Andy Schmandy

Eye can't believe it.

Proof that the Kipper does in fact have something beneath those eyelids. Thanks for stopping by. See you two same time tomorrow.

Mom and Dad's Christmas Present

Looks like this roughly 22 outta 24 hours of the day.

Name that Baby

Which is which? The top photo is Josh. The bottom photo is Kip. Brothers for sure!

Kip's Birthday

Kip Robert Lloyd was born last Friday, December 19th, at 7:15pm. He weighed 7 pounds and stretched out to 19.5 inches. (2 oz heavier and 1 inch shorter than Josh) We've been blessed with a very content baby and a wonderful little brother for Joshua.


Josh was over the moon when he met his brother on Saturday morning. He left the hospital in tears when he figured out that he couldn't take Kip home with him.

I hope to get more pictures up soon. Stay tuned.

Bros 4 Ever

If you're going to be serious about this...

...you've got to be serious about nuclear.

I totally fed him that line.
-J

It's been awhile since I posted any eye candy. Here are a few snippets of life with Josh lately.

Here's Josh the thinker.

- Yesterday we were looking for Roman Dunes (No Stall 123's crew chief). I suggested we look in Josh's bed since he occasionally sleeps with a car. I checked the bottom bunk and didn't find Mr. Dunes. Here's the rest of our conversation:

J - Maybe we should check the top bunk?

M- I didn't think you put cars up on the top bunk, Josh?

J- No, I don't. But I like your thinking, Mom!








- Over Thanksgiving weekend we braved the mall. Josh asked to ride on Thomas and we agreed. Typically, "ride" means sit while the machine stays still. However, for the 1st time ever, Josh actually wanted the machine to move. Brian and I were baffled and pulled out some quarters. Josh asked to ride it a second time and Brian quickly agreed telling me, "Consider it $1 invested in his social development."











- Yesterday we had an OB appointment. Josh picked out his own clothes for the day. He really wanted to dress like his dad so he put on his tie. It was all business at the OB's office.

Hopefully that will hold ya'll over for a while until we have some big brother/little brother pictures. We're counting down the days!

A Full House

On our way home from Bible study last night Joshua informed me that when he grows up he wants to have 10 kitty cats, 20 dogs, and 10 kids. Wow! This morning, as I reminded him to drink his milk, he asked, "Do I need to drink my milk so I can grow up big and strong and have 10 kitty cats, 20 dogs, and 10 kids?" Sure, buddy. Maybe he needs to hook up with one of the Wilcoxson girls - with triplets on both sides of the family they may have a chance at the 10 kids part, at least.

Odds and Ends

On Sunday, Josh indicated that he’d prefer that we call him Joshua rather than Josh. Can do.

Joshua had his first dental cleaning on Tuesday morning. He survived and proudly shows off the contents of his goodie bag. Thank you Dr. Sara!

I’ve never been much into decorating for holidays. Newton’s Law of Decorating: If you put something up, you have to take it back down. At Christmas, my gift wrap is minimal and the past couple of years we have either used a small table top Christmas tree or forgone the tree all together. Well, this year, we already have Christmas decorations out. Joshua is eager for Christmas to get here – not for the presents, but because that means Baby Kip can come out!

I am amazed at our Halloween preparations, too. Joshua decorated ghosts that were either mailed to our family or hung in our entry way to give our guests a fright. He also decorated foam jack-o-lantern magnets that we’ve shared with our family. Joshua and Brian carved a jack-o-lantern and then Brian roasted the pumpkin seeds. Aunt Liz and Joshua made Halloween cookies. We went to the Halloween party at the YMCA where Joshua painted a pumpkin and went trick-or-treating. Then, last night Joshua and I made ghost and jack-o-lantern pizzas. To top it all off, Joshua selected a costume and has already worn it multiple times. He’s never expressed an interest in or willingness to dress up before. Needless to say, Joshua is the great holiday motivator. I’ve had to suppress my practical party-pooper inclinations and am enjoying the festivities.

This morning Joshua and I went to vote. I explained why we were going to vote on the way to the polling location. Joshua selected which voting machine to use and helped me push buttons as I cast my ballot. On the way out he said, “I was nervous when we were first going in, but I am glad that we went.” He cracks me up.

We filled up the car with gas at $2.20/gallon. I love these gas prices!

