Guaranteed to make you smile!!!

And I'm not just saying that because he's my son!

Not even lying...

As I went to post an ad on Craigslist this morning, here is a picture of my word verification:

It's a bird... It's a plane... No - It's the Caped Polygamist! Curious about special powers? Just use your imagination.... Haha... Does anyone else find this funny but me?

**********

We watched the Mizzou vs. Kansas game yesterday. What a heartbreaker. I always feel so bad for those kids - basically, because that's what they are: kids. They go out there and there is so much pressure on them. For the Mizzou team, within the first weeks of the season, the expectation was set for them to go undefeated. I just imagine what it must feel like for these young guys the day after a game they were "supposed" to win. Must be really hard on them.

**********

Christmas is showing around our house. We got both trees up over the weekend and hopefully will be able to keep Sparky out of them. So far, it hasn't been too bad.

And - as an new precedent, Dave & I got up on "Black Friday" and went shopping. We figured since we are up before seven o'clock on a normal day anyway, it couldn't hurt to see if we could catch a few deals. We were successful in getting a few things bought and were home before ten a.m. Can't beat that!

Dave tasted what?!?

We've started Sparky on some rice cereal this week. He's already practically a pro, although sometimes he prefers to play with his bib instead of eating.

Last night, Daddy was feeding the Sparkster while I was at class. He told me this morning that he tasted the rice cereal that he was feeding the baby and that it didn't taste too bad.

I asked: "Did you make the cereal with breastmilk?"

Then, I watched as Dave had a moment of clarity. His eyes got wide as he realized that he had, indeed, ingested breastmilk mixed with the cereal.

Dave tasted breastmilk! Dave tasted breastmilk!

I haven't given him too much trouble about it. But, I'll be sure to hang onto this one, in case I need ammunition in the future.

On another note, watch the video below to watch Sparky hanging out in his Exersaucer. He is just getting so good at exploring everything. It is amazing to see him make visible progress every single day. Plus, he is just damn cute!

"Thanks, Old Dude"

My opinion of Paris Hilton has just increased ten-fold in a matter of a 1-minute and 50-second "Funny or Die" clip. I wonder what Britney will come up with.

See more Paris Hilton videos at Funny or Die

BTW - Did you know that Paris' parents are contributors to the McCain campaign? How's that for pissing in your Wheaties?

Numb what?!?

From the 2008 National Scripps Spelling Bee... Go ahead and watch it! You'll be happy that you did.

Seriously?*

Did you hear that the traditional nativity scene that is usually displayed at the Capitol will not be displayed this Christmas season? The Supreme Court has actually ruled that there cannot be a nativity scene this year and in the future!

Apparently, they can't find three wise men and a virgin anywhere within the D.C. area.

There was, however, no shortage of asses to fill the stable!

(Bah-dum-bum-ching!)

Thank you! Thank you very much!

*Sorry for the cheap blog entry... But you have to admit it is slightly humorous. My mom sent me this joke via e-mail and when I first started reading it, I was like, "Why is she sending me this bullsh!t political crap?" As I read further, I kind of smiled to myself and decided to share it with all of you...

A "Sparky" by any other name....??

Dave and I have been searching and searching for the perfect name for our baby, and in order to help us with the search, I bought a book of baby names. The book has everything: All types of names, the origins of the names, the meaning, and notable celebrities (both famous and infamous) who have the name.

Plus, every few pages they have a list of names of varying topics, such as popular names in other countries or names that were the most common in different decades over the last 200 years. However, some of the categories are a bit far-fetched, at least to me...

For example, "Notable Names from the Music Industry":

Now, it takes a brave person to name a child Axl, Elvis, or Bjork. But our personal favorite from the list (which has now become a top contender in our baby name search) is P. Diddy!

Another favorite list of ours, being the drunks that we are, is the "Baby Bottoms Up" list, which of course features names based on types of liquors.

We think that naming our baby Glenfiddich or Merlot might be seen as a little "uppity" (if you know what I mean), but we are seriously considering Bud (middle name of Light).

And finally, for the parent who believes that a troubled youth builds character, I bring you the "Pharmaceutical Names" list:

Yeah, because any child named Cialis or Viagra is destined to become a serial killer. Or a porn star...

Who knows? "Sparky" may just end up sticking in the end. Considering that if the baby was born right now, his (or her) name would probably be P. Diddy Hermes Morris.

Maybe Dave and I need to take this name thing a bit more seriously.

Can't Believe We Missed It!!

Being (the self-named) Queen of all holidays that shouldn't probably really be holidays, I bring you:

National Alpaca Day

Yeah, that's right! Although it should be National Alpaca Weekend, since it falls on September 29th and 30th. Two whole days! To celebrate alpacas!

I can't wait 'til next year! I'm going to make everyone a National Alpaca Day Advent Calendar, so you can count down the days with me!!

Is it bad that I laughed?*

This morning, I was presenting information to third grade students about the Chess class that I am teaching this semester.

Towards the end of my little talk, one child raised his hand with a comment:

"My dad was a national Chess champion. We have all sorts of trophies and awards."

"Great!" I replied. "Maybe he can come and be a speaker in our class one day."

"Oh, no..." he said. "My dad died when I was three."

Oh. Uh.... Okay... Well, then I guess he wouldn't be able to make it into our class to speak to us, would he?

I mean, what do you say to that with over one hundred third graders staring at you...???

*I didn't laugh at that moment... But afterwards, a couple of the other teachers and I did have a good giggle... and not at the expense of the kid... Just at the fact that the situation happened at all... I mean, what are the chances??

Does anyone have any Pepto?

When I found out I was pregnant, I thought I was pretty much aware of all the dietary restrictions I would have to abide by for the next nine months or so.

I immediately voluntarily quit drinking caffeinated beverages and suffered slight withdrawal headaches for a couple of days, but, hey... this is for the baby, right?

I also gave up on steak with any tint of pink in it; the first time I ordered a steak, it wasn't cooked enough, so I politely asked for the waitress to have the cook throw it back on the grill for a few more minutes. When the steak was returned to me, it had the distinct rubbery taste of having been nuked in the microwave. Yum...

Then at the first doctor appointment, the nurse practioner suggested that I stay away from all fish. Not just the fish like shark, albacore tuna, or tilefish that contain high mercury content, but every type of fish - you know, just to be safe.

(She did, however, give me a prescription for a fish oil supplement, since DHA is good for a developing embryo/fetus... How's that for irony?)

I was then admonished at work for eating a roast beef sandwich for lunch. Apparently, lunch meat has nitrates, which are bad for the baby.

At the most recent doctor appointment, I was instructed to avoid any foods that have partially-hydrogenated oils. This includes most peanut butter and microwave popcorn.

Lucky for me, though, I don't really feel like I'm being restricted from much of anything, because although the food that I'm "allowed" to eat is an ever-dwindling list, none of it is appetizing, anyway. Or, if I do find something that is approved by the pregnancy diet, I eat it and then barf it up. Just thinking of eggs or ice cream makes me feel swirly.

I'm glad Mac & Cheese is on the approved list, because that is about the only thing that sounds digestable to me these days...

One fun side note, though - - I am experimenting with the various flavors of Freezoni's and Smoothies at the local QuikTrip. They make the whole vomiting experience lots more exciting, to see what those bright colors (pink, lime green, purple) make the rest of the food look like on the way up!!!

Go on... Click the "Play Button"

You'll be glad that you did...

Thanks, Aly... Priceless!