Random Email

My wife and I rarely converse during the week while at work. Even though we are both at our respective desk and have phone/email access, she's normally too busy and when she isn't, I am. A shout out once a week is standard issue for us.

Well I got an email from her today, 29 Oct 2008. I don't know what she is doing at work to warrant this sole email line but she cracks me up. Here is what I read...
"your bday next year is on labor day...fun stuff..."


fun stuff is right....

Hooley, Hooley, Hooley!!!

We went to Castletown Geoghegan for Jackie Rose 30th Birthday Party. It was also a celebration because Kelli had turned 30 the week before. As it turned out the Irish X-Iles were playing and did a fantastic job yet again.

The Irish X-Iles continue to gather more and more of a following so our group no longer had the bar to ourselves. We enjoyed the evening and even Kelly T. who had second thoughts of going because of a late evening and work the next day, ended up going.

The evening events are a little sketchy but at one point Jackie, My friend Justin, and I were in a group talking when Justin randomly said “Have you ever squeezed your butt cheeks together so hard you popped your back.”

I thought this was hilarious, because it was a random comment that really doesn’t happen and said “No, but I have squeezed so hard that I pulled a hamstring.”

We laughed again and Jackie who was smiling sheepishly said “Are you guys making fun of me?”

Justin and I laughed again and I said “No, Justin is making things up.”

Justin replied to Jackie “Why should we?”

Jackie said “Well, I had my back to the wall but thought you knew I was doing that.” It wasn’t that exact wording, because I was laughing to hard to remember exact quotes but it was something similar.

Later that night, 2 a.m., Kelli was hammered and needed to pump and dump but couldn’t because she needed AA batteries for the pump. I purchased some from a gas station and when I hopped back in the truck the George’s and Kelli were laughing at me and had my “Learn to Speak Italian” CD blaring.

We then headed to Taco Bell for Melissa and Kelli, then to White Castle for Mike and I. While at White Castle drive thru, Melissa sprayed my cologne in my mouth and I really did feel like the scene from Elf where the Lady asks Buddy if you would like a free sample and he sprays it in is mouth and runs away screaming.

The next morning at 8:15, Kelli woke me up so we could go get Allie from Grandma’s. I asked Kelli how she felt and she didn’t remember the drive home and didn’t feel to bad, but was still a little spiny. Really she was still drunk and the hangover was yet to come. The hangover eventually lasted for 2 days.

Well, that was our wonderful night out without the kid. I can’t wait for the next outing.

Airplane

Allie has such a fun time doing Airplane. We will go "One, Two, Three, Airplane! Weeeee!" She starts getting a big smile on her face when we say one.

As we hold her in the air to simulate an airplane she holds her mouth open. Consequently the child has quite a bit of drool, and the drool has a mind of it's own and lands where it wants. Mostly in the places you don't want it...the facial region.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was great! We took Allie on her first holiday tour and she was pleased she did not have to move a muscle. Not once did she hit the floor. All she had to do was look cute and that she did.

Kelli - Email

Kelli posted an email... I liked so here it is on the blog...

Hey Everyone!

It's hard to believe that Allie is already 2 months old. And I go back to work Monday. :( It's been a fun (and exhausting) nine weeks but it will be good to get into more of a daily routine. Attached are a couple of pictures of Allie. She was a flower for Halloween. And she wasn't too happy by the time she was in her Halloween sleeper.

Have a great weekend!
Kelli

Mount Pleasant Winery

Kelli and I went to the annual Mount Pleasant Winery with her SLU friends. It was a good time as usual, minus being slightly chilly and a rainy day. Unfortunately, it’s all outdoors. There were two occasions to celebrate. Kelli’s friend Lisa’s 30th Birthday, and Kelli being able to finally partake in alcoholic beverages since giving birth.

While there two incidents happened. One a guy was cold cocked a couple times and dropped immediately to the pavement and bled everywhere. The cops chased the guy who threw the first and only punches tackling him and causing him to bleed every where as well. When the guy who was cold cocked came to, he evidently looked around at the blood on the ground and said "Hey, Who got beat up?" An ambulance took him away.

Towards the end of the wine day, a guy in our group pointed on a morning sports radio personality on the AM dial. It was Brian McKenna from 590AM The Fan. He was alone for a while just watching everyone, so I went over and said hi. We chatted for a while until his wife came and got him, but he struck me as surprisingly very nice. Maybe not surprising, but some people could get full of themselves if they reach any sort of celebrity status. He did not.