YMCA Halloween Spooktacular

Baby's Sling

Recently Josh has been very interested in his baby doll - named "Baby." He's been bringing her to my doctor appointments and out to run errands. I guess he's getting ready for his little brother. It is always cute, and sometimes sad, at the same time, for me to hear him talk to Baby - "I know you want to stay home Baby, but we have to take Mom to the eye doctor." Hum...wonder how he really feels?

Josh and I were at Joann's earlier this week and they had their remnants 75% off. Josh picked up a remnant of yellow fabric and asked if he could bring it home. Um, 75% off 74 cents, sure. Later, I mentioned to Josh that we could make a blanket for Baby or maybe a sling. Josh is very familiar with the sling since he lived in one for nearly two years and I've been using our slings to carry around his bigger baby doll - "Baby Josh." I was surprised when Josh said he wanted to make a sling for Baby...and continued to ask 3 days in a row. I mean, a sling touches him. Maybe he is outgrowing some of his personal space issues. Anyway, this morning, I spent the 10 seconds on the sewing machine to sew one seam and make a sling for Baby. Josh loves it! He hasn't taken it off yet. He told me that the sling "makes it easier for me to hang out with you and I have two hands to play." Wow. Wonder where he's heard that sling sales pitch before!

We're really having lots of fun around here lately!

As a side note, it is unfortunate that Josh's posed smile is far less excited than his true smile. Hopefully I'll get a real smile soon.

Chef Josh

Josh is enrolled in a "Little Chefs" class at the Y. I'm pleasantly surprised that he not only enjoys the class, but actually participates. He is talking to the other kids, touching the ingredients, and feeding himself his creations. I would have called any one of the three a success. I never expected all three - and he voluntarily washing his hands, to boot! (Josh hates to be wet.) Those of you that know Josh well can appreciate how truly amazing all of this is.

The first week he made a cheese sandwich and used a cookie cutter to cut it into the shape of a kitty cat. He thought this was so cool and was impressed when I told him that G-daddy cut my sandwiches into shapes when I was a kid. He ate part of his sandwich. This week he made a tuna salad boat and decorated ice cream with chocolate. He brought the tuna salad boat home for dad, but ate carrot sticks, 2 slices of cheese, and the ice cream. We have 2 more weeks to go.

The class has (at least temporarily) broadened his willingness to feed himself, to use utensils, to get his hands wet, and to cook. It is very exciting to see. At home this week Josh expressed an interest in helping in the kitchen. Sweet! With a new baby coming soon, and hopefully my return to eating a normal diet, we need to stock the freezer. So, we made white chicken chili, brownies, an applesauce spice cake, gingerbread cookies (inspired by an episode of Super Why), and tortilla soup! I can't wait to eat all these goodies in a couple of months.

Josh also spent a good deal of time "washing" dishes in the kitchen sink. He often referenced his friend Suzy, who he "washed" dishes with last week. There was one tense moment when he noticed the dishes that he "washed" in the dishwasher the next day. "But they are clean. I cleaned them." It was one of those moments that required very quick thinking on my part to spare his feelings. I explained that he indeed did wash the dishes and did a great job at that, but that the dishwasher made them super clean. He was appeased. Ahhh!

There are a few other things that I'd like to make in preparation for my carb loading after Kip is born, so I really hope Chef Josh is in the house next week.

Kippin' It Real

You know how you never notice something until you get it and then it seems everyone has it? Oh, everyone drives a blah, blah, blah. Well, we don't know anyone named Kip and haven't heard the name too often. Oddly enough, last night, we saw two shows that included characters named Kip. The father on Super Nanny was named Kip. Then, the nemesis in a movie playing on Starz last night was named Kip. (BTW, we're getting Starz instead of NBC right now.) The movie, Kickin' It Old Skool, was a super hokey break dancing movie, but I had to stay up to catch all the "Kip'' jokes and store them away for future use. "Kip-napped" was my favorite. I can see using that when Kip takes Josh's toy. "Oh, Lightning has been Kip-napped!" Only 73 more days until we begin writing the great adventure that is to be "Kip-ilations."

Keep the Good News Coming...

Disney announced Wednesday that the Pixar sequel Cars 2 will race into theaters a year earlier than planned. Originally slated for release during the summer 2012, the pic will instead bow in the summer of 2011.

Summer 2011. Less than 3 years away. So, like, double my lifetime. Crap. That seems like a long time.

Cars 2 should carry my obsession through elementary school. I'm pretty sure Mom is hoping for a Cars 3 and Cars 4, too, so that I'll be well distracted from noticing girls until after high school. You don't think such an extended Cars obsession could hamper my ability to talk to girls, do you? Wow. It's all part of a master plan. Does Mom have stock in Pixar?

