Hammer Time

This past Christmas, I was starting my third trimester and we were all excitedly imagining Christmas 2009 with a new addition. Then, unexpectedly my mom told us of a worry. Worrying is not uncommon for her, but we were not prepared for her latest concern.

Mom continued to share that she had been having a dream about the baby sitting with a hammer and banging it on her brand-new-painstakingly-selected coffee table. Following her admission, I looked around the table at my dad, Justin and Rachel, and it was completely quiet for a just a moment before we all roared with laughter. We were not quite sure what was most absurd about this.

Now it probably sounds awful that she is worried about her furniture when her first grandchild is on his way, but I have to tell you that it was totally a given that she was over-the-moon excited about Larsson. And she was fully intending to spoil him as much as any good grandmother.

But more than anything, this story has provided my dad, Justin, Rachel and me an opportunity to taunt her. Endlessly. Which we do. And then we laugh. Until our stomachs hurt and our eyes are pouring with tears.

Now that Tater is four months old - grasping things, moving around - and Mormor and Morfar are away.... what has he been up to?

Big Headed Drool Monster

We took Tater to the pediatrician for his four month appointment on Friday. After his last visit, I knew we had another series of shots that I was not looking forward to. And it was as if Tater knew what was coming as well because he cried every time I set him down.... for the diaper change, to be weighed, etc.

Luckily the doctor looked him over as I held him. No new teeth discovered this visit. Just a rash from all the drooling. (I think I wiped drool 22 out of 24 hours the other day. Yes, it is probably not possible as he and I both had to sleep at some point, but I am pretty sure I was so wiped out this week that I probably drooled all over my pillow in my sleep.)

Auntie Rachel and I even devised a way to distract Tater during the shots. It involved holding a mirrored music box with flashing lights in front of him. He didn't even notice the first shot but by the fourth, the distraction was no longer effective. However, he only cried for a minute or two.

Overall, he did great. And they reported the percentiles of his height, weight, and head circumference. I am never quite sure what to do with the info, but anyway... While Tater's height and weight are below the 50th percentile, his head circumference is above the 80th percentile. Rachel and I were contemplating the report, and we think Tater looks proportional. (Of course, you would be hard pressed to convince us that he is even a hair shy of perfection.) Rachel finally asked, "What kind of giant-ass babies are out there.... with tiny heads?"

Wisdom of a Four Month Old

Today marks four months that we have been blessed with the amazing baby Larsson.

He is a baby on the move and itching to crawl and get into everything. He treats us everyday with a new trick or something that he has learned. And truth be told, I think we learn just as much from him as well, such as:

• Be flexible.
• Schedules are always subject to change.
• Each must follow their own course. (8 weeks is not too early for a tooth. 14 weeks is a great time to roll from back to stomach and stomach to back.)
• Stop, listen and observe before you jump into a situation.
• A baby's smile is the best medicine in the world.

Happy 4 months, Tater! We love you.

Marriage Advice for Josefina and Daniel

Wishing you health and happiness on your wedding day! Wish we could be there!

Message from Larsson:

Whatcha Talkin Bout?..

Mormor and Morfar are gone for 2.5 more weeks?

Happy Father's Day 2009

It was not the normal Father's Day weekend for us. We were very busy between Atlanta, Newnan and Pine Mountain. We had a nice weekeind, and hopefully Justin felt sufficiently appreciated on his first Father's Day.

Fortunately or unfortunately, he received his Father's Day gift several weeks early because I love giving gifts and could not keep it a secret until then. So Deddy got his framed picture of Tater for his office and his Banjo Minnow early. (If you don't know because you have not recently been up at all hours of the night, turning on the TV to keep you awake, and finding nothing on but infomercials... the banjo minnow is a set of fishing lures that claim to mimic the movements of real fish better than other lures on the market. I have never seen Justin get so excited about a gift before.)

I took Justin out to dinner on Friday night and on Saturday night, we grilled out with my in-laws. In an ironic twist, the men did much of the cooking - grilling up steaks and salmon. And we ate well. Sunday, Justin went fishing with nieces, nephew, and his brother. They caught a lot of fish - I am sure it was the call of the banjo minnow.

For my own father, we saw him and my mom off on their three week trip to Sweden for my cousin's wedding. We plan to celebrate with him when they return, but hopefully he knows that we love and appreciate him just the same.

The Most Interesting Thing... That Didn't Happen to Me.

My boss is in Mongolia - I was saying the other day as I was relaying to a friend about how busy it has been at work (hence a decrease in blog posts).

And it sounds like I made that up.

But the fact of the matter is that my boss is actually in Mongolia on an unexpected trip.

Last week, she and her hubby received a formal invitation from their friend to attend his presidential inauguration. The President Elect of Mongolia.

The invitation had been somehow delayed or lost. However, in contacting the gentleman, he requested she and her husband both make every effort to join him on this momentous event. She said she had never been personally asked to attend such an occassion, and so naturally, she felt like she should be there.

And naturally, I was curious. So, I did what one does these days when they want to know more on a subject.

I googled.

