DSC_0074.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5F_AIKte3BUe3xhZoA46ewLP2DilE4ta8xfEF1qZQUdy8xA9ISi3Si4GpqEl0PJinosaly318oHicRDRomIARYJx-xcXSOnYjlkjPN6sVD-3QfcA6_yol2JPX6_9p9u4G4jPIrdiMO2dU/s1600-h/DSC_0087.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415985407541443762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5F_AIKte3BUe3xhZoA46ewLP2DilE4ta8xfEF1qZQUdy8xA9ISi3Si4GpqEl0PJinosaly318oHicRDRomIARYJx-xcXSOnYjlkjPN6sVD-3QfcA6_yol2JPX6_9p9u4G4jPIrdiMO2dU/s320/DSC_0087.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOUNRJag9HxTWEMnsVL8L1PKxbimCNuMU2OFAhKfwJIO9VOkF6JRPwd_UIUrFhffHBXIZvjiL8eLA8SV43RW3yFNP0qR4WEJv5NA0f4VtIQvOWQMe5wJFTGV0YORgxt6M_q1-mMLPXZWA/s1600-h/DSC_0090.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415985410836091090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOUNRJag9HxTWEMnsVL8L1PKxbimCNuMU2OFAhKfwJIO9VOkF6JRPwd_UIUrFhffHBXIZvjiL8eLA8SV43RW3yFNP0qR4WEJv5NA0f4VtIQvOWQMe5wJFTGV0YORgxt6M_q1-mMLPXZWA/s320/DSC_0090.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Tell me that isn't awesome!<br /><br />Who's Katie?</span></div></div></div></div>Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-41302983908145131812009-11-10T11:55:00.003+00:002009-11-10T12:16:44.859+00:00Goodnight Moon<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'm nothing if not consistent and as such, the Irish grass is getting so green in this our last week here. Of course, it could just be the six straight days of rain, rain, rain, bitter cold, rain.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This is my last post from Ireland and my emotions about leaving are bittersweet. I am so excited to be near my family and friends and even looking forward to starting back to work (sure to be a short-lived feeling, never fear) but I've been looking around here and lamenting all that we will be leaving.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Goodbye house.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Goodbye backyard with french doors I can fling open and send Katie out in to play.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Goodbye field with horses across the street.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Goodbye playschool right next door where Katie had such fun - great teachers and all her "best friends".</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Goodbye walking distance into town.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Goodbye cheap healthcare.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Goodbye pharmacist, butcher, coffee shop gal that know my name and my order.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Goodbye Castle Park.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Goodbye sweater weather.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Goodbye fire in the fireplace.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Goodbye unlocked front doors.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Goodbye courteous drivers.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Goodbye speaking the language of the majority. (well, sort of...)</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Goodbye new American girlfriends - had such a nice time on Sunday (as always).</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Goodbye Nana, Papa, the bestest Uncle Brian and Boo Boo.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Goodbye Irish cousins and playmates. (both Katie's and mine)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hello New Chapter in our lives. Who knows what will happen next...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Goodnight Moon. Goodnight Ireland.</span>Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-17444175060508412822009-10-26T17:26:00.005+00:002009-10-26T20:16:43.819+00:00Ongoing Goings-On<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Life is hectic and it's about to get even crazier.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">But a quick recap of what's been going on:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Michael is proving that what everyone said about Katie is true; that she was a trick baby- too easy to be true. This guy is real. Really tough. Unless he is in your arms AND you are walking around, he is crying. When he is hooked up to the boob he is fairly content too - though lately he is boycotting the right one for some reason.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He turned two months yesterday and goes tomorrow for his first set of shots.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He goes to sleep at midnight and sleeps until five. I feed him and he'll sleep again until 9. And that is it. During the day he sleeps no more than 20 minutes at a time. He is not getting enough sleep and is all the more fussy for it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He is impossible to burp and has stinky farts. He just went 3 days without a poop. I think it's time for an intervention. A little prune juice by proxy. Lucky me. I just love the stuff.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Katie is struggling with this "share mommy" thing. She asks for her </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">binky</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> all the time, wants up on my lap any time she sees me holding Michael and tries to belly up to the boob bar for cocktail hour. I give her the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">binky</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and fit both of them up on my lap but mama ain't "got milk?" for that little gal anymore.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She watches a LOT of </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">tv</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> these days. She has forgotten her </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ABCs</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and thinks the sole purpose for numbers six, two and four is to get the Disney channel on the remote.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">At least once a day both of them decide to meltdown simultaneously. The sound of two kids wailing is worse than nails on a chalkboard. I stand frozen, nauseous and forlorn. I laugh to keep from crying and think, "</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >this</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> is my life?!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Michael was baptized last Monday evening. We chose Oct 19</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">th</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> as it is the anniversary of his namesake's death. He wore the same gown that Katie wore which was the same gown every Walsh since 1911 was baptized in. And we got no pictures of it. Horrible second child syndrome.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Have a few pics taken of the service but they are shit and I look like a bloated cow so they will not be posted. But the important thing is we have another Catholic in the family. thank heavens.