On a lighter note

You know you have gestational diabetes when…

…you don’t lick your fingers after helping your son with his honey bun because you don’t want to waste a carb serving.

…you have to stop yourself from eating the stale graham crackers that have been left on the table all day long.

…you test your friends’ blood sugar for fun – and it’s still lower than yours after they’ve enjoyed some nutella and cookies.

…you try to eat your sugar-free jello without your son noticing so that you don’t have to share.

…you question your husbands love for you when he eats within 2 hours of a meal or sits down with a pile of pixie sticks.

…you often say, “That looks good. I’ll eat some next year.”

…you consider cherry tomatoes "the new grape.”

…you let go of your frugal ways and buy 6 packs of low carb bagels for $5 a pop so you can at least have ½ a bagel for a snack.

...you can't read a book about Cookie Monster being in a bakery without getting a brief stabbing pain in your chest.

Three Looks Good on Me!

I turned 3 almost 3 weeks ago. It was quite an event. G-daddy, G-mommy, PapPap, Grammie, Uncle Jeff and Aunt Liz all came into town to celebrate with me. Nini, Cody, Claire, Art and Catherine came over as well. Even Shawn and Shannon stopped by. The abundance of playmates was AWESOME!

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves, but must add three notes:

First, I gotta give props to Grammie and PapPap for wearing yellow shirts at my party! I can dig it!


Second, what is up with Claire making out with my Baby Josh doll? Is that what girls do? Claire, babe, I don't know what kind of parties you've been going to!

Third, one of my gifts - really a gift to all mankind - is that Mom finally donated the "Project Exploration" shirt that she is wearing in the picture below. She's had that thing since elementary school. That's just not cool "old school."

I loved having everyone around for my birthday. That was hands down the best gift of all!

My personal stylist

Josh's interest in my attire is curious, at the very least. Today, after getting dressed, I walked into the living room and the following conversation ensued.

J: That’s NOT fine Mom!

M: What’s not fine?

J: Your clothes.

M: Why?

J: Because I want you to wear yellow.

M: I don’t have any yellow clothes.

J: Yes, you do. You have a yellow shirt in your closet. It is yellow with clown hands on it.

For the record, the shirt that I had on had yellow on it but was unsatisfactory because it was not entirely yellow. I didn't change my clothes and everyone survived.

THAT kid

Do you remember that kid in elementary school who would turn his eyelids inside out and drink milk through his nose? Yea, sad, I think that may be Josh. He's already pulling his eyelids away from his eyes and asking, "Can you do this?" Boys are so weird. Hopefully he and his brother will understand each other when I cannot.

Josh's Little Brother

Affectionately referred to as "Octane Gain" by Josh. We're likely to settle on a different name when it comes time to fill out the birth certificate.

Oops!...I did it again!

We've long suspected that I would develop gestational diabetes with this pregnancy as I did when I was pregnant with Josh. A small part of me hoped that I may escape the diagnosis, but a much larger part of me has been on the look out for it to onset. Diana gave me a heads up that I should start checking my blood sugars as soon as 20 weeks along, so I borrowed Marti's glucose meter and started right at 20 weeks. All good. Wow! I decided to take a break from testing. My fingers hurt.

I resumed testing at 22 weeks and the results were entirely different. In retrospect, the second half of week 21 did exhibit signs of diabetes. Last weekend, after lunch at Firehouse subs (a.k.a a carb crazy lunch) I checked my blood sugar - game on! I immediately started to follow my diabetic food plan from 3 years ago and within a couple of days felt a lot better. Thankfully my blood sugar is currently controlled by diet alone. I had an OB appointment today, so last night, to ensure that I really am diabetic, I performed my "Wendy's #1 Combo Meal" test. I blew that one out of the park! My blood sugar was 171 two hours after the meal (the goal is to be less than 120). I spent the next 30 minutes walking laps around the house to lower my blood sugar before bedtime.

Since I masterfully proved my diabetic status, my OB is allowing me to skip the glucose test and is accepting the diagnosis of gestational diabetes without further testing. Although I'll miss that last sweet drink in the lab, I am thankful that I can avoid a long lab visit with Josh and will not have to work at bringing my blood sugar down after the test. Honestly, the way that I feel when my blood sugar is too high is motivation enough to stick to the diet. Of course, that doesn't stop me from planning my post-delivery feast. With Josh it was a 14 inch Delaware sub. We'll be in a different hospital with different restaurants nearby this time so I'll have to find something else. I could always repeat the "Wendy's #1 Combo Meal" test. Yummy!