So when we go to leave my wife is no where to be found. It turned out she and some of other SLU friends were off talking to these guys throwing a football. Evidently, she was trying to talk the guys into getting together with one of her friends. Kelli’s efforts were futile. We finally get Kelli into the car to leave and had to pull over once when she thought she was going to yak. We got back to where we meet another couple to carpool and I got her back in our vehicle and headed for her parents to pick up Allie. Kelli, obviously passes out.

When I get to her parents, Kelli stirs and looks at me sort of squinting. I said "Hey, I’m going to run in and get Allie. Just stay here and relax." I run in get Allie, tell her mom Kelli’s just sleeping when she inquires why Kelli didn’t come in, load Allie up and head for home. Kelli then looks at me and said "When you said you were getting Allie, I was thinking wait,...how did I get in our vehicle. So how did I get in our vehicle?"

I’ll spare the details of the pump and dump efforts that ensued, but yep, my wife blacked out on her first return social drinking outing and sadly she probably had less then ¾ of a wine bottle.

Attention!! We've got Jaundice!!!

All days now are spent with family and friends. In fact Allie meet her cousin Braydon today. It's funny people used to come over to visit Kelli and I. Not so much anymore. Now it's all about Allie.

It was around 7 pm my mother in law raised our concerns about Allie having Jaundice. Now we knew she looked a little yellow, and it was to be expected since Kelli is nursing. My wife, I know from past experiences, tends to not get excited about much but when she finally gets excited, it’s serious. Combine that with just enough medical knowledge to be dangerous and you’ll see she is dangerous. (She diagnosed a stomach ache I had as an emergency room trip to have an appendix removed. I still have my appendix.)

Now her mom is a nurse at a children’s hospital and I found also thinks in the extreme direction. So when her mom questioned the jaundice the both of them sent the conversation quickly into the direction of Allie having mental retardation.

This drives me nuts. After the mental retardation comment I was ready to drive to the Emergency room, ASAP. I really don’t want to become the worst parent ever who let the jaundice get so bad….well you know.

2.5 hours later they finally had stopped talking about it and now we’re ready to go the Emergency room. We hopped in the car, and the car won’t freakin’ start. Folks, this is the very second time Allie has gone on a car ride. One thing I do, that probably drives my wife crazy is blow up at the drop of a hat. This is the moment I usually lose it, but with the concern in Kelli’s face I keep it together. Do some finagling and start it after a few more tries.

Okay we’re on our way and I convince myself, and attempt to assure Kelli, this can’t be too bad. Her point is as long as his would have been planned, this would not be upsetting, but this is unplanned and she’s only 4 days old and we’re taking her back to the hospital. We get there 10pm’ish, sign in and head to the registration area. We get to the window and the lady asks, “May I help you.”
Kelli starts to answer “We..” stops and just starts crying while holding Allie.
The lady looks at me. “Umm yeah, we need to get a Jaundice test done.”

We go through the sign in rigmarole and finally go in for the test. They need to do a blood test. The lady takes Allie and lays her on the bed and tries to draw blood from her heel. They need two samples incase the first sample doesn’t get them the information they need. This is bad news for Allie. The lady couldn’t draw blood to save her life and after each blood droplet she collects shakes the jar. Clearly I can see she has a way to go, but she does it every time. She even laughs when Allie cry’s. This sends Kelli’s once upset mood into that of a defensive cat, hairs on the back of her neck sticking straight out and all. 20 minutes later we were both pissed and Allie’s heel is now purple instead of the vibrant pink. (For those that do not know me, I don’t exaggerate, I’m factual. It took her 20 minutes)

We just waited in the parking lot for the pediatrician to call. Our levels were at 15.4 so they were higher then the 8.7 when she left after the birth discharge. He said this wasn’t surprising, since 4 days is when they peak and to come back the next day.

We did and the level dropped to 15.2 so he said she probably already peaked, was at the plateau and is now coming down. He was right. . By the way when we got the test done the next day, it took a different lady only 2 minutes and when Allie cried she said. “Ohhh, Why don’t mom come over here to tell you it will be okay.” What a Huge Difference and that was the most perfect thing that lady said considering the blood nurse of the previous night!

So now Allie is free of Jaundice, and Kelli is fine, I’m relaxed, but most importantly we didn’t cause our daughter to become mentally retarded…yet.

