Bump Watch 08-09 - Week 15

I thought I'd start a new feature on this here little bloggy, blog, blog. Since I'm expecting a new little cousin next March, I thought it might be fun to keep track of the progress. So this is our first installment of "Bump Watch 08-09." Just like the celebrities get stalked by paparazzi watching their bellies grow and spreading rumors about when the baby is due, we're going to stalk Auntie Chris. Hopefully she'll be a bit more cooperative and divulge some of the details.

So here she is - Officially Week 15. Not much happening really, but there's a little something, something starting...especially after she has a big meal. Also note all the stuff Mom sent them home with the other night...cradle (Grandpa made it for Mommy when she was a baby...aaawww), bouncy seat (I hated it, barely used), and among other things, Mom's breast pump (when was that?).

If I could rearrange the alphabet, I would put U and I together,

HAJ

The Most Exciting Day Of the Week

Here comes the garbage truck!



Yay for the garbage man!



Its so sad when the garbage man goes home.

HAJ

To the Jap-inator

Love you Cuz, HAJ

Learning To Share

Palmer came over to my house this morning while his mama had to go to a meeting. We ate cookies, read books, and played with my fire truck. We get along swimmingly, just as long as he doesn't touch ANY of my toys. Even the ones I'm not playing with. They're mine. I know...I'll work on it.

To have half a mind,
HAJ

Cuteness

Can you tell I don't like to have my picture taken these days? I stand there and look like a dork...granted a cute dork....but a dork nonetheless, and Mom snaps the shot.

He's a few fries short of a happy meal,
HAJ

Knockin' Balls

Over the weekend was the 11th annual Bocce Ball Tournament. It was a great success, and held at a new location this year. It was actually a bocce ball player's dream. Here's a look at the Grouchy Dog where everyone hung out between matches. Here's the back 40. Here's where you could kick back and relax. Here's where you could just be a kid. This is where I would've rather been all day. At least they let me help keep score.

Mom and Willie won the tourney, and poor Daddy...still win less, but he doesn't seem to mind. A special thank you to Willie and Kimberli for letting us play on the Grouchy Dog's back 40. It was such a blast, and I'm sorry I went number 2 while napping in George's room. Hopefully its aired out by now. If you wanna see more pictures or read more stories about the day check out The Princess and The 34B Cupper.

The defensive side of the ball,

HAJ

PS - Shout out Happy Anniversary (yesterday) to Ben and Tasha in OR! You may not believe this, but my parents are talking about a visit......

Month 27 Archives

Hi Honey,

Yesterday you turned 27 months old. I was very busy with fantasy football, so I'm doing your update today. You're turning into a good little football fan...yelling "Time out!" when it gets a little rough out there. Chanting "Hut hut!" when its time to snap the ball. And running around the room with us after every touchdown! Although sometimes you call it a home run, and that's OK too because its a confusing time of year.

Your imagination is really starting to come to the surface. You are deathly afraid of sharks, dolphins, parking lots, vacuums, and hair dryers - in that order. I cut myself shaving the other day, and there was blood all over and you asked me if I was bit by a shark. You tell everyone a shark bit you when you get an owie. And you tell everyone a shark bit your daddy, but I know he told you that one. He tells everyone that. You also like to tell people about how you go surfing with your daddy and your grandpa. I'd LOVE to see that one...with any of your grandpas. I'm not sure where you picked up on that idea.

You refuse to walk in parking lots, which is OK, but sometimes I have to hold other things too. So I carry you up to the sidewalk, command you to STAY, and then coach run back to my car to get my items. People watching probably want to call social services, but I trust you (too much) and it works for us. I have to give you warning before I turn on the hair dryer or the vacuum. You like to be perched up as high as possible in the room, ie. on a bed or chair or counter, then you sit cross legged and watch with such intent as if you're watching someone remove my gall bladder. As soon as I stop whichever maniacal machine it is that I'm using, you say "All done!" It breaks by heart when I have to turn it back on, but at the same time, you need to get over this.