Today, as I thought about the next 18-20 weeks of low-carbing it up, I thought about my pregnancy with Josh. I entered a contest with Dryer's Ice Cream and won enough ice cream for a 100 person block party. In the summer of 2005, 8 months pregnant, I served ice cream in our driveway to our neighbors. It was so funny because I couldn't eat a spoon full of it due to the diabetes and my milk allergy. I wonder what ironic circumstances we will experience this go round. Back to my carrot sticks....

Even better than new potties!

I (mom) have battled (no overstatement there) Iritis for 8.5 years. In short, iritis is the inflammation of the iris, which is the colored part of your eye that is a muscle that dilates the pupil and is attached to the lens. It causes terrible pain and sensitivity to light, in addition to a host of other potential problems. Then again, the treatment has its own issues. Moving on to the point here , today at my check-up, for the first time in who knows how long, my eyes were FREE of inflammation. Not one cell of inflammation lingering. Nope. None. Zip. Zero.

Wow! This has happened less than a handful of times since the iritis onset in 2000. I may flare again tomorrow or in 6 months, but right now, I'm free and clear! Though my current daily treatment will not change, if all continues well, I have been released from the doctor until November! (Typically, I see him monthly, if not weekly.) This is a blessing to be celebrated. Probably even a bit bigger than the new toilets.

Toilet Timeline

Our master bath toilet has required Brian to creatively repair it numerous times. Today, the insides collapsed. Here's the amazing tale of God's provision.

1:30pm: I call Brian asking for advice on the toilet. Something snapped, it wouldn't stop running, and the tank was nearly overflowing.

1:50pm: Brian comes home to take a look at the toilet and pronounces it DOA. We could get it fixed for $75 with our home warranty, but replacing the dingy 23+ year old toilet seemed like a better use of money. Let's review what the city has to offer.

2:00pm: I call the city to ensure their free toilet program is still in effect, the 7-10 day turn around on receiving the toilets is accurate, and review the procedure for procuring our new water efficient potties. The city says we can come down and get vouchers and pick up our toilets immediately - no 7-10 day wait!

2:20pm: Josh and I are on our way downtown with our free toilet application in hand.

3:00pm: We have our free toilet vouchers (and free parking downtown).

3:30pm: Our free toilets are loaded into our car.

3:45pm: On the way home I called the plumber recommended by the toilet supplier for a price quote. Less than I expected and he can stop by on his way home to Round Rock tonight.

5:10pm: The plumber arrives. He's personable, clean, and reveals no crack.

6:45pm: Two new toilets and shut off values installed. Old toilets hauled off.

Seriously, are you blown away? Five hours! God definitely cares about the details of our lives. Even more, the city will reimburse us for part (more than half) of the installation so we'll end up paying $100 for 2 new 1.28 gallon per flush toilets INSTALLED! And we're gunna save money on our water bill. I love the city's conservation and efficiency programs! This pregnant mom says thank God for our new potties!

Kickin' It in Cali

Catching some rays at the beach.


Racing Dale v.s. Dale Jr. at Uncle TJ & Aunt Dawn's


Helping Bob in his workshop.


Loving every minute with PapPap, Grammie, and my cousins.



Tommy and I have been racing buddies all week long!

Hoedown

Super Big Boy

On Wednesday, Josh and I joined some friends for a dip in Hamilton Pool. Josh enjoyed splashing around in the shallow parts of the pool, however, my proudest moments were in the getting to the pool and back to the car. There is a 1/4 mile hike from the parking lot down into the canyon to get to the pool. The trail only allows foot traffic. I suspected that I would end up carrying Josh for most of the hike since it is rough terrain and he isn't much for "danger." I even brought the sling just in case. Josh surprised me though. I threw out the "you're a big boy" card and he took it. He hiked all but maybe 10 feet (which was a very steep section going in) of the half mile trek. He even fell three times, scraped his knees, and got back up. We weren't going quickly by any means, but he took one of my hands, and one step at a time, and he made it. It was so not a Josh thing to do. It was scary and dangerous and uncomfortable. I'm so proud of him. He even wants to go back! He is becoming a super big boy.

The Princess Diaries

Mom: OK Josh, let me get dressed and we'll go run our errands.

(Returns in T-shirt and shorts)

Josh: Uhhhh, no. You should wear a pretty dress.