Baby Girl

We have a new family member. Allie Louise. She was born at 11:26 p.m on 29 August 2007. Weighing in at 9lbs 2oz, 20inches long.

The nurses let us know Mom had braggin' rights for the biggest baby that day. :-)

All I can say is what an unbelievably exciting and exhausting time.

Kelli was wonderful, never complaining the entire time and had smile on her face the second Allie was introduced into this world.

One last note: This kid is tough. She already raised her head off my shoulders on the first day!! Also hospital foldout chair beds are not comfortable.

Carpool-4

Kelli and I carpooled again today. We have our last and final Baby Class tonight, “Baby Care and Parenting” after work.

So on our way to my work, it occurred to me Kelli was supposed to pay our tax guy for our taxes from April. She hadn’t in 3 months so I did. However, since her farm stuff drug our taxes way down and we weren’t getting a return I told her this was her responsibility.

“Kelli, you owe me money”, I said.
“For what?”
“Taxes that I had to pay for you.”
“Oh.” she shrugged, “How much do I owe you?”
“$100”
She then digs into her purse, pulls out her wallet, she rummages through and finally hands me a $100 Bill. “There. Are we even?”

I looked at her quizzically as this is not a normal routine to have $100 bill just whipped on a whim for us. “What? You said a hundred, right?” she asked

“I guess,” with a confused and scared look as I stuff the $100 into my pocket to bring my total money count I have on me to $101.15.

It just goes to show, I never know what will happen carpooling with Kelli.

Carpool-Day 3

STORY TIME:

My wife, Kelli, and I carpooled again today. We have the second class of three for Child Birth at the Hospital from 6 – 9:30. She gets tired late at night so I like to drive her home so I know she’s safe.

Any who we headed to work and we started off listening to a little country music. It was my donut day (Side Note: The Engineering group I work has a tradition of bringing in donuts every Thursday ever week of the year for the past 8 years. I’m currently in charge of providing a list of who brings on a particular week. On days where there is a holiday on Thursday we move up donut day or back a day, but basically we have donuts every week. If you grab a donut and weren’t on the list, you are now. We’ve tricked a lot of people but they secretly like it. It’s really a cult with aspirations of getting fat). So I run in to get the dozen and a half donuts and I come out and now she’s listening to talk radio. See Carpool Day 1.

That’s fine with me as I know it makes her happy. 30 minutes into the drive I ask her a few questions about the topic at hand, again politics. She answers with some in-depth answers that lead to more questions from me and more in-depth answers from her.

After I pulled up to work, kissed her good-bye, and watched her drive off to go to her work, one thought came to my mind. Kelli is a wonderful person and I enjoy talking to her.

Sunday at the Lake

Kelli and I spent the night at the clubhouse. It was a nice morning and Kelli decided to clear so moss and seawead from around the dock. Here she is pregnant and pissed that I took her picture being pregnant.


I then decided to walk around and take more pictures of the hoping to catch maybe a deer or turkey. Instead I got side tracked and started playing with the camera. I found the function to set it to Black and White and came up with this crazy picture.


I felt bad for the dog(Sable) so I took another one of her just running around.



Well, it was a fun day. We had breakfest overlooking the lake, got to relax, and picked up some wonderful memories on camera.

Carpool-Day 2

STORY TIME:

My wife and I headed to work on Friday. We were carpooling a second day in a row (Crazy!!), when Kelli said in a voice I didn't at first catch but turned out to be a rather false sympathy voice as she touched my arm. “Hey there. Are starting to feel sick?....you Sicko !”


In so many ways, I just don’t know how to take her.

Carpool-Day 1

So Kelli and I carpooled together today. I normally broaden my knowledge by listening to music by scanning the channels from Oldies to Alternative Rock so really my knowledge isn’t broadened. Kelli broadens here knowledge by listening to talk Radio.

In this particular said morning, we listened to talk radio and politics was the topic. Of all things the continuing topic of why the Republicans are so retarded and will not just let the war go. It’s a failed war that is only hurting the U.S. and they (Republicans) need to start listening to the Democrats.


Also, in this particular said morning, I realized that even if an “OK” Republican were running for office vs. a “Better” Democratic I would never, ever vote for the Democrat because I’m so tired of listening to the same broken record speech’s. It’s one thing to be against the war, but it’s another to throw around statements such as “See there were no WMD.” “See, this war hasn’t helped.”, and create an illusion among our brethren.