This morning, as in every morning before you head off to Nini's, you run to me and tell me "I need a kiss!" And then you ask me if I'll pick you up later, and I always say yes. I moved your sock drawer into the bottom drawer in your closet so you can reach in and pick out which socks you want to wear each day. I love your opinions, but your color coordination is a little lacking. We'll work on it. One day at a time. Your new favorite TV show is to watch the rodeo. You are your father's son. You love bull riding, and you are always asking "Should we watch buffaloes?" You're even sleeping with your little stuffed buffalo these days...good thing you have family in Texas. I'm sure they can find a way to arrange some sort of calf roping expedition.

Everyday is an adventure and another word longer in the sentences you make. We're having so much fun, never change, we'll party next summer.

Loves, Ahmmy

Chocolatey Chippy

Mom and I have been baking cookies. Yesterday we made chocolate chip, and today we're making oatmeal raisin. Mom thinks if your gonna have a cookie, you may as well eat an oatmeal raisin so you get fiber and fruit. Did you know a watched pan of cookies never bakes? Whatever. I just want the chocolate. Especially with a big sippy cup full of ice cold milk.

I need it like a hole in the head,

HAJ

Lil' Slugger

We Have Drawers People

Thought I'd share this picture of Pman and I swinging at the park a couple weeks ago. I used to absolutely hate swinging, and now I love it and it makes me get the giggles like nothing else.

Today's post is late because we ripped out our closets, and had them built out. Its life changing really. Well, not so much for me, but for my parents. Here is my before photo......and here's the after. Its a bit of over kill for me, I don't have much. Yet! I plan on getting rid of Mom's Boppies she has up there, and all my old baby blankets and fill this space with frogs, baseballs, and candy. That's the plan.

Here are the before pictures of Mom and Dad's closet....and here's the after. Mom realized while she does have more shoes than Dad, he actually has way more clothes than she does. Whodda thunk it?

My father didn't raise any idiots,
HAJ

Joining the O-Line

With all of the football madness going on in my house now - all day every Sunday, Monday night, and sometime Thursdays, I've decided I want to join in. So I broke into my mom's makeup drawer and found her eye shadow. I think its a great substitute for "eye black." Too bad my mom's not a "Goth", I could really use a darker shade. I've also been slamming down the cheese burgers trying to get my weight up to protect my quarterback. Hut! Hut!

The do's and dont's,
HAJ

PS - Shout out to my homey Brady in CO. Happy birthday dude! We gotta get together and celebrate over in ice cold Kool-aid.

Here Comes Ike

Here's a picture of me and Palmer hopping on my pop! This is something I really enjoying doing in my free time. And I just had to share it with Pman.

Just wanted to let everyone know too, that my cousins in Houston have all moved to higher ground up north to Gammy's in Dallas. They are running from hurricane Ike. Mom, aka "Worry Wart", was concerned, but now glad to hear they gotten the heck out of there. Just in case you were worried too, I thought I'd set your mind at ease. Thank you and God bless.

HAJ

Protective Eye Wear

Does your mom ever tell you not to get too close to the TV because it'll make you blind? Well mine does all the time. So I thought I'd try these protective eye wear.

Babble like a brook,

HAJ

PS - Shout out to uncle Addison! Happy birthday dude!

Sonic Boom?

One of my mom's favorite restaurants "down south" is Sonic. Nothing can hold a candle to her all time favorite, Chik-Fil-A, but Sonic is second. Anyway, they just opened a couple of Sonic's here in the Twin Cities, the closest one is 15 miles from our house. So of course we hopped in the car and headed out.

All of my family and friends in TX, OK, and KS are going to love this. When we pulled up we saw this. I mean there were cops and security guards everywhere. We thought since this was during the RNC maybe the President needed a burger and some tots like the rest of us. We finally found our way in, around tons of police line tape. We asked one of the guards what was going on, and they said that it gets pretty busy around here, and they're there to direct traffic. What? At a burger joint? I mean, they have the best cherry-lime aid ever, but come on.

Weighed in the balance and found wanting,

HAJ

Shout Out Addendum

I had to do an addendum because I'm dumb and forgot one of the biggest birthday days of the year. Very special shout outs to Gr. Grandpa W - 85 years young! To Brookie - Hamburgers on me when you get back from UT! And last but not least, Big Jim - hope you have a great day and make Auntie M be nice to you!