And I got a Wikipedia page on her husband. It turns out that he is the great grandson of a former US president. Who knew? I have worked with her for nearly a year and had no idea...

And then I asked her... and found out they are actually connected to this gentleman in Mongolia through that well-known and respected university in Boston.

So they are attending the inaugural ceremony as part of the US delegation this weekend. And hopefully she is fully enjoying this opportunity (she deserves it) while I cover the work front. When she returns I CANNOT wait to hear every detail.

Getting to Know Your Barista

I am addicted to chai tea. I have to go to the coffee store almost daily for my chai. It is usually pretty routine - pull up to the drive thru walkie talkie system, exchange pleasantries, place my order,....

"I'd like a grande non-fat chai tea latte."

"That will be $3.85. please drive around."

I pull up and usually sit behind a car or two because this place is always busy.

But the other day as I waited in the drive thru line, I noticed that it was taking an extraordinarily long time and the person in front of me seemed to be chatting it up with the person at the window. Then finally, they drove off and it was my turn.

I pull up to the window and hand over my card to pay. The cashier confirmed my order and let me know the tea was coming up. Then, he looked at me, contemplated something for a moment and broke into song.

Ok?!?!?

I don't remember all the words now, just a few key phrases. "Her name is Rebecka and she likes the non-fat chai.... ... when she smiles.... and her husband is so lucky..."

Then he hands me the chai and begins to sing the chorus again. Normally, this would be the point where one departs, but, well, what are you gonna do when someone writes and sings a song for you right there on the spot?

Let's Get It Started

Last weekend was our Annual Neighborhood Block Party, which was a lot of fun. Justin and I joined the Planning Committee this year. Everyone had such a good time that the party went from 2 until 10:30 p.m.

Here is Tater getting ready to head outside in his new hat with UV protection.

The party-goers enjoyed a deejay, food from local vendors, sunshine, and great company. We also discovered Larsson is a Black-eyed Peas fan, when the deejay played "Let's Get It Started."


The kids had lots of fun with chalk and bouncy "cages" (as one neighbor described them).

Kiran and Oliver took a break from jumping to finding sticks and bugs.

We also invited our local police and firemen. I think there were nine cop cars there at one time, and they were a pleasure to speak with and even gave rides in the backseat to some neighbors. (But I thought I'd forego that experience, as well as the handcuffs.)

We just wondered where all those police were at 5:00 the next morning when an convoy of SUVs came down the street with pounding bass and woke us up.

Hudson (4) from next door gets behind the wheel of fire truck #8.

Who's In Charge Here?

Chief Operating Officer (COO) of our Household

Meeting Mormor's Friends

My mom (Mormor) is a very proud grandma. She fawns over Larsson every chance she gets. She is totally wrapped around his tiny baby finger.

She has been looking forward to introducing him and ahowing him off to her friends in the church community group. Last Sunday, she invited the ladies over to her house to meet Tater. Like Mormor, the ladies spoiled us with gifts for the baby.

There were snacks...
And cake...

And presents... Kathleen reads to Tater from a new book.

And a craft project. Janie, the art teacher, was recruited to paint several custom creations.
Jeanne and Robin smile for the camera after checking out Janie's artwork.

Time for seconds...

Tater's custom onesies courtesy of the Harlan Group Ladies. Thank you!

What a Difference A Year Makes

On June 7th of last year, we attended the wedding of our good friends, Alice and Ervin.

Alice and I met in high school in Newnan. We had Espanol together with Senor Herioux, and then we continued on to University of Georgia, where we lived in the same dorm and later became sorority sisters, roommates and best friends. Justin and Ervin met in high school as well, where they played football together. They traveled in the same social circles and have stayed in touch over the years.

At some point, Alice and Ervin met at some event we held. While I don't remember which event exactly, I do remember the flirting. And I remember Justin saying, "I don't want to be involved." He did not want to be in the middle, playing he said, she said - particularly in case things did not work out.

A while later, they started dating, and we were glad to join them for a double date, and then came the day when they got engaged and then finally their wedding day. And Justin was no longer saying, "I don't want to be involved." Instead when asked how he knew the bride and groom, he said, "We introduced them."

While we watched them take their vows, we were totally unaware of how different all our lives would be a year later. And how much better.

We could not be happier for Alice and Ervin, and we are glad to have them in our lives. We look forward to welcoming their son, Austin, in the next few weeks and watching him and Larsson grow up together over the coming years.

May Madness

... some photos from May

MawMaw put me on the table. I hope I am not on the menu too.

Can you see my toothie?

Yes, Auntie Rachel, I am working on a present for you.

Are there milkshakes where we are going?

Mormor, I'm awake and ready to go.

My new chair is so awesome I could spit.

Good night, mommy's princes.

(Tater does not normally sleep in the bed with us. They were just taking a short nap while Mommy loaded the car to head to Mormor and Morfar's house.)

Boys Will Be Boys

... no matter what their age.

So this is what Morfar and Baby Larsson are doing while Mommy works - checking out the Victoria Secret catalog.

Where Is Larsson?

Baby's 1st Camouflage