Funny, I guess Saddam killed millions of people with ant spray or weed-b-gone, or is now when we say “Well that doesn’t count, that was in the past.” Ok, Mark McGuire, good answer.


Are you really sure this war hasn’t helped? Do you know anyone who has gone overseas? Specifically do you know anyone who has gone overseas and had to walk around the cities? From the few people I know it’s described as “Everyone one is so glad we are there and how much it has helped. It’s like taking the Bloods and Crypts with guns and bombs, sticking them in the same area that is surrounded by normal cities, so it’s an area. Oh and it’s funded by the Rap Word. So, yeah we have that problem too.


Ok, what I really hate is this. Squeaky wheels will always get the grease. The democrats are going to keep complaining about this war only for political aspirations, and completely disregarding the benefit of the United States. Meanwhile more and more people will side just because of the constant barrage of complaining even if it is a small percentage. After all squeaky wheels get the grease. The only upshot is people do have a brain and hopefully those brains are used.

SLU Shower

Kelli's Saint Louis University Girl friends came to Edwarsville to throw her a SLU baby shower. She is the first of the group so the ladies are very excited. We had a good time and went to Shenanigan's to enjoy the cool evening out on the patio. Mostly they reminisced.

Highland Biathlon

I participated in the Highland Biathlon on Memorial Day in Highland Illinois.


Back in 2003 I participated and netted a time of 1:45:xx. (of course this was on a Mountain Bike, and I killed myself).

A few weeks ago Kelli bought me a Trek 1600. It's pretty damn sweet and is a insanely easier to ride, for obvious reasons, then my trusty Mountain Bike.


Even with my limited riding skills I was still able improved to a time of 1:30:xx. 15 Minutes Faster!!

As I return to the car, where Kelli had been sitting to stay out of the rain, read a book and take the pictures you see posted, she say's "Great Job!! I left a surprise for you."

"Thanks, and what surprise?"

"Car battery is dead, I guess I listened to the radio to long."

All I could do was laugh. Fourtunately we had some friends there. I'm going to take nap know.

Ice Cream Trifecta

Friday = Helped a friend move. Reward = Ted Drew's Ice Cream in Saint Louis.
Saturday = Friends came over with kids to walk to Bonnifest. On the way home we stop at Annie's Custards in Edwardsville IL.
Sunday = Went to wife's families Clubhouse to enjoy the day. On the way home we hit up Bobby's in Maryville IL.

Recap
Friday = Ted Drew's
Saturday = Annie's
Sunday = Bobby's

What a great way to unofficially start the Summer!!!

Poor Baby Lubby...

Kelli and I took a trip to Babies-R-Us to register.

What a mess. The baby arriving is becoming more real every day, but events like this kick the reality up a couple notches.

New parents picking items for a child is a difficult thing. With all of our friends you would think we would be more for sure about items we want or need, but that was not the case. We went there after work. The was something Kelli decided was a "Weekday, project" when I tried asking to go on a weekend. "It will be quick" was another statement.

Bulky items such as car seats, pack-n-play, or stroller are not so bad to decide on for the registry. However when we start looking at small items such as bottles, burp towels, or first aid we're going to need to take our time.

At 8:30 we were, correction I was, at my wits end and I told Kelli, we needed to leave as our dog had not been let out since 7a.m.

New Furniture

My wife and I purchased a new splendid Bedroom furniture set yesterday from Schwarz Furniture in O'fallon IL. (The set pictured above to be exact). Schwarz is a small family owned store so it's a place I prefer to spend my money.

Well any way, Kelli is extremely excited at least more so then I, which isn't entirely truthful. As a male I need to explain why I am excited about bedroom furniture. Currently Kelli is a prego (short for pregnant). Being a prego she has the right to slowly absorb more bed space, with as many pillows as she needs, to make herself as comfortable as possible. Only problem is before I controlled the bed space and she is border line narcoleptic. So now we are going from a full to a Queen size and I get back some bed.

Beyond that she is more excited, because she has never had new furniture, always hand me downs.

So we were at my moms for dinner and she was explaining the bed headboard (which is slotted)and went on to say it was a sleigh bed. I then added it didn't come with any jingle bell's though.

Ummm....I seriously recognize the fact I probably drive her crazy.