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My cousin Erin had her second daughter on Friday. She sent pictures but I can't download them on this archaic </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">fuckbox</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> of a computer. Pretty baby from the looks of it and they named her Bella. You know you can't give that name to an ugly kid.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In the last week my computer died, my </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ipod</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> went on the fritz and </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">lightbulbs</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> burned out in the lamp by my bed, Katie's nightlight and TWICE in my mighty mini reading light. I'm afraid to hug Granny with the pacemaker.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">internet</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> browsing/email sending/</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">facebook</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> stalking/blog posting has been severely compromised as I have to use the old laptop that, as you may have noticed, posts blank blogs, randomly deletes whole paragraphs of text and makes noises like a giraffe trying to mate with a turtle.</span><br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Manus</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and Katie caught a cold and gave it to Michael. Further complicating the sleep thing was the sound of Walsh Family Synchronized Night Coughing competitions. In a muted panic, I took Mick to the doctor when we passed the two week mark of the cold yet hadn't passed the eight week mark of his</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" > life</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. He got miraculously better the next day. Something magic about shelling out 50 euro(80 bucks) to the doctor. But, any parent knows; peace of mind is priceless.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I went out with </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Manus</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and his brother Friday night for a charity show. I was out from 8 to 11:30pm and it was the longest I'd been away from the children since baby was born. The show was so boring (all about hurling) so I sat and played Texas </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hold'Em</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> on </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Manus</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">' blackberry. </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Manus</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> apologized for dragging me to something I had no interest in. I was slugging down Bud Lights and NOT holding a baby/soothing a toddler. I WAS IN HEAVEN.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">All this is going on as we embark on MAJOR LIFE CHANGE No. 763 "Moving Back to Miami". Three weeks from yesterday we land in Miami. </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Manus</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, myself, two kids, a car seat, two strollers and our maximum allowance of 6 suitcases, 3 carry-</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ons</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and 2 diaper bags. Something </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >will</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> be </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">accidentally</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> left behind. Fingers crossed it isn't a child.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And all these bags have to be packed this week as we move out of this house and in with the in-laws on Saturday. So far the process has been slow, painful and the teeniest, tiniest bit stressful. Mostly though its just moving stuff from one place to another and into it's appropriate pile. We have:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1. Stuff to throw away</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2. Stuff to give to charity</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">3. Stuff to pack, but need to use this week</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">4. Stuff to store at Nana and Papa's, subdivided into:</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> a. stuff we will need if/when we move back here (winter clothes, wall clocks, measuring cups)</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> b. stuff we may never again take out of a box (maternity clothes, baby clothes, a full night's sleep)</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">5. Stuff we will need for the next three weeks, subdivided into:</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> a. stuff that will then be packed for Miami</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> b. stuff that will then be stored in Ireland</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">6. Stuff we are bringing back to Miami, once again subdivided into:</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> a. stuff we will need during the two weeks we stay at my parents upon our Miami arrival</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> b. stuff we don't need and subsequently can keep in a sealed suitcase until we pack up AGAIN and return to our place on the beach.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It would all be easier without the little helpers. For every two things that go into a box, three things are pulled back out. And Michael's farting doesn't help either.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I think I am heading for my own nails-down-a-chalkboard meltdown myself. Time for a shower. Think I have to shave my legs.</span>Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532354835946696231.post-20784865246738987252009-10-17T06:40:00.000+01:002009-10-17T06:40:00.642+01:00oh happy day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJZ9RpIJl2sPUYVw8L6LLGvKTVTC9cYj_y8xuPdftD45LDdKnJDmvFX-crX_IfdElNfQHjxlXG1MGrjFF25sKqvf3t8UAbgyznuLu_cR4yLhz85AuJ5z7jhjSnn0fWi8EUotUsFXH05VL/s1600-h/DSC_0010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJZ9RpIJl2sPUYVw8L6LLGvKTVTC9cYj_y8xuPdftD45LDdKnJDmvFX-crX_IfdElNfQHjxlXG1MGrjFF25sKqvf3t8UAbgyznuLu_cR4yLhz85AuJ5z7jhjSnn0fWi8EUotUsFXH05VL/s400/DSC_0010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393254720602010642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7c1NUaHOqQXlsXV8XnQKDgwiB15UiKFbkO5SLh-w2wO_jp9gzpPHXminntAUyrtd5lZ9hEktqlg0SQXndAvOO1spRLTXprSDpnWuhBgRIGj-xV9vt2w5XddB4ueq8HYwHzj30A4z8iHB1/s1600-h/DSC_0015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7c1NUaHOqQXlsXV8XnQKDgwiB15UiKFbkO5SLh-w2wO_jp9gzpPHXminntAUyrtd5lZ9hEktqlg0SQXndAvOO1spRLTXprSDpnWuhBgRIGj-xV9vt2w5XddB4ueq8HYwHzj30A4z8iHB1/s400/DSC_0015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393254711341076802" border="0" /></a>Malindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03478094577888744804noreply@blogger.com4