that's untrue.

2007 gallery, all updated.

Highlights:

There is nothing more stressful or heartbreaking than a sick baby. Miss Bean has had a fever (presumably from teething as her only other symptom is a lightly runny nose, and 3 - yes 3 teeth all coming in up top, in a row) since yesterday. Yesterday, her fever was 100.5. Trev stayed home with her today, and said on the phone before I left work that she felt 'a little warmer.' When I got home, she was shaking, too weak to stand, and with an underarm fever of 101.8.

Then, I tried to give her a little bit of baked potato, and she promptly threw up the entire contents of her stomach all over herself and me. This seemed like as good a sign as any for a tepid bath - which she hated - but brought her fever back down a degree and a half.

Now, she's actually playing on the floor, though I can't get her to take any liquids, Pedialyte or otherwise. But, she's happy. That's so great to see, after what I came home to.

I'm hoping she wakes up tomorrow back to normal, but if not, I'll stay home, and we'll go to the Dr.

( more )

Yes, Grandma gave molly her first haircut. Awww!
Also, we think her eyes are turning hazel. And, she says "Uh-oh!" all the time now and has developed a bit of a temper!

Now, if mom could just stop with her incessant bitching and know-it-all-ness. Can you tell I'm ready to come home? :)

Oh, what a time xandrian, Molly Bean and I had at the Lilypad, or as it should have been known on Saturday, 'Home of Lovely Accents'.

_evening_rain_ & stareyesquirrel are absolutely delightful, and seeing lasherboy is a rare treat which I am also thankful for! Sade is sweet and came running in to the kitchen at Chelle's to greet me with a huge hug... Oh, how I love her! She's quiet and a bit more reserved than I expected, but prettier in person, sweet as can be and such a warm smile - you can't help but return it. Right, I'm an American, so I'm also a sucker for an accent. Aw, and Jaz! I'm so glad I got to meet him. He's actually exactly what I expected, which is awesome, he's totally the same person online as he is in person (so is Sade, for that matter!). We missed you while you went to your festival, I hope we can chat more this weekend.

Of course, you all are welcome at our place any evening this week if you're so inclined, chelle can give you the details about the train, but I do think it's about $10/per person each way.

Paul and Chelle teased me for my PS2 playing technique... if you think me steering the controller is bad, you should see me bowl!

Sade and Paul both took some awesome shots at the zoo and otherwise, and I can't wait to see all of them. I'm so glad Trev and Molly came along - I know Molly had such a fun time with Sade and with Chelle and Scott (as always).

Sade was so good with Molly, and Molly loved her company, as well! Each of their faces just lit up when they were around each other, it was incredibly sweet.

And Chelle managed to get Molly to not only say Mama, but to clap and make a sound when you pat your hand in front of her mouth (wawawa), all of which we've been trying to do for months, but she does for Chelle on the first try. Apparently Chelle's presence just inspires one to overacheive. :) Molly's tryin to walk soon, Chelle... maybe she'll accomplish that at your house next weekend. ;)

All of that said, I realize that we did chat a bit now and then, but I didn't get to talk quite as much as I would have liked to somedisco. This Saturday, Scott! Also, hopefully then, you'll be feeling much more like yourself!

I'm so, so glad to have had the opportunity to meet the Lovecats, Sade and Jamie! (I'm also so, so glad that Trev came along. It was really great to get out as a family, and for Sade and Jamie to meet him!) I can't wait to see everyone again this weekend (except Pauly :( ), and maybe someday we'll get the opportunity to visit you on the other side of the pond. (I wanted to make this post about our visit because I doubted I'd get much chance to talk much about next saturday for being at my folks.) Paul, you'll have to come by with Jon sometime this summer for a BBQ! What do you think?

***

In other news, Molly is now up on her knees now when she crawls, as of last night. She's been army crawling for about a month, so this is quite exciting! I'm sure Grandma and Grandpa will be delighted when they see her this weekend, as when they saw her last, she wasn't mobile at all.