Love you all, HAJ

Dollup Of Daisy

Here's the next big announcement. We have yet another new family member. And by "we" I mean, uncle Derek and auntie Chris. You don't really think my parents would have gotten me a dog, do you? Come on, you know better than that.

This is Daisy. Isn't she just the cutest little thing? I like to play ball with her. She's not so scary to me because right now I'm bigger than she is, so I can handle it. Good thing she's not going to get any bigger....oh wait.

His roar is bigger than his bite,

HAJ

It's a Plane...

HAJ

Wish You Were Here

Hope everyone has a great day!

Love, HAJ

New Cousin, New Cousin!!

Its officially offical. These two yahoos, uncle Derek and auntie Chris, are going to have a BABY! I know! I'm so excited I can't hardly contain myself. I've known for a few weeks and I've had to keep it a secret. It was hard. But now according to the gestation wheel (why do I know what that is?) today is the official end of the first trimester, and he/she is due to make its appearance around March 20th - give or take. I have a couple of photos to share with you of my new little cousin. Its amazing how you can already see a little baby. He/she needs to spread their little legs so we can see what kind of business they have - if you know what I mean.

Welcome to the family little one, I'm so exctied to show you around, and teach you things, and tell you how easy it is to have Gpa E wrapped around your finger!

Cat's meow,

HAJ

The Sounds Of Cows Birthing

Interspersed between all of the food booths that we visited, we stopped to see a few of the other sights at the fair. We were very lucky to get into the Miracle of Birth Center. This is where all the animal babies are born, and usually it so jam packed with people you can't even get it. We were just early enough. Palmer and I checked out the turkeys, and the chicks, and the horsies, and this cow was ready to give birth at any second. You should've heard her moo...it was quite frightening.

Then we headed off to the pig barn to see Minnesota's largest boar (and I don't mean Daddy!) This guy is huge and as grody as ever. Mom and Martina got pig ears!

On the way out we went to me and Palmer's favorite spot....the John Deere tractor display. We got to ride tractors, and lawn mowers, and gators like Papa Jim's. We had the best time there and it was hard to leave.

We're looking forward to next year's fair. Too bad it only comes around once a year.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,

HAJ

Eating Our Way Across the Midway

Over the weekend we honored the holiday by doing absolutely no labor what-so-ever! We actually indulged in our once a year tradition of eating our way across the midway. Yes, it was the MN State Fair, and we hit it hard! The usual guests were there including me, my mom, my dad, my uncle Derek and auntie Chris, my pal Palmer, and his mom and dad too. Get ready to grab your Rolaids....here's what we ate:

The morning started out with corn fritters with a little honey butter to dip 'em in. Who knew how great these were? We then had to try the pork chop on a stick, and it was also fabulous. We regretfully didn't buy the seasoning for them, so have to wait a full year for one more bite! PMan's parents were hunkering for fried cheese on a stick, so we had to fulfill them. That was amazing, kind of like grilled cheese. Daddy was eyein' a big glass of fresh squeezed lemonade to wash down the pork chop, mean while uncle D grabbed a breakfast burrito. This was yummy, and so much better than last years version.

Next we headed to the Turkey To Go stand for a TURKEY SANDWICH! This was the most amazing sandwich ever, and we NEED the recipe. There's no way to wait a year. On the way to the pretzel stand, we saw horsie poop. Wouldn't be the fair with out it. Palmer seemed to like the cupcakes too. Speaking of tradition, the fair would be nothing without Sweet Martha's cookies or the famous french fries. One of the new and odd foods at the fair was called a pig licker. Bacon dipped in chocolate. Don't knock it, you'd be surprised...not too shabby.

The trip was rounded out with fried pickles and ranch, a Reuben on a stick, and to wash it all down a nice cold bottle of water! We had a great time, as usual. I want to thank auntie Chris' mom and dad for letting us park in their lawn, and for all the snacks! We'll be back next year! Tune in tomorrow for more fun at the fair!

Dirtier than a farmer's clod hoppers,

HAJ