Mom: OK. How about I wear the dress I wore yesterday? (not really asking, telling)

Josh: No, you should wear a pretty dress. (Burn!) I want you to wear the one with flowers on it.

Mom: Well, that dress is for when the baby is bigger and my stomach is bigger. It's too big for me now. (Pulls out another dress.) How about this one?

Josh: Sure. (Pronounced thure).

(Mom puts on new dress.)

Josh: Now you should twirl around.

(Mom twirls.)

Josh: That's a really pretty dress. Dresses are for princesses too!

Mom: Am I a princess?

{interjection -- Dad has not yet explained to Josh that there is only one correct answer to that question}

Josh: No, you're a mom. {also known as the wrong answer}


Josh: Princesses only twirl, they don't walk. Can you twirl again?

(Mom twirls again.)

Josh: Your dress sure gets big. It might not fit through the door.

Mom: Let's just go.

{Dad: Princess.... maybe not... Honored Queen.... YES INDEED!!!}

I Was Expecting Lumps of Coal....

Conversation in the car today:

Josh: At Christmas time I will get 3 surprises.

Mom: OK.

J: At Christmas time when the baby comes I will get 3 surprises: a Lightning TV, a Mater watch, and a Lightning lamp.

M: So you want a Lightning TV, a Mater watch, and a Lightning lamp with a light bulb for your Christmas surprises?

J: Yes, a Lightning TV, a Mater watch, and a Lightning lamp with a light bulb.

M: Why do you get 3 surprises?

J: Because I will be 3 at Christmas.

M: Will you get 4 surprises when you are 4?

J: Yes.

M: So how many surprises do I get?

J: (Pause)…Why did that bird poop on our car?

Josh is interesting

This morning Josh and I went to an OB appointment. The exam room that we were in didn’t have an ultrasound machine. Josh noticed and asked, “where is the baby TV?”

After the OB appointment Josh and I went to a store. He LOVES to try on shoes when there are some in his size. We seriously spend 10-20 minutes trying on shoes whenever we enter a store that has kids shoes. His sensible side shows when he refuses to buy any shoes “because I already have shoes. I’ll get those when my shoes get smaller.” He doesn’t want to try on sandals, only tennis shoes or croc type shoes. Today I asked him if he wanted to try on some small flip flops and he said, “no, flip flops make me nervous.”

He likes me! He really likes me!

OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, so every day when Mom and I go to the mailbox I ask her, "Mom, did Lightning McQueen send me a letter?" Mom always says no -- which is pretty much the answer I expect, but you never know. It can't hurt to ask right?

Well oh-my-freaking-gosh, you'll never guess what happened today. Today we went to the mailbox and....wait for it... Lightning had sent me a letter!

He said he heard I was a big fan and sent me a book with stickers and puzzles and pictures and all kinds of stuff about him.

Apparently, Radiator Springs is located in Oklahoma according to the postmark. Hmmm. Maybe we can visit him next time we go to see G-Daddy.

I am one proud happy boy.

Esa es una puerta amarilla

Let's see. Now that our house is gradually turning green, and we have this nice new deck that is almost done, how will my friends (lady-friends, that is) be able to find my house? Especially those who haven't been here in a long time (rhymes with Brickpea).

I could point them to the fancy new numbers that Dad put on the house.


But then again, right now, you can't really see them at night. Dad says that he'll fix that at some point, but I know that's a pet peeve for some people - that they can't see the house number easily at night (cough... Ella's dad... cough, cough). And I'm not sure all the ladies know their digits well enough to be able to rely on that.

What else... what else.... Maybe I can get the door painted a color that everyone would immediately recognize and associate the house with me! But what color? Hmmm.... let me think.... wait, it's coming to me.... here we go. .....

YELLOW!!!

And not just any yellow - eye scorching oh my gosh is that a yellow door yellow.

Dad thinks his retinas will recover from the painting sometime in 2013

They Presented Unto Him Gifts

Today while playing with our three wise men figurines and a baby Jesus from the inside of our Russian nesting dolls, Josh pretended that the wise men gave gifts to Jesus. The first offered the Holy Child a boat, the second offered chocolate milk, and the third offered white milk. Josh's baby Jesus was pleased.

Duck and Cover

That's G-Daddy chillin' on the deck, for those of you who don't know.

Dad is In-Stain

Nearly 400 square feet of sealed/stained cedar goodness.








Tim will be back on Monday to finish it off and start on the covered part off the back door. Dad will be back at work on Monday....glad that he's back at work.