She's also sleeping through the night relatively regularly. She does wake up now and then to utter a quick cry in one breath, and then she drops off again to sleep. She's done that since she was very new though, crying in her sleep. Now we're working on getting her to really put herself to sleep on her own. I'm sure it'd help if we had some blinds in her windows, as this time of the summer, her room is still light when she goes to bed.

I'm still puzzled with school choices. Don't anyone dare ask me what I'm doing.

Right, yes, as mentioned above, we leave for Florida on Saturday.
Try not to miss me too much.

ms. bean is masquerading as a pirate today. on several occasions, she has forcefully declared 'arr! arr!'

she so should have been born on Talk Like a Pirate Day.

My sister and her husband Craig came up to take Molly to the zoo for the first time today. We had a nice time together, though it was super hot out! Between the heat and all the excitement, we wore the Moz right out.

Then we came back and I grilled burgers, brats, corn on the cob and cheese & bacon wrapped potatoes. Good shit, and no cleanup. Hurrah.

I always enjoy visiting with my sister, and its that aspect of our florida trip that I'm looking forward to most. They couldn't be any more nuts about Molly, I think they fuss over her more than anyone.

	Moz Zoo-Ready Molly, all strapped in and ready for her first zoo experience.
	Aunt Kris & Molly
	Aunt Kris & Molly
	Uncle Craig & Molly
	Molly checks it all out
	Group photo!

There are a few more pictures in the Zoo Gallery.

New pictures behind the cut of Moz and I. Thanks to ashkicks for taking them, they're adorable, and there are not many picture of her and I!

( Now, who's the real ham for a photo op? )

for those keeping up with the academic dillema: I'm currently considering Social Anthropology for a Doctorate. This is based on my years of interest in world religions and how they've affected the role and perception of women. (Thanks to quintessentialj for her valuable input about what majors fit my interests and goals!) ND doesn't offer Anthropology, but Purdue and IU Bloomington do. I don't know what to do about that, but we're definately getting closer. I'm considering a Masters in Education, (Counseling and Human Services), since I want to teach with my PhD anyway.

Do you know that the Beaner is 6 months old today? Oh, so exciting and terrifying all at the same time. She's interested in foods now, sniffing around at our meals and loving ice water out of a cup. She's also discovering that her hands make a noice when they smack things (like people and desks), oh boy - oh joy.

I went back on Nuvaring yesterday, having not had a cycle since she was born and rightfully freaking myself out over it. I've not had the best of luck with Nuvaring in the past, but it seems like the least invasive option for us, since depo made me a crazybitch, and Nuvaring might help regulate my cycles.

One of the side effects of hormonal birth control on a breastfeeding mom is decreased supply, and that has me terrified right now. Its probably premature, but even today, it seems like I have less than usual. Yes, I know that her interest in solids should make this a good time to start this, but the idea of moving her to a bottle and losing that closeness with her is scary. The bottle is just Different. Instinctually, I feel like I'm making a selfish choice by potentially taking that away from her, even though I know logically that it has to happen, we don't want another baby right now (if ever), and this is the best option for us at the moment. So, I'm sorting through that, it's difficult but necessary.

The other problem with hormonal birth control is weight gain, which is especially frustrating for me since I'm really trying to lose now. I've taken up the violentfires diet of coffee, lettuce and booze in hopes that I may still make it to that size 16 as my birthday gift to myself. What a suprise that'd be. I'm plateauing with my weight loss right now, so I need to increase my excercise. The weather is on the upswing, so I'm hoping if we have some evenings with decent daylight, I can get out and walk. After the time change, that'll probably help a lot.

Oh, and a belated thanks to sunjoy and irishguy for recent mentions of BNU and MIT online courses. I am hoping to pace myself through a few of these this year while I wait on my graduate program to start up next spring.

Also, Uncle Sam sent us a delightful notice yesterday, stating that we owe $1900 in taxes from 2004. We got a couple of what I considered 'minor' tax forms after I had already filed in February, and when I filed this years, I forgot about them and didn't adjust it. So, great. That's an expense we most assuredly do NOT need right now.

I seriously need some contract work.

I need a sign: Will edit/write/sing/cook for $.